Advanced Standing Students

You will register for courses using MyUAlbany. In order to register, you will need your Personal Identification Number (PIN) for MyUAlbany and your Advisement Verification Number (AVN) for Summer 2026.  

• The University will provide the PIN and directions for using MyUAlbany. This notice will be sent to the email address listed on your graduate application. The email will be sent one to two weeks after you confirm your acceptance. If you do not receive this email, contact the Information Technology Services Help Desk at 518-442-3700.
• The School of Social Welfare will provide your AVN. Your AVN is used to verify that you’ve received academic advisement about the courses to take for the upcoming semester and are moving toward completing the degree requirements in an academically feasible manner. It will be emailed to students who have accepted admission into the Advanced Standing program on Wednesday, April 1 at noon. The AVN will be emailed directly to your Albany.edu email address ONLY! (In future semesters, you will receive your AVN directly from your academic advisor. )

Please log onto MyUAlbany and familiarize yourself with the system before you register. If you have questions about MyUAlbany or your PIN, call the Information Technology Services Help Desk at 518-442-3700 for assistance. If you have questions about your AVN or social work courses, please contact the School of Social Welfare Help Desk at 518-442-5320 or [email protected].

Advisement and registration for Fall 2026 will take place during the summer semester. The School of Social Welfare reserves a certain number of seats in Fall courses for advanced standing students.

Exemption exams are a great option to consider if you did not receive 21 Advanced Standing credits. 

If you have the knowledge of the generalist social work courses and did not receive Advanced Standing credit for the policy, human behavior or research course, you can be granted an exemption from selected courses by passing the appropriate exemption examination. You'll then substitute 3 credits of electives for each course.  

You are eligible to take exemption exams for the following courses:  

SSW 600- Social Welfare Policy and Practice

This course is an introduction to the analysis of social policies and programs, based upon frameworks of policy dimensions, values and knowledge.

Objectives include:  

• knowledge of selected social policies and programs in historical and contemporary context
• awareness of differential impact on at-risk oppressed populations
• understanding of political, economic, ideological context and role of social values in social policy formulation, modification, change, monitoring and evaluation
• ability to analyze critical policies and their implications for social work practice including issues of social and economic justice, discrimination and oppression

SSW 610- Human Behavior and Social Environment I

This is an introductory course that focuses on bio-psycho-social development and the nature and impact of oppression and discrimination as individuals and families transact with their environment through the life cycle.

Objectives include: 

• understanding and evaluating different theoretical perspectives and empirical knowledge about human development
• understanding interactions among human biological, social, psychological, economic, cultural and environmental systems
• understanding factors affecting development of women, people who belong to ethnic and racial minority groups, people who identify as non-heterosexual and non-cisgender, people with disabilities and other emerging and historically oppressed groups
• understanding age-related tasks associated with different life stages as affected by culture, economics, historical time and gender
• understanding the effect of oppression, discrimination, privilege and power

SSW 660- ITP IV Research and Evaluation 

Introduction to research methods in social work is a generalist course that focuses on a variety of methodological techniques with an emphasis on social welfare practice.  

Objectives include:  

• defining social work research problems
• developing and testing hypothesis
• the logic of causal inference, sampling, measurement including reliability and validity
• basic skills in data analysis and research utilization
• ethical considerations
• evaluating quality and relevance of research studies for practice and policy
• understanding the complex relationship between human diversity and the research process
  In addition this course will cover the basic concepts and principles of qualitative methods.

Additional Information

Exemption exams will be given on Tuesday, May 19 from TBD. There will be another opportunity to take the exemption exams on August 20.  

Exemption exams are only available to matriculated students (accepted into the MSW program) and may only be taken once. All exams are closed book.  Since exemption exams are based on previous learning, there are no study materials available. If you think you have covered the course content in other classes, we recommend you review previous textbooks and notebooks. All exams are short answer and essay, except for the SSW 660 ITP IV Research and Evaluation exam, which is multiple choice.

If you wish to take one or more exams, reserve a place by emailing the School of Social Welfare Help Desk ([email protected]) or calling 518-442-5320.

