Student Handbook Edmonton MSW 2017-2019 Faculty of Social Work Central & Northern Alberta Region 3-250, 10230 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6 Phone: 780-492-3888 Fax: 780-492-5774 Monday to Friday 8:30 – 12:15 & 1:15 – 4:30 fsw.ucalgary.ca/central-and-northern-alberta
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Student Handbook Edmonton MSW 2017 2019 - University of … · 2017-04-05 · Student Handbook Edmonton MSW 2017-2019 Faculty of Social Work Central & Northern Alberta Region 3-250,
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Building Access, Faculty, Staff, and Research Assistant Office Spaces, Classrooms, Cultural Room, Computer Lab, Group Work Room, Student Lounge, Lockers, Photocopying
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT ENTERPRISE SQUARE .............................................................. 7
Public Transit, Bike Racks, Parking, Postings, Safewalk, Emergency Phone System
MSW PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................................... 8
Foundation Program, Clinical Specialization Program
FIELD EDUCATION INFORMATION FOR MSW STUDENTS ................................................................ 10
Supervision and Instruction in Field Placements, Learning and Assessment in Field Placements,
Practicum in the Place of Employment, Foundation Practicum, Clinical Specialization Practicum
PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................... 12
Course-Based Students: Course and Final Integrative Project Requirements, Thesis Students:
Course and Research Requirements
ESSENTIAL ONLINE TOOLS AND SERVICES .................................................................................... 13
UofC IT Account, eID Account and myUofC Portal, Student Centre, Desire2Learn (D2L), Adobe Connect,
WHO’S WHO? FACULTY AND STAFF IN EDMONTON (CNAR) ............................................................ 24
Support Staff, Graduate and Undergraduate Advisors, Faculty Members, Professors Emeriti/ae,
Adjunct Professor(s)
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IN THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL WORK ............................................................ 27
Writing Expectations, Research Ethics, Academic Appeals
PRINCIPLES OF CONDUCT .............................................................................................................. 28
ALBERTA COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS ....................................................................................... 29
IMPORTANT DATES ........................................................................................................................ 30
2017-2019 MSW Student Handbook
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 2
WELCOME TO THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL WORK, Central & Northern Alberta Region
From the Graduate and Undergraduate Student Advisors – Kristen Raimundo & Nicole Dubé
Hello and welcome to the Faculty of Social Work! As a student you can expect many rewarding and challenging academic experiences that will enrich your future career. Our job is to help you through the administrative aspects of your program such as discussing degree requirements, course registration, student awards, liaising with the UofC main campus, and providing information about student services.
We hope that this program both challenges and rewards you and that we can help to make your transition to the UofC Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region, a smooth one!
Kristen Raimundo, BSc and Nicole Dubé, BA (email: [email protected])
From the Dean – Jackie Sieppert
Students in the MSW in our Edmonton-based Central and Northern Alberta Region - welcome to the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary! As Dean, I am very pleased that you have chosen
to begin or continue your social work education with us. You've chosen a most rewarding profession, one that will create positive impact in your own life and in the lives of the individuals and communities we are privileged to serve. Together, we will help achieve our Faculty's vision of "creating social well-being and just societies" in Alberta, Canada and the world. You’ve also chosen to study at a university rated among the “Top 10” of the world’s young universities, and in a Faculty that is a social work leader nationally, and we are proud to say we graduate many of the country’s most insightful and skilled social workers.
While I hope that your time at the Faculty will be academically challenging and personally rewarding, I would also like to encourage you engage at a broader level. Get involved in your Social Work Student Association (SWSA), which includes BSW and MSW students. This student body is a vital source of social activism, networking, and fun! Also take the time to engage in the Faculty’s events and extra-
curricular activities, as they will serve to both educate and connect you to a vibrant professional
community. Finally, explore options to become student leaders – both in the Faculty and in our community. You can make a difference now and we challenge you to do so! Again, welcome to our Faculty. I wish you every success in your studies!
