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TCU Department of Social WorkMSW Program HandbookTCU Box 298750, Fort Worth, TX 76129

Social Work MSW Program HandbookTable of ContentsDepartment of Social Work Contact InformationTCU MissionTCU VisionTCU Core ValuesHarris College Of Nursing and Health Sciences MissionDepartment of Social Work MissionDepartment Faculty and Staff Names and Contact InformationSECTION I: MSW POLICIESAcademic AdvisingAcademic Warning Status and TerminationAdmissions Committee and ProcessProcess for AdmissionFollow-up and Offer AcceptanceAdmission RequirementsTraditional StudentsAdvanced-Standing StudentsCourse CurriculumFoundation CurriculumFoundation Curriculum CoursesAdvanced CurriculumAdvanced Curriculum CoursesCourse Load RequirementsDirected Study CoursesElectivesField Hour CreditGoals of the MSW ProgramGrading PolicyGraduationLeave of AbsenceLicensure ExamMedical Withdrawal/Course Reduction/Retroactive WithdrawalPass/No-Credit Grading OptionStudent Participation in Program PolicyTermination from the MSW Program2

Term Limits for CompletionTransferring CoursesSection II: OTHER RESOURCESHarris College Academic Resource CenterTCU Career ServicesTCU LibrarySection III: APPENDIXMSW Program RequirementsNASW Code of EthicsTexas State Board of Social Work ExaminersNASW Standards for Cultural Competence in Social Work PracticeTCU Student Handbook3

TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITYwww.tcu.eduDepartment of Social WorkHarris College of Nursing and Health SciencesWebsite: www.socialwork.tcu.eduMailing Address:TCU Box 298750Fort Worth, TX 76129The Department of Social Work has been committed to excellence in preparing generalist SocialWork practitioners since its inception in 1975. As the University has grown and modified itsmission, so has the Department. Both the University and the Department emphasize ethicalbehavior, life-long learning, service to the community, and the importance of a knowledge base.Social Work has long been viewed as the conscience of the University and as specifically applyingthe University mission in its educational process. The University values dignity, respect,inclusiveness, tolerance, and ethical leadership qualities consistent with Social Work values.The Master of Social Work Program mission is consistent with the Social Work profession’spurpose and values and the program’s context. The mission of the MSW Program to prepareethical and competent advanced social work practitioners who promote human rights andeconomic and social justice with diverse clients in the global communityTCU MissionTo educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the globalcommunity.TCU VisionTo create a world-class, values-centered university experience for our students.TCU Core ValuesTCU values academic achievement, personal freedom and integrity, the dignity and respect of theindividual, and a heritage of inclusiveness, tolerance and service.Harris College Of Nursing and Health Sciences MissionThe mission of the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences is to enhance the humancondition by preparing graduates who think and practice as ethical leaders, and by advancingknowledge of health and human development within the global community.Department of Social Work MissionTo prepare ethical and competent generalist and advanced social work practitioners who promotehuman rights and economic and social justice with diverse clients in a variety of settings in theglobal community.4

TCU DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORKName/PositionSh’Niqua Alford, MSW, LCSWAssistant Professor of ProfessionalPracticeBSW Program DirectorSamantha Bates, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorNada Elias-Lambert, Ph.D., LMSWMSW Program DirectorAssistant ProfessorD. Lynn Jackson, Ph.D., LCSW, ACSWDirector of Field EducationAssociate ProfessorAesha John, Ph.D., LMSWAssistant ProfessorKatie Lauve-Moon, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorJames Petrovich, Ph.D., LMSWDepartment ChairAssociate ProfessorMary Twis, PhD, LMSW-APAssistant ProfessorTeaching InterestsField EducationAdvanced PracticeDirect Practice with Children &FamiliesChild WelfareMicro PracticeSocial Work with AdolescentsSchool Social WorkInterventions with Children andFamiliesSocial Work Practice withChildren/AdolescentsDiversity and Social JusticeResearchPolicyIntimate Partner ViolenceProfessional FoundationDiversityGroup PracticePolicyField EducationHuman Behavior in SocialEnvironment 1Social Work with Children andFamiliesDevelopmental DisabilitiesResearchPolicyCommunities & OrganizationsGender & InequalityMacro Practice & Social IssuesResearchHuman Behavior in the SocialEnvironment IIntroduction to Social WorkPoverty, Inequality, and SocialJusticeMacro PracticeMicro PracticeMental HealthCriminal Justice Systems andSocial WorkInterpersonal ViolenceResearch InterestsChild WelfareMental HealthPositive Youth DevelopmentSchool Social WorkFamily-School-CommunityPartnershipsSexual Violence PreventionBystander InterventionsProgram Design, Implementation,and EvaluationWomen’s IssuesSocial PolicyWellbeing of Individuals withIntellectual and DevelopmentalDisabilitiesAttachment and ParentingProgram EvaluationWork & GenderSociological Social WorkOrganizations & InequalityGender & ReligionHomelessnessHealth Service Use by PeopleExperiencing HomelessnessOrganizational Theory andAdministrationProgram Design and ImplementationCommunity-Based ResearchEvaluation Research MethodsHuman Trafficking,Domestic Minor Sex TraffickingHuman Trafficking Nonprofits andBest PracticeSexual Abuse5

