Field Directors

Good morning everyone! Thank you for your excellent support and input on my previous queries. My two-prong question today is:

1) what are your gatekeeping strategies for students choosing to major in social work at the BSW level?

2) For those of you accepting advanced standing students into a graduate program, what knowledge, values and skills do you look for in these BSW graduates?  I truly value your thoughts and ideas as your input influences my future program of research in this area. Thank you and have a beautiful day! Katharine Dill.

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Katharine Dill
Marist College
Newburgh NY
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Good Morning,
While I can't speak to your advanced standing question - as per gatekeeping, we have a process of continuance.
Essentially, any student who declares a Social Work major meets with the faculty at about the halfway point of their program (usually, spring of their sophomore year) to review how the program has felt so far, what the student would like to improve on, and what their academic record looks like.  The students have to complete this meeting, write an essay, and fill out a continuance application.  All of this takes place before a student enters into any field practice opportunities.
Following this meeting, it is expected the student maintains a specific GPA, or they will not be invited to continue with the program.
The continuance process is a great check in for all members of our program - students and faculty alike - as it gets everyone on the same page before a student heads out into field and allows enough time for a student to either drop the major to a minor (where there is no GPA requirement) or leave the program altogether if necessary.
Hope this helps!  Happy to share copies of our continuance application if you'd like!

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Karli Efron
Field Coordinator
Saint Joseph's College
Portland ME
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Karli, I responded to you privately but now I am responding to the listserv as your idea is such a great one! If you can share your continuance application I am certain myself and others would be greatly appreciative!

If anyone else has gatekeeping ideas at the BSW and/or MSW level, please let me know. I am considering developing a survey tool about this topic and value everyone's input as this would assist me in designing questions that are impactful and meaningful for all. If you wish to email me separately, my email address is katharine.dill@marist.edu 

Thank you all for your amazing support and insights. Katharine

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Katharine Dill
Marist College
Newburgh NY
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Original Message:
Sent: Aug 04, 2022 09:47
From: Karli Efron
Subject: BSW Gatekeeping

Good Morning,
While I can't speak to your advanced standing question - as per gatekeeping, we have a process of continuance.
Essentially, any student who declares a Social Work major meets with the faculty at about the halfway point of their program (usually, spring of their sophomore year) to review how the program has felt so far, what the student would like to improve on, and what their academic record looks like.  The students have to complete this meeting, write an essay, and fill out a continuance application.  All of this takes place before a student enters into any field practice opportunities.
Following this meeting, it is expected the student maintains a specific GPA, or they will not be invited to continue with the program.
The continuance process is a great check in for all members of our program - students and faculty alike - as it gets everyone on the same page before a student heads out into field and allows enough time for a student to either drop the major to a minor (where there is no GPA requirement) or leave the program altogether if necessary.
Hope this helps!  Happy to share copies of our continuance application if you'd like!

------------------------------
Karli Efron
Field Coordinator
Saint Joseph's College
Portland ME
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