Jackie Sieppert, PhD, RSW
From the Associate Dean – Rick Enns
Welcome to the MSW Program! Whether you’re entering the Foundation or Clinical Specialization
Program, our intent is to recognize and build on the considerable knowledge and skills you bring. There is no doubt that our MSW programs are challenging. In addition to the academic intensity of graduate studies, attending courses in block weeks and on weekends will be a change from previous experience for many of you. Most of our graduate students work at least part-time, many have children, and other family commitments, and some commute from outside of Edmonton. We have
faculty and staff committed to supporting you by providing excellent academic and program services. I hope you’ll make use of our website and this handbook as you make your way through the program.
In addition to the administrative (Karen and Shari) and student services (Kristen and Nicole) staff, you will be assigned a faculty advisor to help you address questions and concerns. I wish you all the best with your graduate student experience. Please feel free to be in touch with me by email, phone, or in person if you think I can be helpful during your program.
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 3
THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL WORK
The University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work, has been an innovator in social work education in
Alberta for over 50 years. With more than 40 faculty members, and over 750 students at the
undergraduate and graduate levels, the faculty is one of the largest nationally. Collectively, the
academic faculty has an impressive range of expertise in clinical practice, family violence, community
development, health, child welfare, practice in cultural contexts, management in social services, social
policy, international social work and settlement, Indigenous social work, research methods, and other
issues of interest and concern to social workers.
The Faculty’s Vision and Mission:
Our vision is “creating social well-being and just societies.” Our approach to achieving this vision is to
keep the learner at the centre of our efforts, contribute to excellence in professional social work,
emphasize research in our curriculum, and work in cooperation with social service agencies and our
partners in the communities where we teach. This approach is reflected in our Mission Statement; we
are:
Dedicated to promoting societies that respect human dignity and worth, meet basic human
needs, are anti-oppressive, inclusive, and based on principles of social justice.
Committed to learners by providing and building a knowledge base and set of skills in
environments designed to stimulate and support a spirit of critical inquiry.
Focused on serving as a catalyst for positive community impact through the creation and
dissemination of knowledge and innovation.
The Central and Northern Alberta Region (CNAR) of the FSW:
The first class of the Edmonton Division of the UofC’s Faculty of Social Work was held in 1974. The
Division moved from its original downtown location to offices on the U of A campus and in 1996 to the
Garneau Professional building on Whyte Avenue and 111th Street. In 2016, we moved downtown to
the historic Bay building – the University of Alberta’s Enterprise Square at 10230 Jasper Avenue.
The Edmonton Division of the faculty offered the Bachelor of Social Work degree in Edmonton from its
inception and, in 2000, the faculty initiated the Community-based Learning Circles program (then
called the Access program) to provide BSW education to students in rural, northern, First Nations and
Métis communities. Since 2004, Learning Circles programs, from Red Deer north, have been
administered through Edmonton. Shortly after, the Edmonton Division and these Learning Circles sites
became the Central and Northern Alberta Region. We began offering the MSW program in 2007. With
approximately 25 students admitted to the Foundation program (students with baccalaureates in
disciplines other than social work) and about 50 students in the Clinical Specialization program
(students with BSWs), close to 75 students pursue their Master’s degrees through the Central and
Northern Alberta Region. In collaboration with what was then Blue Quills First Nations College, we
provided a culturally-referenced MSW to a group of students who completed the program in 2010. In
2012 we opened the MSW program tailored for practice in northern Alberta. This program was offered
to a cohort of students out of Grande Prairie Regional College and students graduated from this
program in June, 2014; and the region played a central role in the delivery of a Master of Social Work
with a Child Welfare focus from 2015 to 2017. This program was offered in conjunction with what was
then the Child and Family Services Division of the Ministry of Human Services to senior employees in
the ministry. Across all programs, faculty members and support staff in the Central and Northern
Alberta Region of the Faculty of Social Work serve close to 300 social work students.
