Application for Candidacy for the Social Work Program

Candidacy indicates intention to apply for full admission to the program. To be considered for candidacy, students must submit a completed application and meet candidacy requirements. 

The Bethel University social work program operates under a selective admissions policy. The policy is based on the need to maintain a program of excellence in the classroom, assure the availability of quality field placements, and adhere to accreditation requirements. The Bethel social work program reserves the right to admit a limited number of candidates each year. Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee that a student will be accepted as a candidate to the program. Students denied candidacy may appeal, reapply during the next candidacy review cycle, and/or may meet with their academic advisor to explore career alternatives.

Students who are accepted for candidacy are not guaranteed full admission and continuation in the program. Students must meet the requirements for each checkpoint and the Bethel University requirements for academic progress.

The following are minimum threshold requirements to be considered for candidacy into the social work program.

A. Requirements

To be accepted as a candidate, the student must:

1. Have second semester sophomore standing;
2. Complete SOW 210Z, Introduction to Social Work, with a grade of C or better;
3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 at time of candidacy application. (NOTE: GPA is reviewed again at the end of the semester and must remain 2.25 or higher.)
4. Submit the completed Volunteer or Paid Service form, which a) documents at least 50 hours of experience in a community agency, school, hospital, or other social service organization; and b) provides evidence that the requirements for volunteer or paid service as outlined on the form have been met;
5. Demonstrate an introductory understanding and corresponding skill-set conducive to the development of professional knowledge, values, skills, the application of cognitive and affective processes, ethical practice, and conduct expected of a generalist social work practitioner as evidenced in service learning performance feedback, instructor observation, and assessment of professional skills commensurate with introductory level social work.
6. Examine, agree, adhere to, and demonstrate evidence of ability to meet the Standards for Academic and Professional Performance (SAPP) (*1). Evidence of meeting SAPP at an entry level comes from service learning performance feedback, instructor observation, interview with social work faculty, and assessment of professional skills related to the SAPP in the classroom setting. 
7. Meet with the course instructor of SOW 210Z, Introduction to Social Work or designated faculty to review and complete a SAPP (*1)  evaluation. This evaluation indicates the student is meeting the standards established by the SAPP or that an improvement plan is required (*2). Actions on the improvement plan timeline occurring prior to the candidacy review must be successfully completed prior to the candidacy review date;
8. Submit the completed Declaration of Candidacy form;
9. Submit the completed Candidacy Self-Assessment demonstrating a) capacity for professional written communication; b) self-awareness of strengths, areas of potential growth and emotional intelligence; and c) values consistent with the values identified in the social work profession.
10. Submit an unofficial transcript from DegreeWorks.
11. After thoroughly examining the Statement of Understanding and Agreement and all listed documents, sign and agree to: 

• NASW Code of Ethics
• Social Work section of the Bethel University catalog
• Social Work Program Policy Manual & Student Handbook
• Social Work Field Policy Manual 
• Program Position Statement on Diversity
• Racial Harassment Policy
• Sexual Harassment Policy
• Eligibility for Social Work Licensure
• Criminal Background Disclosure
• Standards for Academic and Professional Performance (SAPP)
• SAPP Evaluation Form (see #6 above)
• Volunteer or Paid Service Documentation (see #4 above)

B. Social work faculty will review and assess submitted candidacy documents, make a decision on candidacy, and provide written notification to the applicant concerning candidacy status. Notice of decisions will be sent to students' P.O. boxes and via email. Please see social work program policy definitions located later in the social work section of this catalog for explanations of conditional acceptance (*4) and provisional acceptance (*5). 

C. Students who choose to appeal decisions related to candidacy must follow the process and policy for program appeals as articulated in the social work section of the Bethel catalog and the Social Work Program Policy Manual & Student Handbook.

Application for Full Admission to the Social Work Program

Application for full admission into the social work program and field education occurs in the fall of students' junior year. To be considered for full admission to the social work program, students must meet admission requirements and submit a completed application by the application deadline. To progress in the program, a student must meet the departmental and Bethel University requirements for academic progress. 

The Bethel University social work program operates under a selective admissions policy. The policy is based on the need to maintain a program of excellence in the classroom, assure the availability of quality field placements, and adhere to accreditation requirements. The social work program reserves the right to admit a limited number of students each year. Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee a student will be admitted to the program. Students who are denied admission may appeal, may reapply during the next admission cycle, and/or may meet with their academic advisor to explore career alternatives.

The decision to admit a student is based on a review of all materials submitted by the student, as well as evaluation forms and letters of recommendation submitted by the evaluators on behalf of the student.

The following are minimum threshold requirements to be considered for admission into the social work program.

