Social Work

The Master of Social Work program at Northwest Nazarene University offers the working professional an opportunity to complete a master's degree through an extended program of study. This is a part-time program that is designed for those with work or family responsibilities. For all but the online students, classes are scheduled on Thursdays and Fridays from 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (MST).

Additionally, students can follow the cohort schedule or slow down and proceed at a slower pace. Students admitted in the Fall at the Generalist level may complete their coursework in seven semesters (28 months), while students admitted with Advanced Standing status may complete their coursework in four semesters (16 months). Generalist students admitted in the Spring will complete their coursework in eight semesters (30 months), while the Advanced Standing (Specialist) students will complete their coursework in five semesters (18 months). Summer attendance is required for all students (May to July 3rd).

Students who have earned a BSW or a B.A. in Social Work from a program accredited by CSWE may apply for Advanced Standing. If the degree was not earned within the last five years, the specific admissions requirements that will need to be met are listed in the "Admission Requirements" section below. For students who did not complete their BSW or B.A. in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program, a maximum of 25% of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from the CSWE-accredited institution. All transfer credits must have received at least a "B-" letter grade and be approved by the program director.

Classes are available at NNU's Nampa campus in person, at our distance learning classrooms in Idaho Falls, and through live online attendance for those who live or work more than 40 miles from either classroom location. We are also offering a traditional online program in the Fall of 2025. During the 2025-2026 school year, we will only provide Generalist-level courses in the online program. In the Fall of 2026, we will add the Specialized/Advanced standing courses to the online program.

The primary goal of the program is to prepare students for specialized social work practice. This is accomplished by providing an evidence-based, value-informed, and culturally-informed education that emphasizes inclusive practice with diverse and oppressed populations living in urban, rural, and small-town communities, both domestically and internationally. Students who attend from any state other than Idaho are advised to check the NC Sara standards to discover if there are additional requirements to become licensed in their state.

Students will be able to choose from two specializations (both specializations prepare students to work on their clinical license):

Clinical Mental Health and Addictions (CMHA)
Integrated Clinical and Community Practice (ICCP)

Northwest Nazarene University's social work program is nationally accredited at the undergraduate and graduate levels by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Program Characteristics

Class sizes vary based on the type of course but are typically 20 students per class.

Students are enrolled using the cohort model. However, substantial flexibility is available for those who request a part-time schedule.

Normally, students are enrolled in 10-12 credits each semester, including courses in practice, human behavior, policy, applied research, field instruction, and electives. Students must also take courses in the summer, which is an 8-week semester. Summer enrollment is usually 3 to 6 credits. Some one-credit electives are available in late summer as well.

Students in the online program will be enrolled in a mixture of semester courses of up to 10 credits, some in 8-week subsessions and some in 16-week sessions. Students will take classes in the Fall semester (or 2 8-week subsessions), the Spring semester (or 2 8-week subsessions), and one Summer 8-week subsession that ends before July 4th. Some one-credit electives are available in late summer as well.

The methodology is based upon the assumption that the faculty and students are equally responsible for learning. Students are expected to be self-directed, goal-oriented, and interested in applied learning.

The key to applied learning is application; all students, therefore, are expected to integrate theory and academic content with knowledge from research projects, work, and practicum experiences. Evaluation of progress is based not only on the evidence of grasping content but also upon evidence of application of content in the workplace and internship setting. All students must pass internship(s) and the Capstone course to graduate.

Mission

Grounded in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition, the mission of the Northwest Nazarene University MSW program is to prepare graduates for advanced micro, mezzo, and macro practice, professional leadership, and life-long learning. This is accomplished by providing an evidence-based, value-informed, and culturally-informed education that emphasizes inclusive practice with diverse and oppressed populations living in rural and small-town communities, both domestically and internationally.