2017-2019 MSW Student Handbook
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 4
Organization of the FSW & CNAR
The faculty encourages student involvement in the ongoing development of our programs and
curricula. This brief description of the faculty’s and region’s governance structures is intended to help students understand who is responsible for what aspects of our programs.
Faculty Level: Faculty of Social Work (FSW)
Dean: Overall responsibility for all aspects of the Faculty of Social Work.
Faculty Council: All academic policy must be approved by Faculty Council. Membership includes FSW faculty and staff, as well as representatives from other UofC faculties and the community. Students have membership through the Social Work Student Association (SWSA) and the Graduate Student Association (GSA).
MSW Policy Committee: This committee considers the graduate curriculum for all FSW MSW programs, as well as MSW student issues. Membership includes faculty and student representatives.
Student Level: Social Work Student Association (SWSA)
SWSA is a group of students interested in actively engaging their classmates in social work related activities. Any student can join at any time throughout the year. SWSA also represents students on faculty committees and can give voice to student concerns throughout the academic year.
Regional Level: Central & Northern Alberta Region (CNAR)
CNAR faculty and staff members participate on all governance committees of the FSW. We have regional meetings once per month. Sessional instructors meet with the Associate Director, Academic twice per term. Faculty and staff members who have administrative responsibilities at CNAR are as follows:
Associate Dean (Rick Enns): Responsible for the administration of the Central and Northern Alberta Region and liaising with provincial FSW.
Associate Director, Academic (Anne Marie McLaughlin): Responsible for implementing the BSW and MSW programs in Edmonton. Janki Shankar will be covering for Anne Marie while she is on
Research and Study leave from January 1 to June 30, 2017.
Associate Director, Learning Circles (Gail Zuk): Responsible for implementing the Community-
based Learning Circles BSW programs in Red Deer and Grande Prairie.
Coordinator, Field Education (Leeann Hilsen): Responsible for implementing field placement components of the BSW and MSW programs.
Coordinator, Student Affairs (TBD): Acts as the main liaison between the faculty and SWSA; supports activities that enhance students’ experience and ability to have input into program development.
Coordinator, Research (Avery Calhoun): Develops faculty research programs and capacity; acts
as liaison between FSW and community partners.
Manager, Administrative Services (Karen Marshall): Oversees administrative operations in the Regional office.
Graduate and Undergraduate Student Advisors (Kristen Raimundo and Nicole Dubé): Responsible for BSW and MSW advising including assisting students with registration, student awards, requesting letters of permission, and referrals to other UofC departments and services.
Front Office Coordinator, Field Administrator (Shari Conley): Provides reception services,
general and technology support, and specific administrative and field education support in the Edmonton office. Shari also supports faculty communications with the general public and registered social workers across the CNAR.
2017-2019 MSW Student Handbook
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 5
CNAR ‘CAMPUS’ DESCRIPTION
Building Access
Enterprise Square is open to the public 7 days a week and 52 weeks of the year from 6:00 a.m. to
11:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 7:00 am to 9:00 pm weekends and holidays, with the exception of
certain statutory holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s Day. A security station is located on the
main floor and is staffed at all times. Access to the third floor is by elevator only, and is controlled
before 7:00 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m. by card access. All students will be issued swipe cards that will
allow third floor access by the elevator after 4:30 p.m., as well as access to washrooms and the
classroom area on the 3rd floor (3-282 to 3-295). Students may access these spaces as they wish but
must ensure that no doors are propped open or left ajar so as to allow unauthorized access into the
classroom loop. In addition, the main door providing access to the classroom area will be unlocked
between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. when classes are scheduled.
The use of Enterprise Square and faculty space on the 3rd floor is provided to you as a student in the
Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. Students are responsible for the use of the swipe cards
providing access to the building as outlined above, and may not loan or give their cards to anyone else
for any purpose. Cards should be returned to the front office once students have completed their
degree requirements, or if taking a leave from their studies. The loss of your card should be reported
to Shari Conley, Front Office Coordinator, or to 780-492-3888, as soon as possible. A replacement fee
may be charged for lost/unreturned cards. All faculty space and access is for student purposes only,
unless permission for other purposes is provided by the Associate Dean, or designate. Failure to
adhere to the expectations outlined here may constitute Student Non-Academic Misconduct
(see www.ucalgary.ca/conduct/policy for more information).
