5.3 Student Performance Review

Violations of Academic or Professional Standards

Circumstances that may result in a review of a student’s academic or professional performance can include (but are not limited to) any of the following:

  1. Failure to meet or maintain any of the academic or professional performance standards stated herein; or contained elsewhere in the MSW Student Handbook, Student Guide to Field Education, or the Graduate Division Guide to Graduate Policy.
  2. Any violation of field placement agency policies, procedures or regulations.
  3. Violations of the NASW Code of Ethics or the Berkeley Campus Code of Student Conduct.
  4. Any form of scholastic dishonesty or other violation of academic integrity.
  5. Any threat or attempt to harm oneself or others.
  6. Commission of a criminal act that is contrary to professional practice.
  7. Consistent pattern of unprofessional behavior.

Departmental Review of Student Progress

The School of Social Welfare regularly monitors overall progress toward degrees for all graduate students:

  1. The Graduate Advisor (GSAO) is responsible for monitoring degree progress of graduate students. Each semester the GSAO solicits feedback from faculty advisors and departmental teaching staff regarding students of concern. Faculty advisors and departmental teaching staff may also alert the Graduate Advisor of student issues at any point during the semester.
  2. For students whose academic progress is or may be in jeopardy, the Social Welfare MSW Program GSAO or the faculty Head Graduate Advisor will facilitate communication with and between the student and the assigned faculty advisor to agree upon a remediation plan. Written documentation of the plan should be retained in the student’s academic record.
  3. Students whose grade-point average falls below 3.0 will receive a letter from the Graduate Division informing them that they have been placed on academic probation and are subject to dismissal if their GPA remains below the minimum 3.0 requirement by the end of the following semester.
  4. In consultation with the Social Welfare MSW Program GSAO, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Services, Chair of Field Education, Faculty Advisor, Head Graduate Advisor, or student’s teaching staff for the term, the School may move forward with a Formal Performance Review as warranted or necessary to address violations of or failure to meet academic or professional standards.

Performance Review Procedures

Informal Review

Attempts at informal review with the student and faculty member should occur first, when a concern is raised about meeting academic or professional performance standards. The goal of an informal review is to address concerns directly with the student, and work toward a mutual understanding of and resolution to the concern(s). Written documentation of any agreed-upon remediation plan should be retained in the student’s academic record. Students and faculty members may consult with professional advising and student services staff, as well as other campus resources, for advice and technical assistance with campus policies and procedures.

Formal Performance Review

When a situation warrants a Formal Performance Review,

  1. The student will be notified in writing of:
    1. The nature of the problem or deficiency;
    2. The steps to be taken to correct the deficiency;
    3. A reasonable period in which to correct the problem or to show acceptable improvement; and
    4. An approximate date on which the student’s record will next be reviewed.
  2. The Social Welfare MSW GSAO or the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Services will facilitate communication with and between the affected parties and the Head Graduate Advisor to pursue resolution.
  3. If a student’s performance is assessed as below or in violation of academic or professional performance standards, the Head Graduate Advisor may:
    1. send the student a warning letter, with a copy to the Graduate Division, apprising the student of his or her insufficient academic or professional progress; or
    2. write to the Graduate Division requesting to place the student on formal probation.
  4. Placement of a student on formal probation is required before the student can be dismissed from the program. If the student fails to remove the probationary status in the following semester, the student is subject to further review and/or dismissal from the program.