Social Work Education

Hi Everyone and Happy Friday!

I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share how they grade practicum/seminar if their students complete practicum over multiple semesters. We are running into issues when a student receives a passing grade in the Fall in practicum/seminar but then receives a failing grade in the Spring. Per our policies, students must take both semesters over again but that requires retroactively changing their grade from the Fall to an F so they can retake the course due to Registrar requirements. I'd love to hear how others approach this!

Thanks, 

Melissa 

#StudentCurriculum

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Melissa Vangellow
Director of Clinical Placements
Keuka College
(315) 279-5122
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Hi Everyone,

We have a few cases where a student will pass Field 1 and fail Field 2. In that case, they will retake Field 2. We don't make the student retake Field 1. Most times there isn't a problem with them going back to their field placement and starting over for the new course. We also offer the field courses in other semesters, so students won't have to wait a full year to finish what they have started. We offer field 1 in the summer and fall, as well as field 2 in the fall and spring to encourage students to keep moving forward with their goals of completion. 

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Michelle Ratcliff
Associate Professor
Delaware State University
Dover DE
+1 (302) 736-2386
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Thank you so much for your response, Michelle. I appreciate this information!

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Melissa Vangellow
Director of Clinical Placements
Keuka College
(315) 279-5122
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Original Message:
Sent: May 29, 2026 13:26
From: Michelle Ratcliff
Subject: Seminar and Practicum Grading

Hi Everyone,

We have a few cases where a student will pass Field 1 and fail Field 2. In that case, they will retake Field 2. We don't make the student retake Field 1. Most times there isn't a problem with them going back to their field placement and starting over for the new course. We also offer the field courses in other semesters, so students won't have to wait a full year to finish what they have started. We offer field 1 in the summer and fall, as well as field 2 in the fall and spring to encourage students to keep moving forward with their goals of completion. 

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Michelle Ratcliff
Associate Professor
Delaware State University
Dover DE
+1 (302) 736-2386
------------------------------

Hi, Melissa.

In our MSW program, we don't have a policy that they have to re-take both semesters, but we did institute a Pass/Fail mid-term evaluation that seems to be providing an additional layer of gatekeeping (I hope "gatekeeping" isn't the wrong term to use!) and accountability on the student's part. We're still new at this (for MSWs) but I'm satisfied with the approach so far. 

For their practicum course, we assign points for weekly supervision logs, monthly time sheets, and the initial learning agreement. The midterm evaluation is pass fail (based on rating system on the form), and the final evaluation is a letter grade assigned based on the student's overall average rating on a 4.0 scale (although Canvas does still require we put in a maximum points for the assignment). 

I am still conflicted over how to treat late/missing documents. I think the point system helps hold the student accountable but a handful struggle to submit on time. We are moving to an online platform for field placements so I'm hopeful that will help but doubt it will prevent any and all late work. 

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Angela Wood
Asst. Professor/Field Director
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond LA
985-549-2309
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Hi Angela!

Thank you for your response. This sounds like a nice system and I appreciate your perspective. We have been thinking a lot about grading late work too and how to keep that consistent across the program. It's certainly a challenge!

Melissa 

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Melissa Vangellow
Director of Clinical Placements
Keuka College
(315) 279-5122
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: May 29, 2026 11:12
From: Angela Wood
Subject: Seminar and Practicum Grading

Hi, Melissa.

In our MSW program, we don't have a policy that they have to re-take both semesters, but we did institute a Pass/Fail mid-term evaluation that seems to be providing an additional layer of gatekeeping (I hope "gatekeeping" isn't the wrong term to use!) and accountability on the student's part. We're still new at this (for MSWs) but I'm satisfied with the approach so far. 

For their practicum course, we assign points for weekly supervision logs, monthly time sheets, and the initial learning agreement. The midterm evaluation is pass fail (based on rating system on the form), and the final evaluation is a letter grade assigned based on the student's overall average rating on a 4.0 scale (although Canvas does still require we put in a maximum points for the assignment). 

I am still conflicted over how to treat late/missing documents. I think the point system helps hold the student accountable but a handful struggle to submit on time. We are moving to an online platform for field placements so I'm hopeful that will help but doubt it will prevent any and all late work. 

------------------------------
Angela Wood
Asst. Professor/Field Director
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond LA
985-549-2309
------------------------------

Hi all,

We have a policy that states that the field courses must be taken and passed sequentially, so that if you fail the spring course you may be required to retake both semesters again. This has usually held up through the registrar's office, our seminar course has the same code both semesters and is a variable credit course to allow for different degree plans. It has sometimes caused issues though, as this does ultimately require students in this situation to earn more credits for this course than the degree plan requires. In reality, we take them somewhat case by case, considering what lead to the failure and whether we believe the student could adequately demonstrate all competencies in a new placement with less time. When students fail this course, it is nearly always because they were terminated from the field placement. If students are struggling otherwise, such as with life challenges getting in the way, they are often advised to withdraw before reaching this point. I do think this can be a tricky  issue so it's nice to hear how others handle it!

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Lindsey Rinehart
Field Education Director
West Virginia University
Morgantown WV
304-293-3501
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Hi Lindsey!

It sounds like your policy is similar to ours. This is great the hear how you handle things. It really can be tricky! Appreciate your response. 

Melissa 

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Melissa Vangellow
Director of Clinical Placements
Keuka College
(315) 279-5122
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Original Message:
Sent: Jun 02, 2026 11:51
From: Lindsey Rinehart
Subject: Seminar and Practicum Grading

Hi all,

We have a policy that states that the field courses must be taken and passed sequentially, so that if you fail the spring course you may be required to retake both semesters again. This has usually held up through the registrar's office, our seminar course has the same code both semesters and is a variable credit course to allow for different degree plans. It has sometimes caused issues though, as this does ultimately require students in this situation to earn more credits for this course than the degree plan requires. In reality, we take them somewhat case by case, considering what lead to the failure and whether we believe the student could adequately demonstrate all competencies in a new placement with less time. When students fail this course, it is nearly always because they were terminated from the field placement. If students are struggling otherwise, such as with life challenges getting in the way, they are often advised to withdraw before reaching this point. I do think this can be a tricky  issue so it's nice to hear how others handle it!

------------------------------
Lindsey Rinehart
Field Education Director
West Virginia University
Morgantown WV
304-293-3501
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