A. Requirements

To be fully admitted to the Bethel social work program, the candidate must:

1. Have previously been accepted as a candidate to the program including completion of SOW 210Z Introduction to Social Work with a grade of C or better;
2. Have a minimum cumulative Bethel GPA of 2.25 at time of application to the program. (NOTE: GPA is reviewed again at the end of the semester and must remain 2.25 or higher.)
3. Have earned a grade of C or better in each social work (SOW) course. Courses with a grade of C- or lower must be repeated.
4. Continue to demonstrate a progressive understanding of generalist social work practice and corresponding skill-set conducive to the development of professional knowledge, values, skills, the application of cognitive and affective processes, ethical practice, and conduct expected of a generalist social work practitioner as evidenced in junior field experience feedback, instructor observation, and assessment of professional skills. Continue to demonstrate evidence of ability to meet the Standards for Academic and Professional Performance (SAPP) (*1). Evidence of meeting the SAPP standards at a developmentally appropriate level comes from performance feedback from junior level field experience, instructor observation, interview with social work faculty, and assessment of professional skills related to the SAPP in the classroom setting.
5. Achieve a successful mid-year evaluation of performance in SOW 320 Experience in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Social Work Practice I as completed by the field supervisor and approved by the field director. 
6. Demonstrate evidence of following the NASW Social Work Code of Ethics as shown by performance in the classroom and in the field.
7. Successfully complete any on-going Improvement Plans (*2) related to Notice of Concerns (*3) and/or Conditional Acceptance (*4).
8. The following components of the submitted application are considered as evidence of readiness for full admission into the social work program:
   1. Application for Full Admission to the Social Work Program form
   2. Admission narratives on five (5) topics addressing your interest in the social work profession;
   3. Self-assessment of readiness for social work practice;
   4. Two letters of reference from qualified individuals assessing applicant’s aptitude to pursue social work;
   5. Current resume (reflects current number of social work related hours in each work area); 
   6. Copy of unofficial transcript from DegreeWorks;
   7. Interview with an assigned social work faculty;
   8. If provisionally accepted for candidacy due to being in process of completing the required 50 hours of volunteer or paid service, student must also provide: Volunteer or Paid Service form documenting at least 50 hours of experience in a community agency, school, hospital, or other social service organization.

B. Social Work faculty will review and evaluate submitted full admission documents, make a decision on admission into the program, and provide written notification to the applicant concerning full admission status. Notice of decisions will be sent to students' P.O. boxes and via email. Please see social work program definitions located later in the social work section of this catalog for explanations of conditional acceptance (*4).

C. Students who choose to appeal decisions related to full admissions must follow the process and policy for program appeals as articulated in the social work section of the Bethel catalog and the Social Work Program Policy Manual & Student Handbook.

Standards for Continuance and Graduation (SCG)

To progress in the program, students must meet the following requirements: 

1. Earn a grade of C or better in each social work (SOW) course (courses with a grade of C- or lower must be repeated);
2. Maintain a minimum cumulative Bethel GPA of at least 2.25;
3. Demonstrate understanding of the NASW Code of Ethics and a consistent and growing commitment to ethical practice in accordance with this code as demonstrated by successful completion of ethics assignments as indicated in syllabi; 
4. Demonstrate continued development of professional knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes, ethics, and expected evidence of ability to meet the Standards for Academic and Professional Performance (SAPP) (*1). Evidence of meeting SAPP at a level commensurate with program standards comes from service learning and field performance feedback, field evaluations, instructor/ classroom observation, and assessment of professional skills related to the SAPP;
5. Demonstrate continued development of professional knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes, ethics, and conduct expected of a generalist social work practitioner as presented throughout the social work program;
6. Receive a successful final evaluation from SOW 325 Experience in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Social Work Practice II, as completed by the field supervisor and approved by the field director, confirming that satisfactory progress is evident and the student is ready for SOW 420 Social Work Field Instruction I. 
7. Receive a mid-year evaluation from SOW 420  Social Work Field Instruction I, as completed by the field supervisor and approved by the field director, confirming that satisfactory progress is being made toward competent, ethical, and professional social work practice;
8. Receive a final evaluation from SOW 425 Social Work Field Instruction II, as completed by the field supervisor and approved by the field director, confirming that satisfactory progress is being made toward competent, ethical, and professional social work practice and that student is adequately prepared to graduate as a professional social worker.

B. Applicable requirements for continuance and graduation are reviewed at the completion of each semester. If students do not meet the Standards for Continuance and Graduation (SCG), notifications are sent to student P.O. boxes and via email. Please see social work program policy definitions located later in the social work section of this catalog for an explanation of Notice of Concern (*3).

C. Students who choose to appeal decisions related to Standards for Continuance and Graduation (SCG) must follow the process and policy for program appeals as articulated in the social work section of the Bethel catalog and the Social Work Program Policy Manual & Student Handbook.

