Student Resources

The table below illustrates the general approach to grading practices in the School. Specific grading criteria for classroom and field course grades and expectations are found in each course syllabus. These may can vary from and supersede the grading rubric in the table below.

Grade Points Classroom Expectation /
Course Outcome
Field Course Expectation /
Outcome
A 94-100 Outstanding, surpasses expectations in all areas Outstanding, frequently surpasses expectations in all areas
AB 88-93 Surpasses expectations in many areas Very good to superior/excellent performance in all areas
B 82-87 Surpasses expectations in all areas Good performance in most areas
BC 76-81 Meets expectations in some areas; below in others Minimum needed to pass the course
C 70-75 Below expectations in most areas Below minimum performance standards/expectations in several areas, or major deficits in two areas
D 64-60 Below expectations in all areas Below expectations in many areas and may not continue in field and programs
F < 64 Fails to meet minimal expectations in all areas, not acceptable Failing grade, below expectations in all areas and may not continue

MSW GRADING POLICIES

Grades of C are accepted only if they are offset by an equal number of credits of A. Students who receive more than two grades of C or grades of D or F will be dropped from the program. The Graduate School requires that students maintain an overall GPA of 3.0. Grades of Incomplete are not considered satisfactory progress if they are not removed during the next enrolled semester. The Graduate School places any student who receives a grade of BC or C on any 300 level or above course, or has an incomplete on probation until the incomplete is removed or the overall GPA reaches the 3.0 requirement.

Field Grade. As with classroom courses, criteria for the field grade are found in the syllabi for the Field Practice and Integrative Seminars. Students who receive a grade of C in the Field and Integrative Seminar courses may continue only with permission of the faculty and may not offset the grade with a grade of A.

BSW GRADING POLICIES

As with classroom courses, criteria for the field grade are found in the syllabi for the Field Practice and Integrative Seminars (SW 400 and SW 401). BSW students are expected to attain a minimum grade of BC in each field seminar course.

NOTE: For additional important information regarding field grades MSW and BSW students should review the section “Significance of the Field Grade” found in the Field Handbook.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work are committed to providing an accessible, accommodating and supportive teaching and learning environment. The University has programs, resources and policies designed to assist students with disabilities to be successful in their education.

McBurney Disability Resource Center

The McBurney Disability Resource Center is the main UW-Madison campus resource for students who have learning or physical disabilities.  They offer a wide range of services designed to assist students to overcome barriers and to enhance the quality of their educational experience.

Students in need of accommodations should contact the McBurney Disability Resource Center to receive services such as interpreting, captioning, surrogate note-taking, test accommodations or other support.

Russ Portier (portier@wisc.edu), Admin Assc Director and the School’s Access and Accommodation Resource Coordinator, is also available to provide information and assistance to students. If any issues arise in receiving accommodations, please contact him for help with resolution.

Accessing the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work

There is an accessible entrance on the west side of the building adjacent to the Lot 20 parking ramp. An elevator is centrally located in the building.

This page details resources for students enrolled in courses at UW-Madison. Resources that provide services to only undergraduate or graduate students are annotated. To view resources for students enrolled in the Eau Claire site, please scroll down.

SuccessWorks

The College of Letters & Science career services, known as SuccessWorks, provides career advising appointments, opportunities for informational interviewing and networking, and other services such as resume critiques, cover letter reviews, and mock interviews for undergraduate and graduate students.

Professional Development

The professional development webpages are an essential resource, featuring planning guides, skills development tools, and career support resources to help you achieve your professional goals.

Writing Center

The Writing Center welcomes students in all disciplines to take advantage of both individual instruction and workshops. Remote assistance is available through email and Skype.

Diversity

Campus Women’s Center

The Center provides a variety of support services, educates the campus community on a number of women-centered issues, and serves as a resource and referral center for all students.

Equity and Diversity

The Office for Equity and Diversity (OED) promotes, integrates and transfers equity and diversity principles to nurture human resources and advance the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

International Student Services

The ISS staff provides information and programs to international students about the campus and community and provide support and assistance concerning visas and related immigration issues.

Gender and Sexuality Campus Center

The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center provides education, outreach, advocacy, and resources for UW-Madison student communities and their allies to improve campus climate and their daily intersectional experiences.

McBurney Disability Resource Center 

The McBurney Disability Resource Center provides services to students with disabilities to insure accessibility to university programs. McBurney offers accommodations counseling, evaluation referral, adaptive technology, interpreter services, etc.

Multicultural Student Center

The MSC exists to make sure students of all racial and cultural backgrounds are successful and welcomed at The University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Veterans Services

Veteran Services provides benefits and support information for students on active duty, recently discharged, in Reserves, or with parents/spouse who served.

Native American Center for Health Professionals

NACHP offers a collaborative and supportive community. Our network of Native pre-health and health professional students allows for multiple ways to engage your interests and find mentorship and support.