Faculty, Staff, and Research Assistant Office Spaces
Faculty offices are located in 3-170 to (3-199). Assigned offices and work spaces for Research
Assistants employed by faculty members are also located in this section. Administrative and Student
Services staff and faculty members serving in administrative roles (i.e., Associate Dean, Associate
Directors) have offices in 3-250 (to 3-266).
Classrooms
We have four classrooms, all located on the 3rd floor: these are numbered as 3-282, 3-276, 3-275,
and 3-295. Classroom 3-282 is also equipped to allow for smudging and other ceremonial functions.
All classrooms are equipped with audio-visual equipment. Please ensure that you are familiar with the
equipment prior to using it for a class presentation. The computers in classrooms are PCs and cables
to connect PC laptops are available. Unfortunately, Mac users need to ensure PC compatibility or
provide adapters necessary to connect their laptops to the projectors.
Cultural Room
In addition to 3-282, room 3-278 has been designed to allow for smudging and other ceremonial
functions. This space has been set up for individual use, or for small groups, and is available to all
students for smudging, daily prayers, and other related functions.
Computer Lab
The computer lab is located in 3-289. There are 6 fixed work stations with desktop computers
provided, and two tables to accommodate individual or small group work. For security purposes, all
files stored on the fixed computers are automatically deleted overnight; students are responsible to
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 8
MSW EDMONTON - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
With a clinical specialization, the Edmonton MSW program is designed to help students develop advanced competence in social work with families, individuals, and groups. Historical and contextual factors affecting the clients we work with are recognized and emphasized and students apply critical analysis to the interactions among personal, social, and structural factors in the problems clients bring to the attention of professional helpers. In addition to core courses, students have opportunities to
extend their learning into areas of individual interest. Field education – a fundamental component of the MSW curriculum – allows students to integrate theory and practice under the supervision of experienced social work clinicians.
Students enter the Foundation and Specialization routes in the Central and Northern Alberta Region in cohort groups. Because we use the cohort model, students should be reminded that missing courses can result in a significant delay (up to 2 years) of program completion.
The MSW is a program of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Calgary. As such, the policies and procedures of the Faculty of Graduate Studies pertain to students in the Foundation and
Clinical Specialization programs. Information regarding the Faculty of Graduate Studies is available at
www.grad.ucalgary.ca.
Foundation Program
Students with a four-year baccalaureate in a discipline other than social work complete 19 courses
(including 2 practica equivalent to 3 courses) for the degree. The first 9 courses, including a practica (426 hours) equivalent to 1 course, comprise the Foundation component of the MSW program. These courses and how they are likely to be scheduled from Fall 2017 to Spring/Summer 2019 are shown below. Students must complete the 9 Foundation courses (including 426 hours practicum) prior to proceeding to the Specialization.
Term/Year SOWK Course Format/Dates
Fall 2017
621: History & Foundations of the
Profession Sept. block week (Sept. 5 to 9 inclusive)
637: Human Behaviour &
Environments*
Fall session, 4 weekends during term (Sept.
22/23, Oct. 13/14, Oct. 27/28, & Nov.
17/18)
Winter 2018
629: Communication &
Interviewing January block week (Jan. 2 to 6 inclusive)
625: Individuals, Families & Groups
Winter session, 4 weekends during term
(Jan. 26/27, Feb. 16/17, Mar. 9/10, & Mar.
23/24)
Sp/Su 2018 632: Social Policy & Social Justice Spring session, online (TBA)
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 9
Clinical Specialization Program
The Clinical Specialization program is designed to prepare students for advanced professional practice. Its purpose is to develop advanced competence in social work with families, individuals, and groups. In specialization courses, students are encouraged to critically analyze the interactions among
personal and social factors in the problems clients bring to our attention. In addition to the focus on practice methods, students have the opportunity to extend their knowledge of the fields of service within which those methods are applied.