You are able to change program status to full time or part time, but your advanced standing credits will not apply toward the full time or part time program. You would need to complete 60 credits if you opt for the full time or part time program. Please note the School of Social Welfare defines full-time study as 12 credits. However, other agencies or institutions may define it differently.

If you are required to be a full-time student for a specific reason (e.g. health insurance or student loans), be sure to check with the source setting this requirement (e.g. your health insurance company or bank, etc.).

Deferring Admission

You can defer your admission for one year. In order to do so, you must follow the instructions under the “Confirmation of Acceptance” link in your electronic acceptance letter. Please note that there is a fee to defer.

Deferral for one year is automatically granted. You will need to submit a request via the Graduate Term Change Deposit link in your electronic acceptance letter. Applications can be deferred for up to one year of the original application admit term. You will have to reapply to the program if you wish to defer for more than one year. 

Please note the University at Albany requirements in your admissions letter and start early to complete them. All health requirements must be completed before you can begin field instruction.

If you would like to visit the campus, please contact the School of Social Welfare Help Desk ([email protected] or 518-442-5320) to schedule a tour. Please note we have an in-person Accepted Students Day scheduled on March 25 at 4:30pm on the Downtown Campus.

As for obtaining books for classes, professors will provide you with the syllabus and list of textbooks on the first day. We do not keep a centralized record of each text that is being used in classes.
 

As soon as your BSW senior year field practicum is finished, please email either a copy of your timesheets or a brief letter from your field office that demonstrates exactly how many hours you completed overall. This can vary from school to school, so we need this information to assure you all complete the minimum required hours in your Advanced Standing program! Please submit this information as soon as possible to [email protected]. 

Advanced Standing field practicums are selected by the field office. When assigning a field practicum, the Field Office considers: 

1. students’ areas of interest and selected concentration
2. previous practice experiences
3. additional skills and experiences that students want to acquire in preparation for their social work careers

We ask you to provide us with this information on the Field Practicum application so that we can make the best match possible. 

Once you have returned your field application and resume, we will begin the process of matching you with a qualified field practicum agency. You will receive your field assignment via email, before the start of field. Within 48 hours of receiving your field assignment, you are responsible for scheduling a pre‐practicum interview with the Field Instructor. 

Traditionally, this interview should occur in person. Students may schedule remote interviews if necessary. A useful guide to plan for this interview will be included with your field assignment email. 

At the interview, you will be able to discuss the available educational opportunities and agency services. Once your field instructor officially offers you the field practicum, you both must complete and sign the MSW Field Verification Form that will be included with your field assignment materials. The completed form must be returned to the Field Office as soon as it is completed in order to confirm your practicum. 

The AS field sequence is held at one agency. Agencies accepting Advanced Standing students are prepared to broaden students’ learning experiences by exposing them to different and challenging social work practice opportunities over the course of the practicum. 

The summer portion of field completes the generalist sequence for AS students. In the fall, AS students’ field classification changes to Advanced Concentration field, along with corresponding Advanced Generalist field.

Please Note: Because Advanced Standing students complete only one field practicum as part of their program, Employment Based Field cannot be considered for AS students. It is our responsibility to assure that you are exposed to a different organization so that you can experience a different organizational culture and climate, policies and procedures, hierarchy, leadership structure, etc. than at your place of employment. There are no exceptions to this policy. 

Advanced Generalist field occurs on Thursdays and Fridays. You are expected to be in field for two full 8-hour traditional workdays for a total of 16 hours a week, during the entirety of the field practicum. The only change to this schedule that can be requested is one 8-hour day and two 4-hour days, and this may only be requested to accommodate important learning opportunities at the field site; any request for an alternative field schedule requires prior approval by the Field Office.This continuity in scheduling is important for student learning, agency operations and consistency of client care. The field schedule also coincides with your class schedule each semester. Prior to the start of the summer semester, you will receive a formal field calendar to follow for each semester. 

Please Note: You will return to field PRIOR to the start of the spring academic semester, so please make necessary arrangements in advance.

Many organizations have strict security standards for staff and students working with certain populations.  Background checks, finger printing, and/or medical clearance may be required to qualify for a field practicum. When these procedures are required, students are responsible for meeting those requirements prior to starting field.  Students can submit original receipts for the cost of fingerprinting to the Field Office for reimbursement. Failure to complete onboarding requirements in a timely fashion may delay the start of field and, consequently, extend the time for completing field after the end of the academic year.  Students for whom background check and/or medical clearance could be an obstacle to placement into field should seek guidance from the Field Office early in the process. 

