Social Work Program

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CODE OF ETHICS

1. Social work students’ ethical responsibilities to learning
	1.1	Social work students should understand that the program offers a generalist method foundation; upon graduation practice should be completed within this framework.
	1.2	Social work students may not cheat. [Definition: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids or other devices in any academic exercise. This definition includes unauthorized communication (oral and/or written) or receipt of such information during an academic exercise].
		a.	Dishonesty, Fraud, and Deception: As cited in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code 4, Social work students should not participate in, condone, or be associated with dishonesty, fraud, and/or deception.
		b.	Fabrication and Falsification: Falsification is a matter of altering information, while fabrication is a matter of inventing or counterfeiting information for use in any academic exercise.
		c.	Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly presenting the words or ideas of another as one’s own without proper acknowledgement of the source.
		d.	Abuse of Academic Materials: Intentionally or knowingly destroying, stealing, or making materials inaccessible (i.e. library, social work resource room, or other academic resources).
		e.	Complicity in Academic Dishonesty: Intentionally, knowingly helping, or attempting to help another to commit an act of academic dishonesty.
	1.3	Pre-social work majors should make an earnest effort to complete volunteer work that is meaningful for one’s social work education and interest.

2. Social work students’ ethical responsibilities to other students
	2.1	Social work students must respect the differences of other students’ opinions.
	2.2	Social work students should not intentionally disrupt classes in any form or manner.
	2.3	Social work students must ensure that the description of their involvement and status in the CASW are cited accurately and in accordance with the CASW constitution.
	2.4	Social work students should not act in a way that endangers other students, faculty, and/or clients.
	2.5	Social work students may not bring frivolous or false charges against other students.
	2.6	Social work students who observe, believe, or suspect another student of cheating in any graded assignment must immediately bring the matter to the attention of the instructor.

3. Social work students’ ethical responsibilities to professors and the Social Work Program
	3.1	Social work students should conduct themselves as an entry-level professional at all times on and off campus.
	3.2	Social work students must fully embrace the generalist model as a perspective for social work practice
	3.3	Social work students are obligated to live up to their full intellectual potential in completing assignments.
	3.4	Social work students should focus on course content and practice application rather than preoccupation with grades.Social work students should conduct themselves as an entry-level professional at all times on and off campus.
	3.5	Social work students who question the ethical validity of the field agencies’ assignments and/or the Coordinator of Field Instruction's policies and procedures are obligated to confer with a Social Work department faculty member.

4. Social work students’ ethical responsibilities to field work client systems
	4.1	Students are obligated to comply with all ethical responsibilities to client systems as articulated in the NASW Code of Ethics (standards 1.01-1.16). The following ethical standards relevant to the activities of all social work students include: Commitment to Clients, Self-Determination, Informed Consent, Competence, Cultural Competence and Social Diversity, Conflicts of Interest, Privacy and Confidentiality, Access to Records, Sexual Relationships, Physical Contact, Sexual Harassment, Derogatory Language, Payment for Services, Clients Who Lack Decision-Making Capacity, Interruption of Services, and Termination of Services.
	4.2	Social work students who are involved in volunteer work and/or field work and are confused about an impendingethical issue should consult the setting supervisor and a Social Work faculty member.

5. Social work students’ ethical responsibilities to field instructors
	5.1	Social work students are obligated to fulfill the terms of the Agency-Student-University-Contract.
		a.	Adhere to professional ethics and conform to the usual standards and practices of the agency.
		b.	Meet work requirements as regularly scheduled by the agency within theUniversity’s requirement of four days a week for the semester of fieldwork placement.
		c.	Observe accuracy and promptness in preparation of correspondence, records and reports.
		d.	Relate to appointed agency field instructor in matters of consultation and supervision, keeping the field instructor informed of activities and progress.
		e.	Provide professionally sound and appropriate services to clients.
	5.2	Social work students are obligated to complete field assignments in a committed, serious, and purposeful fashion.
	5.3	Social work students are obligated to live up to their full intellectual ability when completing their field work experience.
	5.4	Social work students are obligated to comply with field agency policies and procedures.
	5.5	Social work students who question the ethical validity of the field agencies’ assignments and/or the Coordinator of Field Instruction's policies and procedures are obligated to confer with the field site instructor.

6. Students’ ethical responsibilities to The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP)
	6.1	Social work students should act in a manner that brings a positive image or credit to UNCP.
	6.2	Social work students are obligated to comply with the UNCP Student Honor Code.
	6.3	Social work students are obligated to refrain from defacing UNCP property and equipment.

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Social Work Program
PO Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372-1510
Phone: 910.521.6778
Fax: 910.521.6688
Email: socialwork@uncp.edu