Tee Tyler, Ph.D., LCSWAssistant ProfessorMicro Practice Methods (IND,FAM, GRP)Research MethodsDiversity & Social JusticeParent-LGBTQ Child RelationshipsSocial Work EducationInterprofessional EducationSocial Identity TransitioningSusan RahroviAdministrative AssistantRubi Orozco, M.Ed.Academic Program Specialist6

Section I: MSW PoliciesI.MSW POLICIESACADEMIC ADVISINGAcademic advising is an intentional process that involves a collaborative partnership between thestudent and the academic advisor. Successful advising is a shared responsibility that will equipstudents with knowledge and tools to make responsible decisions and to enable them to identifyand achieve their educational and career goals (Code of Student Conduct).Each student is assigned an academic advisor upon upon admission into the program. Advisorsare Social Work faculty and are responsible for overseeing student degree plans and beingaccessible to students regarding job opportunities, doctoral education, and professionalism. TheDepartment chair has primary responsibility for overall accountability of advising. Each student isexpected to meet with their academic advisor prior to the beginning of each semester. It isexpected that advising will be more in-depth in the advanced year when determining whichelectives and field placements will best advance the student’s career goals and aspirations upongraduation.Any student who is assigned a grade of I (incomplete), a grade of C or below, or who is placed onacademic warning status must contact their assigned advisor before registering for the followingsemester. Registration bars are placed on all MSW student records prior to each registrationperiod. Bars will be lifted only if students have satisfied all requirements to date.For students experiencing difficulties, faculty advisors refer them to appropriate resources insideor outside the university setting. University services most frequently used include the CounselingCenter, the Writing Center, the Health Center, and the Center for Academic Services. Social Workfaculty members limit their role of advising to those concerns relevant to the educational needs ofstudents. When students require or request ongoing professional counseling, faculty refer them toappropriate resources, both on and off campus.The Director of Field Education may also serve in an advisory function to students as they work todetermine which field placement locations best fit their educational and professional goals. TheDirector of Field Education will also work individually with each student entering their final fieldplacement to ensure that the field placement process, including preparing a professionalstatement and resume, is successful.ACADEMIC WARNING STATUS AND TERMINATIONIf a student’s overall grade-point average falls below 3.0, the student is placed on academicwarning status. While in warning status, the student may not drop any course or withdraw fromthe University without the approval of their academic advisor, MSW Program Director andDepartment Chair. In the next semester in which the student enrolls, the overall grade-pointaverage must be raised to 3.0 or the student is dismissed from further study.Certain circumstances make it possible for a student to be dismissed from continuation in theMSW program. All students receiving a grade of C or below or an I (incomplete) in any semester7

will have their academic progress in the program reviewed in a joint meeting of their academicadvisor and the program director. Students will be notified in writing of adverse decisionsregarding their continuation in the program. Students may appeal in writing to the programdirector for continuation in the program.Additionally, faculty may identify, in writing, those students who demonstrate behaviors that raiseserious questions about their continuing towards the professional degree in Social Work. Suchstudents' names will be submitted to the program director who will coordinate a review, includingappropriate faculty members in such a process.Students conditionally admitted by the University and MSW program will be notified of theseconditions at the time of admission. If the conditions placed on admission have not been fulfilledwithin the time specified, the student may be dismissed from subsequent registration.ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE & PROCESSComposition of Admissions CommitteeThe MSW Program Admissions Committee will consist of four members including:1. MSW Program Director2. Admissions Coordinator3. One MSW faculty member4. One other faculty member from the Department of Social WorkPositions on this committee may rotate as faculty composition of the department changes. Theprogram’s MSW Admissions Coordinator will coordinate all efforts with the Harris College ofGraduate Studies. The MSW Admissions Coordinator is responsible for the initial eligibilityscreening of all applicants.Process for AdmissionThere is a four-stage process for admissions to the MSW Program:1. Eligibility Reviewa. Application goes to the Harris College of Graduate Studies for initial review and iscleared for a prior degree from accredited institution and GPA.b. MSW Admissions Coordinator reviews the application to determine if basiceligibility is met and indicates if the applicant has any unique characteristics.2. Preliminary Considerationa. The MSW Admissions Committee reviews applications and assesses them accordingto the MSW Program Application Review Scoring Rubric.b. Applicants are separated into one of three categories:i. Exceeds required qualifications/criteriaii. Meets required qualifications/criteriaiii. Does not meet required qualifications/criteriac. Those placed in the “Exceeds” or “Meets” categories will be included for finalconsideration.8