Professional Behaviors and Expectations

All students in the Undergraduate Social Work program within the College of Education and Social Work (CESW) must adhere to the code of ethics as outlined by the National Association of Social Workers. CESW views its students as mature individuals who are either preparing to be members of the profession or continuing to develop their knowledge and skills within the profession. Students are expected to exhibit a high level of integrity, humility and empathy when working with others (client, peers, instructors, etc) all while upholding the professional standards of conduct.

The undergraduate Social Work Program has developed Professional Behaviors and Expectations that are essential to the profession. These Professional Behaviors have been adapted from the Social Work Competencies outlined in the 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards set forth by the Council on Social Work Education.

Professional Behaviors

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

Social workers understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards, as well as relevant laws and regulations that may impact practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Social workers understand frameworks of ethical decision-making and how to apply principles of critical thinking to those frameworks in practice, research, and policy arenas. Social workers recognize personal values and the distinction between personal and professional values. They also understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions influence their professional judgment and behavior. Social workers understand the profession’s history, its mission, and the roles and responsibilities of the profession. Social Workers also understand the role of other professions when engaged in inter-professional teams. Social workers recognize the importance of life-long learning and are committed to continually updating their skills to ensure they are relevant and effective. Social workers also understand emerging forms of technology and the ethical use of technology in social work practice.

Social workers:

  • make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context;
  • use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations;
  • demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication;
  • use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes;
  • and use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior

Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice

Social workers understand how diversity and difference characterize and shape the human experience and are critical to the formation of identity. The dimensions of diversity are understood as the intersectionality of multiple factors including but not limited to age, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration status, marital status, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status. Social workers understand that, as a consequence of difference, a person’s life experiences may include oppression, poverty, marginalization, and alienation as well as privilege, power, and acclaim. Social workers also understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and recognize the extent to which a culture’s structures and values, including social, economic, political, and cultural exclusions, may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create privilege and power.

Social workers:

  • apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels;
  • present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences; and
  • apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies.

Please utilize the menus to learn more about the Professional Behaviors and Expectations evaluation process and to access additional resources and forms.

Note: A student's violation of professional behaviors may also be a violation of University-wide policy. In this case, the violation should be filed with appropriate University or College bodies.

Resources & Forms

Evaluation Process

Level 1 - Submitting a Concern
Level 2 - Department
Level 3 - Unit
Level 4 - Dean

Level 1 - Submitting a Concern

Do you have a concern?

YES NO

No action required.

1. Download the Professional Behaviors Concern Form .

2. Complete Section 1

3. Schedule a meeting with the student and complete Section 2. Please obtain all signatures and give a copy to the student.

4. Email the form to CESWAssessment@wcupa.edu.

Level 2 - Department

In the event of two concerns, or a Level 2 was indicated on the Concern Form.

YES

1. Department Chair is notified.

*Chair may elect to convene a committee to review Level 1 data and to discuss the concerns.*

2. Chair or committee meets with student.

3. The Chair completes the Professional Behaviors – Action Plan Form (PDF fillable form) (signatures required). A copy of the form must be given to the student.

Will the student have to submit evidence relative to the Action Plan (e.g., reflective statement, paper)?

YES NO

After the due date for the student to submit evidence passes, the Chair or committee must hold a follow-up conference with the student.

Did the student successfully complete the Action Plan?

YES NO

The Chair completes the Tk20 Professional Behaviors Follow-Up Status Form and uploads the signed Professional Behaviors – Action Plan Form.

The Chair completes the Tk20 Professional Behaviors Follow-Up Status Form and uploads the signed Professional Behaviors – Action Plan Form. Status is indicated on the form.

The Chair completes the Tk20 Professional Behaviors Follow-Up Status Form and uploads the signed Professional Behaviors – Action Plan Form. Status is indicated on the form. Proceedings automatically move to LEVEL 3.

Level 3 - Unit

In the event of a third concern or Level 2 Action Plan  unsuccessfully completed by student.

YES

1. Department Chair and Associate Dean are notified.

2. Chair and Associate Dean conference with the student.

3. The Chair and Associate Dean develop an Academic Support Plan and complete the Professional Behaviors – Action Plan Form (PDF fillable form) (signatures required). A copy of the form must be given to the student.

Does the behavior warrant a move to Level 4?

YES NO

1. The Chair and Associate Dean conference with the student to discuss next steps.

2. The Chair or Program Coordinator completes the Tk20 Professional Behaviors Follow-Up Status Form and uploads the signed Professional Behaviors – Action Plan Form. Status is indicated on the form.

The Chair and Associate Dean conference with the student to outline the details of the Academic Support Plan and to complete the Professional Behaviors – Action Plan Form (signatures required). A copy of the form must be given to the student.

*If evidence is required, after the due date for the student to submit evidence passes, the Chair, Program Coordinator, and Associate Dean must hold a follow-up conference with the student.*

Did the student successfully complete the Action Plan?

YES NO

The Chair completes the Tk20 Professional Behaviors Follow-Up Status Form and uploads the signed Professional Behaviors – Action Plan Form. Status is indicated on the form.

The Chair completes the Tk20 Professional Behaviors Follow-Up Status Form and uploads the signed Professional Behaviors – Action Plan Form. Status is indicated on the form. Proceedings automatically move to LEVEL 4.

Level 4 - Dean

In the event of a fourth concern or Level 3 Academic Support Plan unsuccessfully completed by student.

YES

1. Department Chair and Associate Dean are notified.

2. Chair and Associate Dean meet to discuss concern and then communicate concern to the Dean of the College of Education and Social Work.

*Other relevant parties may provide input.*

3. Dean (or designee) conferences with the student.

Does the Dean recommend Probation?

YES NO

1. Dean will work with appropriate parties to outline the terms of probation.

2. Dean (or designee) conferences with student to discuss the terms of probation and to sign the contract.

3. Associate Dean or Dean completes the Tk20 Professional Behaviors Follow-Up Status Form and uploads the signed Professional Behaviors – Action Plan Form. Status is indicated on the form.

Dean (or designee) may elect to counsel student into another career opportunity.