Social Work Admissions

Social Work Student Handbook

Advising

Once the student has been admitted to Southwestern Assemblies of God University and has chosen social work as their major, a social work faculty member is assigned for advising. Students should meet with faculty early in their first semester at SAGU, and then at least once per school year. This helps students remain on track with their degree plan in the Social Work Program. All students are required to meet with the Program Coordinator of their selected major as an assignment in their S3 course.

When do I Apply for Formal Admittance to the Social Work Program?

All students who identify intention of obtaining a Social Work degree upon enrollment are initially placed into the BSW Social Work Program at NU (including transfer students) with Provisional Status. Once the student achieves each requirement for the BSW formal application, the student will send the application and supporting documents to the BSW Program Director. Students must have completed or be enrolled in the Introduction to Social Work (SWK 2133) course and completed a minimum of 30 hours of general education courses before completing the formal application for formal acceptance. This application will be completed during the Introduction to Social Work course. The application can also be obtained by request from Director of Social Work Programs ([email protected]) or from the handbook and on the Nelson University/Social Work website page.

Please submit the application to [email protected] . Director of Social Work can provide an online admissions application.

Students who are enrolled in the BSW program, and fail to maintain a 2.5 GPA will be placed into a remediation program for no more than 3 semesters. If they are unable to achieve the academic standard of a 2.5 GPA they will be administratively withdrawn from the program and must consult with the Registrar office to be moved into an alternative Degree Program.

Nelson University students seeking transfer to the BSW program from another Nelson University major must have met the criteria for application above, and received authorization from the BSW Program Director. The Registrar office will notify the Program Director of NU students seeking to transfer to the BSW program. The Program Director will promptly contact the student for requirements and processes of being formally admitted to the program.

The BSW Program Director will review each application and document from the student and advise them of the decision via their campus email address.

Formal Admittance to Nelson University Admission requirements:

  • Application
  • Faith and Lifestyle
  • ACT – 19+
  • SAT (January 2016 and earlier) – 1350+
    • SAT R (March 2016 and earlier) – 980+
  • ACT code: 4182; SAT code: 6669
  • High school transcript showing date of graduation and minimum GPA of 2.0
  • Application fee

Students who do not meet the minimum academic admissions requirements may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Admissions Committee.

Formal Admission Requirements to the Social Work Program and Process of Admission

The following conditions are required for final admission to the Social Work Program by students declared as social work majors:

  1. Complete and submit a formal application and other paperwork requirements, which are available in the Social Work office and from Social Work Faculty. For more information, contact the Social Work Program Office ( [email protected] );
  2. Satisfactory completion of at least 30 semester credit hours of general education requirements; including necessary prerequisites;
  3. Submit a student transcript;
  4. Achieve a minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA.
  5. Obtain a 2.5 minimum in core SWK classes with no individual course grade falling below a C-;
  6. Enrolled in or completion of SWK 2133 Introduction to Social Work;
  7. Obtain two letters of recommendation from the following; a NU professor, and an employer or volunteer supervisor (forms available from Social Work Program Office);
  8. Submit the Social Work Program “Sign-off Sheet;”
  9. Demonstrate the capacity for developing positive relationships (academic community, social service organizations, faith community, etc.);
  10. Display commitment to the field of social work through academic pursuit and other outside activities such as NASW, NACSW, and volunteer work in the community;
  11. Obtain a successful review by the Program Director. All information obtained through this process will be held in confidence and in compliance with FERPA regulations. Knowingly making a false statement (written or oral) could result in denial of admission to the program or termination from the program.

Students will not be granted admission into the Social Work Program until all of the above requirements are met.