Program Goals

To nurture in students a Christlike worldview that embraces the values and ethics of the profession, including personal integrity, global diversity, a just society, and spiritual enrichment.
To cultivate in students a passion for alleviating discrimination, poverty, oppression, and all other forms of injustice for at-risk populations, especially those living in rural and small-town settings.
To prepare students for advanced social work practice in rural and small-town settings through the presentation of a comprehensive curriculum that includes generalist and specialized content for working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
To provide students with a quality education and field experience (internship) in a creative learning environment that promotes the development and application of the Council on Social Work Education core competencies at both generalist and specialized levels (www.cswe.org).

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the program will be able to:

Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
Engage in policy practice.
Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Demonstrate understanding of rural social work practice.

Integrated Clinical and Community Practice (ICCP)

The purpose of this specialization is to combine training in a variety of fields of practice for students who are interested in clinical or community MSW practice but not exclusively psychotherapy. This specialization includes content on integrated behavioral health, child welfare, medical, social work, criminal justice, and macro practice. It also includes content at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice in these areas. The systems mentioned typically have crossover in client populations and also have similarities in practice approaches. The goal of this concentration is to help students understand how to practice in one or more of these areas of social work, including locations where they are co-located with other disciplines, while also appreciating the other systems with which their clients are likely to interact. A significant focus is on brief therapy and crisis intervention. Additionally, students will gain meaningful instruction on macro social work.

Field placement (internship) opportunities for child welfare include public and private child welfare agencies, juvenile justice programs, court settings, schools, foster care, integrated behavioral health, and adoption agencies. Field placement opportunities for schools include the option to begin working as a school social worker with the required waiver. Field placement opportunities for healthcare include VA clinics, dialysis centers, emergency rooms, community health clinics, home health and hospice agencies, and hospitals. Field placement opportunities for criminal justice include county, state, and federal jails and prisons, juvenile justice programs, and court settings. Students interested in macro practice can experience field placement opportunities in almost any setting. Specific agencies providing macro-opportunities include NASW, AARP, Salvation Army, and Health and Welfare.

Students in this specialization will complete 600 internship hours, which must include learning opportunities at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice. Ideally, all 600 hours should be completed in the same agency, but certain circumstances may warrant allowing a student to complete placement hours at two agencies.

Clinical Mental Health and Addictions

This specialization prepares students to provide psychotherapy and addiction services for individuals, families, and groups in rural and small-town settings. Students learn applicable theories for working in a behavioral health setting and have multiple opportunities to practice the application of those theories. Students also receive knowledge and skill development to develop professional relationships with diverse clients with alcohol, drug abuse, and/or behavioral addictions. Specific content on trauma-focused practice and play therapy is included, in addition to content on macro practice in community mental health or addiction settings. Field placement (internship) opportunities include community mental health agencies, inpatient mental health or addictions treatment settings, outpatient substance abuse treatment, or co-occurring mental health and addictions treatment.

Internship Expectations: Students in this specialization will complete 600 internship hours. A student can choose to complete all 600 hours in one area of practice (mental health or addictions) or split hours between both mental health and addictions. Ideal placements would provide students with experience in dual diagnosis treatment. All 600 hours should be focused on micro and mezzo practice, though students may count some macro hours as needed by their particular placement site.

Dual Specialization Option

There is an option to complete both specializations by following the Dual Specialization schedule. The Program Director must approve this option. For more details, please make an appointment with the Program Coordinator.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students from all academic disciplines are invited to apply to the Master of Social Work program. Those admitted to the graduate social work program may be admitted with Generalist status or Advanced Standing (Specialist) status, depending on the major or discipline associated with their bachelor's degree. They may apply to start in the Fall or Spring semester. Prospective students requesting admission to the program with either status must submit the following:

Background check, as explained on the Social Work application website. (Any applicant with a felony involving moral turpitude will not be admitted to the program. Applicants with any felony background may be asked to provide additional information to be considered for admittance. An applicant may be denied admittance if such background would mean the applicant is unable to be licensed as a social worker in Idaho.)
Proof of academic achievement. A four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university is a prerequisite for admission to the Northwest Nazarene University Graduate Social Work program. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is expected, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the applicant's major field of study. Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.75 may be considered for admission, provided that the GPA from the junior and senior years of their baccalaureate program is 3.0 or higher. (Note: Prospective students who do not meet the GPA requirement for admission may be asked to provide additional information to be considered for admittance.)
Evidence of having successfully completed (grade of C or higher) a minimum of 21 semester credits from the following liberal arts areas: psychology, sociology, ecology, political science, law, economics, business, statistics, research, and oral or written communication.
Evidence of potential to practice social work, such as submission of evaluation material from field supervisors in the applicant's baccalaureate program, letters of recommendation from supervisors in professional employment settings (or full-time volunteer settings, e.g., VISTA), letters of recommendation from faculty in a related field of study (e.g., religion, psychology, sociology, etc.).
Advanced standing applicants who completed their BSW degree more than five years prior to their admission will be required to take two refresher courses before beginning the MSW program. These refresher courses focus on content from Generalist Policy and Generalist Research. Applicants who earned their BSW more than 10 years prior to admission will also be required to complete the Generalist Comprehensive Assessment. Scores on that assessment will determine if an applicant is required to retake specific generalist-level courses. Applicants with master's degrees in other disciplines may also request some course waivers, though they would not be admitted as Advanced Standing.
Personal statement/writing sample.
Basic knowledge of computer technology, including good word processing skills and virtual/online meetings.
Strong evidence of a fit between the applicant, the program, and the field of social work as determined through a review of application materials and participation in the departmental interview process.
All applicants will participate in an interview with one of the MSW faculty members, which will include a role-play interaction with a pretend client.

Please note: Academic credit is not given for life or work experiences.

Transfer of Credits

A maximum of 25% of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another CSWE-accredited institution. All transfer credits must have received at least a "B" letter grade and be approved by the program director. Credits must have been earned within five years preceding the date of admission.

Note: A student who has completed the entire Generalist curriculum at another university within the last five years may be permitted to transfer all Generalist courses. For a student who has Generalist courses older than five years, they will be subject to the advanced standing policy note above.

Graduate Social Work Program Expectations for Student Learning

CSWE standards and the NASW Code of Ethics will be followed.

Students are expected to consult with faculty advisors to discuss learning goals and progress toward those goals during their graduate education. Students are expected to see the program coordinator for class selections.

Students are required to maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA, and they must also remain in compliance with the Professional Disposition Criteria during the entire MSW program of study to remain in "good standing." Refer to academic standing and dismissal policy.

All written reports and term papers are to be prepared in a manner that reflects the most recent APA formatting with an emphasis on grammar as identified in the syllabus. Plagiarism will be dealt with through the Professional Disposition Criteria and may result in removal from the program. It will also be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs.

Specialized students (in all concentrations) must participate in counseling for 8-10 consecutive sessions with a master's level, licensed mental health provider. These must be completed during the two semesters of the specialized internship. The completed sessions are prerequisites to enrollment in Capstone and/ or receiving a final grade for Thesis.

An important component of the Social Work program is to challenge students' current perspectives and biases. This is done through presentations by guest speakers, videos, or readings that might be considered objectionable or offensive to some individuals outside of an educational environment. The issues that might be raised by these activities will be processed in class discussions. If these activities trigger an emotional response for particular students, this can be processed privately with professors or counselors as needed. No exceptions or alternative assignments are available, nor will they be accepted.

Absence Policy: Perfect attendance is expected in all courses. All classes include a requirement of participation.  When an absence occurs, the ability to make up work is not guaranteed (e.g., quizzes, tests, presentations, etc.).  Decisions related to making up work are at the discretion of the class instructor.  The maximum participation points that can be earned through make-up work is 80%, but only if the student provides prior notice of the absence. If a student misses more than 20% of class attendance, they may be administratively withdrawn from the class.

Students who have a major life event (birth of a child, the death of an immediate family member, military deployment, extended illness, etc.) resulting in multiple absences may petition for a grade of incomplete, at which time the student may need to attend part or all of the class the next time it is offered (not re-register) or negotiate an independent study completion with their professor(s), if available. 