Food and Family Life

The Open Seat

The Open Seat is a food pantry located on the UW-Madison campus run by students, for students. Any student with a valid Wiscard is welcome to come and take part in the pantry weekly. There are no financial or background checks of any kind.

Office of Child Care and Family Resources

This Office promotes the academic and professional goals of the University of Wisconsin community through the administration of early education and family support programs, including Child Care Financial Assistance.

Financial

Office of Student Financial Aid
The Office of Student Financial Aid assists students whose personal and family resources are not adequate to cover the costs involved in attending UW-Madison. Students may find this presentation on Managing Student Loans helpful to learn about borrowing and repayment of loans:

Getting to Campus

Campus and Visitor Relations

Campus and Visitor Relations serves as the central access point for visitors, students, faculty and staff for answering questions, locating information and navigating.

Metro Transit (City Bus)

Metro Transit is the public bus system serving Madison, including the campus area. The website lists routes, schedules, and tools to help plan your trip.

Transportation Services 

UW Transportation Services serves a variety of customers with a diverse set of parking and transportation needs.

Health and Safety

Mental Health/Counseling

Our mental health professionals are committed to providing services such as individual counseling, partner counseling, crisis services, and substance abuse assessment, for a diverse population.

University Health Services (UHS)

UHS has an integrated care model, combining a wide range of medical, mental health counseling, prevention, and wellness services to help support individual students.

Safety Information, Dean of Student’s Office

The Dean of Students Office (DoSO) provides assistance, intervention, prevention, and referral services to the university community.

UW Police Department

Technology Assistance

UW-Madison Information Technology

DoIT delivers desktop and server services and supports networks, Internet connectivity, security, instructional technology, etc. They can be contacted at the Help Desk or though chat or email.

DoIt Tech Store (including discount software)

For graduate students: Enrollment Helpline: (608) 262-3811.

Voter Registration and Information

Wisconsin

Minnesota

 

SOCIAL MEDIA CONSIDERATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS

While it is common in our culture to tweet day-to-day experiences, check-in on Facebook throughout the day, and Instagram memorable events, it is easy to get used to openly sharing a great deal of information about daily life. However, as a professional-in-training, your online persona should be managed as carefully as you would mind your actions, speech, and dress in the workplace.

Professional social workers must be mindful of social media use because the information shared on social media platforms can be used by clients, other professionals, and the general public to shape opinions about you and social workers as a whole. Maintaining primary social work values like client privacy and confidentiality is of utmost importance, and upholding one’s reputation is critical to a competent, successful practice.

Social workers’ professional behavior is guided by the National Association for Social Worker’s Code of Ethics, the State of Wisconsin Conduct Statutes found in the Marriage & Family Therapy, Counseling and Social Worker Administrative Code (Chapter MPSW 20), and general business practices. As closely as possible, students in the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work are expected to model professional standards of behavior as they conduct themselves in any public forum, whether it be online or off. Students are also expected to abide by the School of Social Work’s Student Rights and Responsibilities.

We have distilled those standards down to a few key practices that should be kept in mind when using social media or dating websites. The following guidelines can be used to help protect yourself and the clients who seek your services, along with your reputation and future livelihood as a social worker:

  • Assume that anything said or done online is public. Do not post any content that you would be uncomfortable sharing with the entire world. There have been instances where private user data has become unintentionally visible to all users during a service upgrade or change. Users have also reported the reappearance of deleted data on some sites.
  • Negative comments about clients, your field placement, or the work environment are inappropriate and disrespectful.
  • Discussions about clients are always off-limits, even when speaking generally. Such discussions are a breach of confidentiality, a primary professional value of social workers. Additionally, your group of friends could easily include an acquaintance of your client, especially in our increasingly interconnected world.
  • Avoid posting photographs or content that imply unprofessional behavior, such as photographs that could suggest to the viewer binge drinking, gambling, sexual behavior, etc.
  • Avoid using social media during class or in field settings, unless part of the curriculum.

Privacy is also of the utmost importance when using social media as a professional. It is highly recommended that students who choose to utilize social media sites take precautions to keep personal information private, out of a concern for both professionalism and personal safety. Precautions can include:

  • Limit social media account settings to share content with only vetted friends and family.
  • Never “friend” or add a client to your network; Avoid digital communication with clients outside of the workplace.
  • Use a pseudonym for online accounts to mask your identity.
  • Refrain from listing personal information, such as a home address, cell phone number, or intimate details about your personal life.
  • Turn off automatic location information on social media posts.
  • Limit or avoid check-in platforms like that make it easy to find a person’s location.

Following these guidelines can help to avoid consequences ranging from a negative impact on the reputation and career of individual students to undermining the reputation of the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work or public trust in social workers.