Students entering (or advancing from the Foundation to) the Clinical Specialization program choose either a course-based or thesis-based route. Students in the course-based route are required to complete 10 courses, including 525 hours of field practicum (equivalent to 2 courses). The course-based route to the MSW includes an integrative project completed in the final semester of course work. Students in the thesis route conduct original research and prepare a document that is defended
orally before an examination committee. Students who hold a BSW and select the thesis-based MSW are required to complete 9 courses, including 525 hours of field practicum. Courses for Clinical
Specialization students are as follows:
Term/Year SOWK Course Format (Dates)
Fall 2017
697: Diversity, Oppression &
Social Justice Sept. block week (Sept. 5 to 9 inclusive).
653: Comparative Approaches to
Change
Fall session, 4 weekends during term (Sept.
29/30, Oct. 20/21, Nov. 3/4, & Nov. 24/25)
Winter 2018
679: Advanced Clinical Practice in
Mental Health (2 sections)
One section offered in the January block
week (Jan. 2 to 6 inclusive), the other
section offered online throughout term.
659: Evidence & Clinical Practice
Winter session, 4 weekends during term
(Jan. 19/20, Feb. 9/10, Mar. 2/3, & Mar.
16/17)
Sp/Su 2018
696: Advanced Practicum (525
hours; can continue through Fall
2018 semester)
Spring session: Orientation, April 27;
seminar, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., May 18, June
1 & 15, July 6 & 20, Aug. 3**
6xx: Option (TBA) Spring session, format TBA
Fall 2018
651: Policy as Context for Clinical
Work Sept. block week (Sept. 4 to 8 inclusive)
699: Special Topics: Advanced
Clinical Practice with Families (2
sections)
Both sections will be offered 4 weekends
during the term Fall term (Sept. 28/29,
Oct. 19/20, Nov. 2/3, Nov. 23/24)
Winter 2019 657: Clinical Social Work
Applications Dates and format TBA
*Weekend delivery typically includes Friday evenings (6 – 9) and Saturdays (9 – 12, 1 – 4).
** Approximately 26 hours of integrated seminar are provided as part of SOWK 696. Eighteen
hours are indicated here, the remainder will be scheduled following discussions with assigned
instructors.
2017-2019 MSW Student Handbook
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 10
FIELD EDUCATION INFORMATION FOR MSW STUDENTS
Students describe the practicum as one of the most important components of their social work
education. Through their involvement in field education programs, field instructors and others in host
agencies make significant and meaningful contributions to students’ skill and knowledge development.
The MSW Field Education Manual describes graduate field placement and details the policies and
procedures related to students in practicum. Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize
themselves with the Field Education Manual, which is available through the CNAR website
(fsw.ucalgary.ca/central-and-northern-alberta) and should note that field placements require
advanced planning to ensure that students are available for full-time or close to full-time field
placements as scheduled. The following paragraphs are intended to highlight only a few of the key
aspects of field education in the MSW Program.
Supervision and Instruction in Field Placements
Edmonton MSW students work with the Office of Field Education, to arrange all practica. Once in field
placements, the student is supervised by an experienced, agency-based registered social worker who
functions as the field instructor. In addition to ongoing guidance and feedback, the instructor(s)
provides the student a minimum of one hour of supervision for every 15 placement hours. Students
are also linked with a university-based faculty member who acts as the faculty liaison. The faculty
liaison, who is the instructor-of-record for the practicum course, facilitates the integrative seminar (in
class and/or online) that forms part of the course, makes scheduled visits (on-site or electronic) to
placement agencies, and participates in the formal evaluations of the student’s achievement.
Learning and Assessment in Field Placements
MSW placements are structured by the objectives that students are intended to achieve in the
practicum course. These objectives are detailed in the Field Education Manual. Each student develops
a personal Learning Agreement in consultation with the field instructor and faculty liaison. Designing
the Agreement helps the field instructor and student clarify respective responsibilities and
expectations. The student and instructor negotiate activities that provide the student with
opportunities to learn and demonstrate competence in each of the objectives of the practicum.
