ADVISING
A variety of advising
resources are available to help guide students in the School of Social
Welfare through their MSW program and into the world of professional
social work. The advising system has three basic components:
- Procedural and
Administrative Advising
- Specialization
Group Advising
- Individual Academic
Advising
Procedural and
Administrative Advising
Advising is available
from Barbara Haden,
the School's Graduate Assistant. Her job is to assist all MSW students
in dealing with the administrative complexities of the graduate program--Tele-BEARS
course enrollment, degree requirements and progress, petitions, and
School, Graduate Division, and University policies in general. The Graduate
Assistant, in addition, compiles and distributes the School's MSW e-mail
newsletter providing regular information on School and professional
activities.
Specialization
Group Advising
Teaching and field
faculty in each program area (MAP, Children and Families, Community
Mental Health, Health, Aging) compose Specialization Advising Groups
whose primary role is academic advising. It is the responsibility of
the SAGs to guide MSW students through the four semesters of the degree
program. Through group meetings and special events, the SAGs:
- interpret the
academic and field work requirements of the specialization, the School,
and the University,
- assist students
in selecting appropriate elective courses,
- advise on procedures
for program changes, course exemptions, and special programs,
- sponsor and publicize
special events and activities related to academic, career, and professional
development, and
- facilitate faculty-student
communications on curriculum and professional issues.
Specialization Advising
Groups meet periodically throughout the academic year. They convene
during Orientation Week each August and generally meet during mid-semester
in the Fall and Spring prior to the Tele-BEARS course enrollment period.
A list of program specialization faculty, and each group's co-chairs,
is appended and is also posted on the MSW bulletin board outside room
118.
Individual Academic
Advising
Individual faculty
members in each specialization group are assigned to students to provide
personal one-on-one advising on academic, professional, and career issues
and to provide information, as necessary, to address special academic
needs or problems. Faculty meet with their advisees in the Fall semester
and periodically thereafter.
Students can make
appointments with their advisors at any time to explore issues affecting
their progress in the MSW program, the requirements of the School and
the Graduate Division, or their individual specialization area. The
School, as an institution concerned with professional and academic education
in the field of social welfare, focuses its advising on matters relating
to educational issues and professional development. The School does
not provide personal counseling or social services to students.
Students needing help with personal or emotional problems should contact
UC Counseling and Psychological Services at the Tang Center. (See http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/)
When students fail
to make adequate progress toward the completion of their MSW program,
their individual advisors will help to assess the situation, make recommendations,
and supply requisite information to the Dean's Office or the University.
As part of the Dean's Office, Paul
Terrell, the School's Coordinator of Academic Programs, is available
to discuss individual student concerns needing special attention.
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