Social Work Program Policy Definitions

Standards for Academic and Professional Performance (SAPP)¹

Critical thinking and decision-making, interpersonal relationship skills, professional values and ethics, communication skills, responsible conduct, professional readiness, and self-awareness. These standards are consistent with the role and responsibilities of the social work professional. (NOTE: a criminal history may preclude one’s ability to become licensed as a social worker upon graduation).  

Improvement Plan (IP)²

A formal Improvement Plan (IP) may be required at multiple points in the program including but not limited to SOW 210Z Introduction to Social Work, during candidacy, full admission, or in response to a Notice of Concern (NOC) (* 3). An IP is developed by the student in collaboration with the course instructor/designated faculty. The IP is signed by the student and course instructor/designated faculty and placed in the student’s candidacy file. An IP must clearly specify goal(s), methods to measure achievement of the goals, specific actions to be taken to successfully meet the goal(s), and a timeline for the completion of those actions. Students with a formal IP must have successfully achieved the identified goals using the measurement listed in the IP before being eligible for candidacy and/or full admission to the program.

Notice of Concern (NOC)³

An (NOC) may be issued to students who have been either accepted as candidates or fully accepted into the social work program and for whom performance issues in the field or classroom have been identified. Students receiving a NOC are required to develop and submit a formal IP (*2) which addresses the identified issue. An NOC is identified as Level 1 (serious concern) or Level 2 (most serious concern).

Conditional Acceptance⁴

On rare occasions, students not meeting all candidacy, full admission, or standards for continuance requirements, may be accepted and/or advanced conditionally with specific requirements identified and addressed in a formal IP.

Provisional Acceptance⁵

Students who are in the process of completing 50 hours of voluntary or paid experience and/or students enrolled in SOW 210Z Introduction to Social Work at the time of application review, and who meet all other requirements, may be accepted provisionally and will be reviewed for full candidacy or full admission after successful completion of the required element(s).

Social Work Program Appeals Process 

Students denied candidacy, full admission, or continuation in the social work program, may submit a written request for consideration of conditional candidacy, conditional admission, or conditional continuation in the program. This written request must be submitted to the director of the social work program within one week of receiving the decision and needs to include an IP stating how unmet requirements will be achieved. Within one week of receiving students' written request, the program director and field director will review the plan and notify students of their decision. If conditional candidacy, full admission, or continuation is granted, conditions for moving forward will be stated. If students are not granted conditional candidacy, full admission, or continuation, students may submit a written appeal to the appropriate academic dean. This written appeal must be submitted within one week of receiving the department's decision.

Those who appeal should be aware of the responsibility of a professional program. It is the social work faculty’s responsibility to recommend for candidacy, admission, continuation, and graduation only students who have demonstrated the capacity to perform professional social work practice. This includes adherence to the Social Work Code of Ethics and ability to meet criteria as outlined in the Standards for Academic and Professional Performance (SAPP).

NOTE: Students who request to resume their involvement with the social work program after dropping out of the program, being dismissed from the program, or withdrawing from Bethel University for any reason must apply for readmission into the program. Issues that led to the decision to drop out (whether voluntary or involuntary) must be addressed prior to being readmitted to the social work program. Being readmitted to Bethel University does not constitute readmission into the social work program.

Field Education Program

Bethel’s social work Field Education Program provides students with generalist social work practice experiences within community-based settings where students learn to connect the theoretical and conceptual contributions from the classroom in a field setting. The field placement is carefully selected because of its ability to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate specific social work competencies with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 

Students are introduced to the concept of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) professionalism through a 150-hour junior level community learning experience (SOW 320) Experience in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Social Work Practice I and SOW 325 Experience in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Social Work Practice II under the guidance of an experienced community professional. 

Students who have been admitted to the Senior Level Field Program are required to complete a minimum of 400 hours of in-person contact with clients and constituencies, performing the role of a professional social worker under the supervision of an on-campus field instructor, and a qualified community-based social work field instructor. These field hours are completed concurrently with the following courses: SOW 420 Social Work Field Instruction I, SOW 425  Social Work Field Instruction II.

Students are often required to complete a criminal background check at their own expense as part of agency requirements. Students must furnish their own transportation to and from field settings.

International Field Practicum

Junior-level students may fulfill SOW 325  Experience in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Social Work Practice II in a 100 hour social work-approved international service oriented field-based internship experience guided by Non-Government Organization staff or local service agency staff with International academic program oversight. Students must work with the Office of International and Off-Campus Programs to arrange a study abroad program that meets social work junior level internship requirements and obtain approval from the Field Director of the social work program. Students must meet both the academic requirements of the study abroad and the social work program to receive field related credit upon completing their International field-based service oriented internship experience. 

Major in Social Work

• B.A. in Social Work

Minor in Social Work

• Social Welfare Studies