Assessment of students in practica is an ongoing process intended to highlight students’ strengths and
learning needs. The assessment of the students’ educational needs and progress in practicum are
formally articulated at the beginning, middle, and end of the placement. Assessment is based on the
extent to which the objectives and activities specified in the students Learning Agreement have been
accomplished. Students in practicum courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.
Practicum in the Place of Employment
The Faculty of Social Work appreciates that students often face multiple demands, and may need to
juggle school with family and employment responsibilities. Recognizing this, the Office of Field
Education is prepared to support students’ abilities to develop practica in their places of employment,
providing certain criteria are met. Any student considering a practicum in their workplace should
consult the Field Education Policy Manual posted on the CNAR website. The policy manual contains
detailed expectations, policies, and processes regarding the requisite written student proposal and
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 11
Foundation Practicum
Foundation students typically complete their first practicum (SOWK 633) in the winter semester of
their second year. Of the 426 hours of field education, about 26 are completed within seminar-style
meetings with other students and the faculty liaison. Students must arrange their schedules to ensure
that they are available for their practicum placements and seminar hours as arranged.
Students in the Foundation program are strongly encouraged to get an early start on planning their
schedules to accommodate their placement starting in January of the second year and extending to
mid-April, May or June. The end date for the Foundation Practicum depends on the number of
hours/week in placement. For example, students able to complete 35 – 40 hours per week would
complete the Foundation Practicum within the winter semester while students who complete 20 hours
per week would finish in about 20 weeks – about two months after the end of the Winter semester
(approximately mid-June).
Students with extensive experience in social services, including 2 full years under the supervision of a
registered social worker, may be eligible to receive credit by special assessment for the Foundation
Practicum. Policies and procedures related to credit by special assessment are detailed in the Field
Education Policy Manual available through the CNAR website.
Specialization Practicum
Students in the Clinical Specialization program complete the Advanced Practicum (SOWK 696) in the
spring/summer between their first and second years. Of the 525 hours of field education, about 25 are
completed within seminar-style meetings with other students and the faculty liaison. The purpose of
the Advanced Practicum course is to develop students’ existing social work knowledge and skills to a
specialized level. The practicum promotes integration of the theory and skills students learn in the
classroom with their professional practice and social work identity.
As soon as possible, after beginning the Specialization program, students should ensure that their
schedules can be arranged to allow them to be available for field placement and seminars during the
spring/summer semester between their first and second years in the program. By early in the first
winter semester, Specialization students begin working with a Field Education Coordinator in the
faculty to explore and arrange practicum possibilities. For the Advanced Practicum, students are
encouraged to have an intense experience achieved through placements of 3 – 5 days/week.
Placements of 3 days/week will take just over 20 weeks to complete while those of 5 days/week will
take about 14 weeks.
2017-2019 MSW Student Handbook
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 12
PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
Students are referred to the University’s Graduate Calendar for details regarding the policies that provide the administrative framework for the MSW program at www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/grad/current/index.html. Note that a student in poor academic
standing will be required to withdraw from the program unless the program recommends otherwise and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies supports the program recommendation. Poor academic standing includes either a C+ or lower grade in any course or failure to maintain an annual GPA of 3.0. Thesis-based students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 for the 12 months prior to the annual May review period. The Academic Calendar is the final authority on all academic matters so please check the Faculty of Graduate Studies Academic Calendar for full details.
Course-Based Students: Course & Final Integrative Project Requirements
Students admitted to the MSW program with a baccalaureate in a discipline other than social work complete the Foundation’s 9 courses (including 426 hours practicum) prior to proceeding to the
Specialization. The Foundation component includes no option courses.