Social Work Program Acceptance Notification Once the formal application to the Program is reviewed by the Program Director, a letter is sent electronically to the student indicating one of the following outcomes:

  1. Approval – the student is fully admitted to the Social Work Program.
  2. Provisional approval – indicates that the GPA deficiency is apparent, and the applicant will have one semester to rectify the GPA with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The student may continue to take social work courses and electives during this time, but will not be permitted to begin practicum placement and corequisites until the deficiency is resolved, per the Social Work committee.
  3. Denial of Admission – indicates that deficiencies are such that program admission is denied. When students have resolved the deficiencies, they are encouraged to re-apply to the Program. Students who have been denied approval may not be enrolled in any Practice social work courses until their status has changed. Program Maintenance and Progression Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and Social Work GPA of 2.5, as well as earn a minimum of a C- in all core social work classes. In addition, the matriculated social work student must maintain acceptable professional behavior, including but not limited to the NASW Code of Ethics and the Nelson University Student Handbook.

Students are required to provide a NU unofficial transcript at the end of each semester until the student graduates. If BSW students do not provide the updated unofficial transcript at the end of the semester, the Program Director will request a meeting, in person, by phone, or by video conference to discuss the transcript need. If the transcript is not received within 7 days of the conversation, a letter will be emailed to the student with a two-week deadline for provision of the updated transcript. Failure to provide the unofficial transcript after these measures are completed, the student will be transferred to the Human Services-Social Work program.

Termination from the Social Work Program

Students may be dismissed from Nelson University Social Work Program if, in the professional judgment of the Social Work Committee, violations of professional, and/or ethical codes have occurred. The following criteria will be used in evaluating students’ academic and professional performance.

Academic Performance

  • Violation of the NASW Code of Ethics will be examined.
  • Plagiarism or any other form of cheating will be examined by the Social Work Committee, in accordance with NU academic policies.
  • Inability to earn at least a “C-” in core social work courses, maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA, and/or 2.5 in core social work courses will be examined. Extenuating circumstances may arise, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Failure to provide an updated unofficial NU transcript to the Program Director within 7 days of the end of each semester.

Professional Performance

  • Unresolved issues, which could impair daily functioning and/or jeopardize the welfare of those to whom the student has responsibility such as clients or co-workers.
  • Inability to demonstrate appropriate interpersonal skills and/or interviewing skills necessary for effective social work practice, including derogatory attitudes or inappropriate behaviors.
  • Failure to perform in a professional manner, to use sound judgment in dealing with diverse clients, to accept supervision or to seek help for one’s personal problems.
  • Documented evidence of a felony conviction occurring during the course of study or which occurred prior to admission to the program and became known after admission. This will be reported to the vice president for student development for further review by the university. The Social Work Committee may suggest additional evaluations and/or opinions of professionals as deemed necessary. The Social Work Program reserves the right to refuse enrollment or continuation in the Social Work Program, to any student who in the judgment of the Social Work Committee, has limitations which would be detrimental to the welfare of the clients whom he/she would serve. To impact compatibility and potential for success, a social work grade point average of less than 2.5 is sufficient cause for a social work major to be placed on program probation at any time within their social work curriculum. Students on program probation will have one semester to remedy the situation. An extension may be granted if the student demonstrates sufficient progress. Students who fail to return to good standing without an approved extension will be referred to the Vice President for Student Development.

Probationary and Termination Process

Once a student is being considered for termination from the Program, a personal interview will be scheduled with the student by the Director of the Social Work Program and the students’ advisor to discuss alternate options to termination. If another option is viable, a contract will be negotiated between the Director and the student, which will specify steps to be taken toward resolution and will establish a time limit for the accomplishment of this plan. Should this occur, a final interview with the Director of the Social Work Program and/or SWK Committee, will be scheduled to determine if the steps in the contract have been successfully accomplished. The Director of the Social Work Program may negotiate the contract as needed. Prior to termination from the Program, the student will be provided with written notification of impending termination. Should the student disagree with a decision made about probation or termination from the program, the student’s rights are protected by due process of the university’s complaint policy. Should the student disagree with the SWK Committee decision, the student may present an appeal to the Dean, following the Nelson University Complaint Policy process outlined in the Nelson University student handbook.

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