How was your first semester?

Experience with the teaching styles of faculty Received grades - know what is expected Anxiety level is probably reduced Began 72; 26 in 3 year cohort – roughly 100 students entering into final year Differences in graduate education – depth, student colleagues, student driven Challenging to work, engage in field and do well academically Challenges with course substitutes b/c of the nature of program Less hospitality to graduate students at university level Fewer choices in classes, electives, sections, etc. than accustomed to as undergraduates

Advancement to Candidacy Form

Advancement to Candidacy

Acknowledged by University as a contract If changes made to advisor, electives, course work, requires a “petition for exception” to change If you change educational contract (ie. Sequencing of classes) that results in additional semester or year, requires petition to change If conditions for admission not met – advancement to candidacy will be denied. ( BA/BS, less than 3.0 in 1 st semester).

If you do not have your undergraduate degree – will be dropped from all rolls and need to reapply In past we accepted, but now not so clear…… reduction in spaces on this campus for graduate students

Academic Standards

Field Professionalism Academic Standards – 3 C policy Must maintain a 3.0; Cannot receive more than 2 Cs or lower Academic probation if below 3.0

Academic Disqualification when on probation and/or GPA is .9 or more points below 3.0

Also when a student receives 3 or more “C” grades during their graduate studies

Disqualification & Reinstatement

Administrative-Academic Probation/Disqualification Withdrawal from most of courses in 2 successive semesters in 3 terms Repeated failure to progress toward degree Must satisfy a deficient grade in a sequence course before moving on (204 abcd, 235 a, 295 abcd, 250/51) Must pass 210 and advance to candidacy before beginning 500 or thesis/project/culminating experience Leave of Absence – medical, maternity, military, planned educational leaves

Grade Appeal

Grade Appeals – 1) student/instructor, 2) student/director 6 th week following semester, 3) student/director/instructor possible Student grade appeal form & panel with student member

Pupil Personnel Credential Coursework

Summer work and more costly per unit, however operated with fewer students.

College of Continuing Education (CCE)

Piloting Alternative to Traditional Thesis

2 courses instead of guided study 296A Advanced Methods of Evaluating Practice 296B Social Work Graduate Capstone Dr. Bankhead – Saturday class (20 students) Dr. Antonyappan – Thursday evenings (20 students)

Decision to develop an alternative

Interest in stronger exp. with research methods/tools/stats Possibility for deeper, classroom guided learning to evaluate practice once graduate Challenges with SW 500 for some learners Structure/absence of class meeting Isolation/independence Learning style Budget issues - labor intensive for faculty

Comparable Alternatives

Students requested this alternative and faculty responded to the request Comparable academic rigor Piloted form all professor’s teaching 296a/b also teach 500 for the personal experience/opportunity to reflect on differences and challenges Same song played with a different instrument

Sign Up for Traditional Culminating Experience or Alternative

Meet with a thesis advisor or email professor to explore that option Sign a special VORTA form Do student’s think they know which option they want?

Are you flexible?

Self-assessment Considerations for Option

20 students Equivalent to SW500 in demand and rigor Work well with the structure of a regular class Strong student academically Interest in quantitative analysis Not wed to a particular topic for project Group work Flexibility during the pilot year

Organization of SW296A Advanced Methods of Evaluating Practice SW 296A Advanced Research Methods course with a focus on practice evaluation Fall semester Must receive a B in 210 Begins with question of how to evaluate practice and which tools to use Extension of 210 in terms of methods; chi-square, t-tests, ANOVA, multivariate concepts Offers a deepened investigation of the evaluation methods and appropriateness of their use b/c not first exposure Interactive – group work with student colleagues Lab work Guest speakers from field with living laboratory research possibilities

SW296B Social Work Research Capstone

SW 212: Capstone Project Spring semester Group projects Expedited human subjects review Organized around similar group and faculty interests Integrated paper as a result, not filed in library or with grad. studies, no more than 2 students working on each – less choice in research topic Community service, secondary data, …