The course-based MSW Specialization program requires that students complete 5 core courses, 3 option courses and the (2 course equivalent) Advanced Practicum. In the Edmonton Specialization program, 2 of the 3 option courses are “strongly recommended” on the basis of faculty consensus regarding key components of clinical social work programs: Advanced Practice in Mental Health (offered in the winter term of the first year) and Advanced Practice with Families (offered in the fall
term of the second year). For the third option, a range of courses is offered depending on student interest and faculty resources and this course is usually taken in the spring session between the first and second year. Students who would prefer not to take a “strongly recommended” option should speak to the Associate Director, Academic for the Central and Northern Alberta Region.
For Specialization students admitted in Fall 2017, the final project will be done during the Winter 2019 semester. These projects are completed as part of students’ last course, Clinical Social Work Applications. The course provides students with time and support during the preparation of the
project, which includes both written and oral components. Each student is assigned a faculty member who acts as a consultant during the preparation of the final project. The written component is a paper, about 35-40 pages, which is usually a ‘case study’ of a clinical situation the student encountered in the
Advanced Practicum. The oral component is a presentation given in conference format to audiences that include faculty and student peers. Projects are graded by 2 instructors who evaluate the extent to which the paper and presentation demonstrate knowledge of a substantive topic area, relevant theory and practice approaches, ability to apply theory to practice, and literary and oral competence.
Specialization students admitted in Fall 2017 will be provided with details about the final integrative project during Fall 2018 or earlier if requested. Meetings with faculty consultants will begin early in the Winter 2019 semester.
Thesis Students: Course & Research Requirements
Thesis students complete the same requirements as course-based students with one exception: they complete 2 rather than 3 option courses. This difference from course-based program requirements reflects recognition of the time required to conduct independent research. To date, thesis students have received a small stipend (~$2,500) from the Faculty of Graduate Studies at specified steps in their thesis research.
Thesis students are assigned an interim advisor upon admission to the MSW program. The student identifies a permanent supervisor before the end of the first year, after discussion and mutual
agreement. The student works with the supervisor to design and implement the thesis research. Students submit the completed thesis to an examination committee composed of the supervisor and at least two other examiners. The two-hour oral examination of the thesis involves questions of the student by each committee member. For a full description of thesis requirements and the oral examination process, see http://grad.ucalgary.ca/current/thesis.
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 16
MSW TUITION AND FEES – FALL 2017 & WINTER 2018
MSW students in Edmonton pay tuition and fees to the University of Calgary. As an Edmonton-based student, you are not able to access some of the University of Calgary services. As such, you are automatically exempt from some fees, as indicated in the following table. Unless you opt out by a
certain date, you will automatically be required to pay fees for dental and health insurance, also indicated in the table below. Details of your financial status with the University of Calgary are posted in your Account Summary, which is in the Student Centre accessible through the myUofC portal.
All graduate students are registered for 12 months and general fees are assessed in the Fall, Winter
and Spring terms of the 12 month registration year regardless of whether you are taking a course in that term or not. Most of a graduate student’s general fees are assessed on a “term by term” or pay as you go basis. The exceptions are the Graduate Student Association, and Graduate Student Health and Dental Plan fees which are assessed in September for the year.
Tuition and Fees for Course-Based Students
Mandatory: Fees for the following are mandatory and will appear in your student record. Please ensure that you are aware of the
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 27
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IN THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL WORK
Writing Expectations
It is expected that all work submitted in assignments should be the student’s own work, written expressly by the student for this particular course. Students are referred to the section on plagiarism in the University Calendar for additional information: (www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/current/k-5.html).
Plagiarism is the use of “any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it” and is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly
suspension or expulsion from the university. Students must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.
Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (www.ucalgary.ca/ssc/writing_support/overview)
if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.
Research Ethics
Students interested in undertaking an assignment that will involve collecting information from
members of the public, should speak with the course instructor and consult Research Services before beginning the assignment: http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/students.
Academic Appeals
The following is from the University of Calgary’s Graduate Calendar at
www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/grad/current/gs-o.html. “The University recognizes that there are instances when a student may wish to challenge University decisions about grades or academic policy. When a dispute arises, every effort should be made to resolve the issues informally rather than resort to a formal appeal. If, however, a formal appeal is necessary, the student should follow the Appeals Procedures that are described below.”