Snow Policy: Official decisions about the closure of the Nampa campus due to weather will be communicated to all students from the Social Work office at least one hour prior to the beginning of class on a given day. Attempts will be made to make this announcement at least two hours prior. Barring the closure of the Nampa campus, classes will be held regardless of the weather. When inclement weather occurs in Idaho Falls, students attending class there are expected to make an informed decision about the safety of attending class on a given day. In the event that a student determines it is unsafe to attend class, the student should notify the professor at least one hour prior to the beginning of class. The student may be required to attend the class online. Otherwise, the student is responsible for getting content from the professor for the missed class.

Late Work Policy: Students are expected to turn in all work on or before the due date. Students are responsible for contacting the instructor as soon as possible concerning events that may impact course requirements and deadlines. Late assignments will be marked down 10% per day and will not be accepted after five calendar days from the due date. Instructors will handle chronically late submissions of assignments on an individual basis.

Social Media Policy: Our social media policy, as recommended by NASW Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice, 4.04 Social Media Policies, is: “When using online social media for educational purposes, social work educators shall provide students with guidance about ethical considerations. Interpretation: When using social media for educational purposes, it is important for students to understand how to use social media in a professional manner. The type of language, personal disclosures, and ways of communicating that students use for personal purposes may not be appropriate for classroom or professional social work purposes. Social work educators should inform students about organizational policies and relevant standards related to confidentiality, demonstrating respect, academic integrity, copyright, and plagiarism, maintaining appropriate boundaries, and upholding other social work ethical standards.

Standing

Generalist Standing: Students who enter the Master of Social Work program from disciplines other than social work are given Generalist Standing. The generalist courses are taken during the first three semesters of the program. A student who received a B.S. or B.A. in a related field (e.g., psychology) may request a waiver of select generalist courses, which will be assessed by the program director. NNU Generalist students must successfully complete a comprehensive assessment prior to continuing to the Specialized year.

Students who have a master's degree in another discipline may request course waivers from the Generalist and possibly the Advanced Standing courses (e.g., Introduction to Research & Practical Research if a Thesis was completed).

Advanced Standing: The Advanced Standing option was developed to recognize the academic accomplishments of applicants who have completed a B.A. in Social Work or a BSW from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Criteria for admission to Advanced Standing status are the same as generalist status admission requirements with the addition of the following requirements:

Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for the last 90 quarter credits or the last 60 semester credits in their baccalaureate program.
A grade of B- (2.7) or higher is required in all upper-division social work classes. Any classes with anything lower than a B- will have to be re-taken at the NNU Generalist level.
Applicants must have completed their BSW within five years of enrollment in this MSW program. Applicants who completed their degree more than five years prior to enrollment will be required to take two refresher courses before beginning the MSW program. These refresher courses focus on content from Generalist Policy and Generalist Research. Applicants who earned their BSW more than 10 years prior to admission will also be required to complete the Generalist Comprehensive Assessment. Scores on that assessment will determine if an applicant is required to retake specific generalist-level courses.
At the time of matriculation, it is preferred that applicants have at least one year of full-time experience in the social work field, extensive volunteer experience in human services settings, and extensive experience with diverse populations.

Continuous Enrollment

Once fully admitted to the MSW program, students must maintain "continuous" enrollment. Continuous enrollment is defined as registering for at least one credit of coursework each semester until graduation requirements are fulfilled. In rare cases, when a student can verify that a circumstance beyond their control, such as serious medical problems or military duty, prevents them from completing the program within the five-year period, an application for "an extension of time to complete the program" may be submitted. The program director will evaluate the validity of the request and determine the best way to proceed. Except for these rare circumstances, the program must be completed satisfactorily within five years of matriculation. Students who delay program completion for more than 5 years without an approved extension, may have to retake courses completed more than 5 years before.

