Policy Statement on Standards of Professional and Ethical Conduct
Standards
of Professional and Ethical Conduct
As the Rutgers University M.S.W. program
seeks to prepare students for professional and ethical social work practice,
M.S.W. students are expected to maintain a high level of professional and ethical
conduct and adhere as closely as possible to professional and ethical standards
articulated in the NASW Code of Ethics. The
following standards, distinguished from academic standards, describe the
preprofessional cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal standards necessary
to provide reasonable assurance that students can complete the entire course of
study and participate fully in all aspects of social work education and
practice. Acquisition of competence as a social worker is a lengthy and complex
process that will be undermined by significant limitations of the student's
ability to participate in the full spectrum of the experiences and the requirements
of the curriculum.
Students in the School of
Social Work are expected to possess the following abilities and attributes at a
level appropriate to their years in the program. They are expected to meet
these standards in the classroom and in their field education practice.
Attention to these standards will be evaluated in students' classroom and
practicum performances.
Professional
Communication
The social work student
must communicate effectively and professionally with other students, faculty,
staff, clients, field supervisors, and other professionals. These standards
include, but are not limited to, civility
and respectful communication; respectful attention and responsiveness to
feedback in communication; self-awareness in communication, including the
ability to control one's emotional reactions and personal stress in
communications with others; the ability to effectively communicate academic and
professional challenges and problem solve around these challenges with
appropriate supports; and the minimization of inappropriate mobile
communication device usage in professional and academic settings.
Professional Commitment
and Behavior
The social work student
must behave professionally and demonstrate a commitment to the professional
values and ethics at a level appropriate to their years in the program. Demonstration of professional commitment and
behavior includes, but is not limited to, adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics (including but not limited to a
confidentiality; adherence to appropriate professional boundaries in client [current and former]-worker relationships; confidentiality); investment in
one's education (including, but not limited to, class and field attendance,
preparation for and active participation in class); demonstration of initiative
and self-motivation in classroom and field settings; self-care and the ability
to control emotional reactions and personal stress so it does not impact
professional judgement and performance; appropriate professional attire in
professional settings; and, refrain from impaired
practice
by allowing their own personal problems, substance abuse, or mental health
difficulties to interfere with their professional judgment and performance.
Respect for Diversity and Commitment to Social Justice
The social work student
must appreciate the value of human diversity and demonstrate a commitment to
understanding cultural difference and practicing cultural humility. The student
must serve in an appropriate manner all persons in need of assistance,
regardless of the person's age, class, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation (or
lack thereof), gender identification, ability, sexual orientation, and value
system. The student should also respect cultural differences among their peers,
faculty, supervisors, and other professionals. The student should recognize how larger social inequalities impact the
individuals and communities they serve and integrate social work methods that
address
the eradication of social injustice
into their practice as professionally appropriate.
Degree Programs 