The following general guidelines define the routes of appeal in different areas and are taken from the
Graduate Calendar. The Calendar is regarded as the final authority on all academic matters and should be consulted if considering an appeal. 1. Students should recognize that reappraisals of term and final grades occur at the
department/faculty level that originated those decisions. 2. Students should recognize that appeals of grade reappraisals and other academic decisions will be
handled at the level of appeal closest to the level at which the decision was made. 3. Students must begin the reappraisal/appeal process at the appropriate level and proceed through
successive levels of appeal in order, and with no omissions. 4. At every level, students should attempt, to the utmost of their ability, to present their arguments
as effectively and as fully as possible. Mere dissatisfaction with a decision is not sufficient grounds for the appeal of a grade or other academic decision.
5. The General Faculties Council's (GFC) Student Academic Appeals Committee will hear an appeal only if it can be demonstrated there is: (a) alleged bias, and/or (b) alleged unfair procedures at a lower level of appeal, and/or (c) substantial new evidence which could not have been presented at
an earlier stage.
6. Students may obtain help in understanding the appeals process and in writing appeal letters from the Student Ombuds Office. For more information, refer to their website: www.ucalgary.ca/provost/students/ombuds.
a. Students who wish to apply for a reappraisal of graded term work or final grades, or wish to appeal those reappraisals, and students who wish to appeal what they feel are
unfair academic decisions by their faculty should follow the guidelines” at www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/current/i.html.
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 30
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
FALL TERM 2017
The dates for the 2017-2018 Academic Year are tentative and subject to review
and change.
SEPTEMBER 2017
Monday 4 • Labour Day – University Closed
Tuesday 5 • Fall Term Begins
Tuesday to Saturday
5 – 9 • Block Week
Saturday 9 • Last day to withdraw with permission from the Fall Block Week courses
Monday 11 • FALL TERM LECTURES BEGIN (except Block Week courses)
Friday 15 • Last day to submit Application for Degree for Fall Convocation
Friday 22 • Last day to drop full courses and Fall term half courses • No refunds for full courses (Multi-term) or Fall term half courses after this date
Monday 25 • Last day to add or swap full courses and Fall term half courses • Last day for change of registration from audit to credit
or credit to audit
Friday 29 • Fee payment deadline for Fall term full and half courses
OCTOBER 2017
Monday 9 • Thanksgiving Day – University Closed. No classes
NOVEMBER 2017
Friday 10 • Fall Convocation
Friday to Monday 10 – 13 • Mid-Term Break. No classes
Saturday 11 • Remembrance Day – University Closed November 13
DECEMBER 2017
Friday 8 • FALL TERM LECTURES END • Last day to withdraw with permission from Fall term half courses
Monday to Thursday
11 – 21 • Fall term Final Examination period
Friday 22 • Fall term ends
Monday to Sunday 25 – 31 • Holiday Observance. Term Break. University Closed
2017-2019 MSW Student Handbook
Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region Page 31
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
WINTER TERM 2018
The dates for the 2017-2018 Academic Year are tentative and subject to review
and change.
JANUARY 2018
Monday 1 • New Year’s Day – University Closed
Tuesday 2 • Winter Term Begins
Tuesday - Saturday 2 – 6 • Block Week
Saturday 6 • Last day to withdraw with permission from
Winter Block Week courses
Monday 8 • WINTER TERM LECTURES BEGIN (except Block
Week courses)
Monday 15 • Last day to submit Application for Winter
Conferral of Degree
Friday 19 • Last day to drop Winter term half courses
• No fee refunds for Winter term half courses after this date
Monday 22 • Last day to add or swap Winter term half
courses • Last day of change of registration from audit to credit or credit to audit
Friday 26 • Fee payment deadline for Winter term half
courses
FEBRUARY 2018
Spring and Summer Term registration begins early February. Spring and Summer schedule of classes will be available mid-January.