Students who stop out from school in between semesters will need to submit their return plan to the Program Director. Students may return after one or two semesters or before one year from withdrawal without having to reapply. However, they will need to submit in writing what has occurred since their departure from the program. Students who withdraw mid-semester may be subject to non-passing grades in the courses in which the student is enrolled in the quad or semester of the withdrawal. If a student withdraws from a course that has an L grade, the student may receive an F in that course if the course is not completed. Depending on the nature of the withdrawal (including but not limited to academic performance, history, and dispositional concerns versus personal circumstances), the student may be asked to meet with the program director prior to re-entry. Re-entry into the program is not guaranteed. Readmitted students will need to fulfill the requirements of the most recent version of the catalog.

Academic Standing and Dismissal Policy

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to remain in good standing in the MSW program at Northwest Nazarene University. If a student drops below a cumulative GPA of 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation for the duration of one semester and receive a letter from the program director outlining the requirements of probation. Academic probation includes an academic plan for improvement created collaboratively and signed by the student and program director. The student must earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the probation semester. If the student fails to earn a minimum GPA of 3.0, if the cumulative GPA still falls below the required 3.0, or if the student fails to meet the requirements of the academic improvement plan, the student may be academically dismissed from the program. Students are notified of academic dismissal by the program director in writing.
Students who earn lower than a B- in two courses may be placed on academic probation, as outlined above. If a student earns less than a B- in the same course twice, they may be removed from the program.
Students must pass all content classes (non-field/internship courses) with a grade of B- or better. Students who fail to meet this expectation must re-enroll and pass the class with a B- or better in order for the class to contribute toward graduation requirements by the program.
Students must secure a satisfactory field placement that is approved by the Field Director in order to start Field Instruction. Students who are unable to meet this expectation for reasons related to the disposition policy may be academically dismissed from the program. The decision regarding removal will be made by the Field Director in consultation with the Program Director. Faculty may delay a student’s entrance into a field placement for reasons outlined in the Student Field Manual.
Students must pass all Field Placement courses (SOWK6570, SOWK6571, SOWK7670 & SOWK7671) with a grade of B or better. Students who fail to meet this expectation must take SOWK6101 Professionalism 101 and pass the class with a B or better for the class to contribute toward graduation requirements by the program. A non-passing grade in field placement (SOWK6570 or SOWK7670) will result in a student being asked to meet with the full faculty. Unless there are significant extenuating circumstances, the student will be dismissed from the program for at least one year.
Cheating and plagiarism constitute unprofessional conduct and are violations of the ethical standards of the profession. Students who are found to be cheating or plagiarizing may be academically dismissed from the MSW program, as identified above.
If a student earns a B- or below in SOWK7690 MSW Capstone, she/he will be required to wait a year before retaking the course. The student will be given a written remediation plan that will include recommended core courses to audit that focus on failed competencies and/or be required to repeat field placement hours. If continuing in field placement, registration is necessary. Failing MSW Capstone twice will result in automatic dismissal from the program.

Professional Disposition Assessments and Dismissal Policy

Department faculty and staff engage in a systematic and ongoing developmental review of student progress throughout the program. Any student demonstrating challenges in academic, professional, or personal development may be subject to review at any point in the program. Becoming a competent social worker is not just about academic performance. A crucial part of being a competent social worker is related to a person's professional disposition (attitude, behavior, and demeanor). As a result, students may be subject to faculty interventions for non-academic reasons, even if their academic work is excellent. The purpose of the professional disposition assessment is to provide a framework for evaluating these crucial characteristics of students.

There are four basic principles that govern the professional disposition assessment process:

A progressive disciplinary approach to consequences, whenever possible
Respecting differences while maintaining professional standards of the discipline
Timely and transparent communication with a student when dispositional concerns arise
A process that aids the student in amelioration of the identified dispositional concerns as applicable

Examples of faculty and departmental responses include but are not limited to:

Meet with full faculty
Behavioral contracts
Required counseling
Probation
Delayed entry into specialized courses and/or field placement
Dismissal from the program

The complete professional disposition assessment and policy are included in the Social Work Field Manual.

A student is expected to notify the program director as soon as possible in the event of a substance abuse relapse, mental health crisis, or criminal offense charge during the student's tenure in the MSW program. Upon notification of a relapse, an academic plan will be created collaboratively and will be signed by the student and the program director. Upon notification of a mental health crisis that requires hospitalization or interferes with the student's ability to work with clients or participate in class, the student will need to meet with the MSW faculty to evaluate their continuation in the semester/program (NASW Code of Ethics, Section 4.05, A & B). Upon notification of a criminal offense charge the student may be subject to dismissal from the program. Consideration will be given to the student based on early disclosure and the nature of the charge.

Any form of discrimination or disrespect shown to persons on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, immigration status, race, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation is contrary to the purposes and values of social work and will result in a review of the student's status.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates who are accepted as generalist students must complete a minimum of 63 semester credits. Candidates who are accepted as advanced standing students must complete a minimum of 41 semester credits.
The candidate must complete program requirements with no grade lower than a B- (2.70) and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Students must pass all Field Placement courses (SOWK6570, SOWK6571, SOWK7670, & SOWK7671) and SOWK7690 Capstone with a grade of B or better. The SOWK 7690 Capstone class must be taken within one year of completion of SOWK7670 & SOWK7671. Otherwise, the student will need to complete 300 more hours of internship (one semester) and take another seminar course (one semester) to register for the Capstone class.
Students (in all specializations) must participate in counseling for 8-10 consecutive sessions with a Masters level, licensed mental health provider. These must be completed during the two semesters of the specialized internship. The completed sessions are prerequisites to enrollment in Capstone and/or receiving a final grade for Thesis.
Students must pass the Specialized comprehensive assessment. This is a zero-credit pass/fail course. Those who fail will need to pass a follow-up assessment on the competencies that were not passed in the original assessment.
The candidate must apply for the degree one full semester prior to anticipated degree completion. The deadlines are June 1 for Fall, October 15 for Spring, and January 15 for Summer.

The program must be completed satisfactorily within five years of matriculation. In rare cases, when a student can verify that a circumstance beyond their control, such as serious medical problems or military duty, prevents them from completing the program within the five-year period, an application for "an extension of time to complete the program" may be submitted. The program director will evaluate the validity of the request and determine the best way to proceed.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights

All students in the NNU Social Work Program have the following rights:

Students have the right to be treated with respect by all professors, staff, and students in the program, regardless of their age, caste, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, generational status, immigration status, legal status, marital status, political ideology, race, nationality, religion and spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, tribal sovereign status.

Students have the right to expect certain practices from their professors. These include establishing clear course objectives and requirements through the use of the syllabus, clearly outlining the grading scale and criteria, evaluating students fairly, holding regularly scheduled office hours, recognizing student contributions to a professor’s personal academic work, and safeguarding students’ intellectual freedom.

Students have the right to be informed of policies and procedures that impact their admittance to the social work program. Students also have the right to be informed of policies and procedures related to academic performance and the assessment of that performance. This includes the right to be informed of policies and procedures related to field placement (including requirements of a placement, procedures for securing a field placement, the process for evaluating the field placement, and access to all necessary field forms and information) and the professional disposition process.

Students have the right to voice concerns about their educational experience through appropriate channels and according to the NASW Code of Ethics, including regarding departmental policies and curriculum, without fear of retribution from faculty or staff.

Students have the right to lodge complaints. The complaint process should be started as soon after the incident as possible. For example, complaints may be made about improper instructor behavior, poor oral communication skills, scheduling exams outside of the approved exam times, failure to provide disability accommodations, grading complaints, and other similar problems. Only in extreme circumstances can a complaint-related process start more than six months after the incident.

If you have a complaint about any other aspect of a course, such as the classroom environment, the instructor, the course’s grading system, class activities (including online and out-of-class activities), or unfair treatment, please take the following steps:

Talk with your instructor about the situation.
If the problem is not resolved, you may contact the MSW Program Director.
If the problem is still not resolved or if you are not comfortable talking to the Program Director, MSW students may contact the Chair of the Social Work Department.
To appeal the decisions made during this complaint process, the student may write a formal letter of appeal (by email or postal mail) to the Dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Dr. Lawanna Pierce, to discuss the complaint. The letter should describe the situation and the student's attempts to find a solution. If you have copies of relevant documents, please include them with your complaint. All completed assignments, tests, quizzes, and other materials—aside from grade records—must be turned in by students who have grading grievances. (Grades cannot be changed without the department's consent; all grade records are kept by the departments).
If the situation is still unresolved, the student may submit a written appeal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), Dr. Brad Kurtz-Shaw.

If a student wants to appeal the grade they received in a course, they must follow the NNU Academic Appeals Policy (see in the catalog). The appeal forms are available on the NNU Registrar’s page on the NNU website (nnu.edu), under "Forms," and then choose "Graduate and Professional Studies Forms".

Students have the right to be informed of the harassment and bullying policy at NNU and to be told how to contact the Title IX coordinator in the event that the student experiences harassment or bullying either during on-campus activities or at field placement sites. If you are a student who has a concern about unwelcomed sexual behavior or sexual harassment, disregard the steps outlined above and immediately schedule an appointment with the Title IX Coordinator, Sheila Bryant (208-467-8062).

Students with complaints about discrimination also may contact the Multicultural Engagement Director.

Students have the right to be informed of contact information for disability services and to be given accommodations as deemed appropriate by the Disability Services Coordinator. Students with complaints about disability accommodation should notify Dr. Heidi Tracht at the Center for Academic Success and Advising.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for knowing the information contained in the catalog and field manual. All students are expected to abide by the expectations listed in the catalog and the field manual.

Students have a responsibility to secure a field placement in consultation with the appropriate Field Director. The catalog and field manual contains important information that students are expected to become familiar with. You still have to follow the guidelines and instructions outlined in them, even if you didn't read them. You must get in touch with the field director if you want to request an exception to any rule or procedure.

Students are responsible for regularly reading and responding to the emails they receive through their NNU email account.

Students are responsible for their participation in class. Students who engage in other non-class activities, such as using a cell phone and working on an assignment for another course, as well as those who nap in class or read outside-of-class materials, interfere with the learning process. The learning process is compromised by this behavior, which disturbs the learning environment for everyone involved.

Students are responsible for their conduct at all times, which is expected to conform to the NASW Code of Ethics, the catalog, and the field manual. Thus, students will refrain from using abusive or disrespectful language. The use of abusive or disrespectful language damages the classroom environment. A student is in violation of the catalog when they act inappropriately in class. When a student disrupts a class physically or verbally, the instructor will either refer the situation to the program director or take immediate disciplinary action.

Students are responsible for notifying their professors if they will be absent from class. If there was an emergency, the student should notify their professor as soon as possible to explain why they missed class. Sometimes, alternative assignments are made available by professors, but not always. Students are expected to proactively seek the information they missed in that class section.

Students are responsible for turning in their assignments on time. Students should contact their professors about any assignment that they know will be late. It is up to the professor’s discretion how the missed assignment will be handled. If a student did not submit an assignment on time due to a last-minute emergency, the student should notify their professors as early as possible and explain the delay.

Students are responsible for watching instructional videos that are assigned by their professors. This includes videos about Canvas or Tevera.

To complete the requirements of their major(s), minor(s), or graduate degree, students are responsible for contacting university faculty and staff for assistance and making use of the resources offered. Every student should have regular meetings with their academic advisor to go over their progress toward the degree they want to pursue.

Students are responsible for making sure that they will complete their degree requirements. This entails fulfilling the administrative and academic requirements listed in the catalog for the major or graduate degree. Although the faculty and other professionals will make every effort to assist you in fulfilling all requirements, it is ultimately your responsibility to do so. You are accountable for being aware of the requirements, meeting with your advisor on a regular basis to discuss your progress, and clarifying any information that is unclear to you.

Students have a responsibility to complete course evaluations and voice concerns about social work department policies, procedures, and curriculum as they arise and to do so in a respectful manner, in accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics (see If you have a complaint section).