Course registration for field is as follows: 

• Summer semester: Field Instruction II (RSSW 651) 
• Fall semester: Field Instruction III (RSSW 752) 
• Spring semester: Field Instruction IV (RSSW 753) 

You'll register for RSSW 651 during the designated registration period for summer coursework. Permission is then required to register for the Fall semester field course (RSSW 752); this permission is issued by the Field Office after determining that you are in good standing with your summer field requirements. 

Within the first three weeks of 2nd field, students and Field Instructors will complete a Learning Agreement that will outline the micro, mezzo, and macro practicum learning opportunities. All 2nd field students will complete two Process Recordings per month.  Students must utilize the Process Recording template provided by the Field Office and may not utilize any form of recording or AI to aid in completing Process Recordings.  Lastly, students will receive 3 - 4 Evaluations and will submit two Attendance Forms within the academic year; the determination of competence in social work practice is based on satisfactory demonstration of advanced social work practice skills and completion of required field hours. 

Field Instruction is graded as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory (S or U). At the end of the summer sequence, a final grade is assigned for Field Instruction II (RSSW 651). 

The Advanced Concentration courses, Field Instruction III and IV, are considered a two-semester sequence of courses (RSSW 752 - fall semester and RSSW 753 - spring semester).  At the end of the first semester of this sequence, students receive a grade of “M” (two-semester sequence is in process) or “I” (Incomplete) for Field Instruction III (RSSW 752).  A grade of “M” does not impact your semester or overall GPA.  Upon successful completion of BOTH semesters of field (RSSW 752 and 753), students will receive a final grade of “S” (Satisfactory), “I” (Incomplete), or “U” (Unsatisfactory).  Students with “Incomplete’ must create a plan with the Field Office to complete the field practicum.  To remain in the MSW program and receive degree clearance, students must perform satisfactorily in field. 

You'll be assigned to a Field Liaison. Field liaisons provide a variety of supportive services designed to create cohesive working relationships between you and your Field Instructors. You will meet your Field Liaison at Field Orientation. You and your Field Instructors are in contact with your Field Liaison a minimum of once per semester and can contact them anytime regarding questions or issues in field.

If you plan to request accommodations in field due to a disability, you must make a formal request to the University at Albany’s Disability Access and Inclusion Student Services (DAISS), located at Campus Center 130, at (518) 442-5501 or [email protected].  DAISS will meet with you about your request.  For consideration of a request for accommodations in field due to a disability, the Field Office must receive an official letter from the DAISS.  Upon receipt of a letter from the DAISS, the Field Office will work with the student and DAISS representative(s) to evaluate if requested accommodation can be met in field while still meeting the essential requirements of the course. The Field Office will notify you with a decision regarding the request for accommodation in field. 

The School of Social Welfare has in place Standards for Social Work Education that provide essential guidance to you about field and the overall academic program. It is important to carefully review and adhere to these standards while in field. 

You are expected to meet and maintain the Standards for Social Work Education (“Standards”) established by the School. The Standards are comprised of expectations regarding both scholastic performance and professional behavior. 

You are expected to meet and maintain these standards in the classroom, in field, and in other contexts where you are acting as a social worker or social work student. Adherence to these standards will be the basis upon which you will be evaluated by faculty (including field instructors) who are responsible for evaluating your performance in the classroom and field. 

Meeting the criteria for scholastic performance is necessary, but is not the sole measure, to ensure continued enrollment in a program. You must also demonstrate professional competency and an understanding of and a commitment to the values and ethics of the social work profession. 

Advancement through the program is a privilege, not a right. The academic performance standards established by the School that you are expected to meet and maintain are: Basic Skills Necessary to Acquire Professional Competence; Coping Skills; Professional Performance Skills; and Scholastic Performance. 

Communication Skills 

You must demonstrate sufficient written and oral skills to: 

• Communicate ideas and feelings clearly, effectively and sensitively with other students, faculty, staff, clients and professionals
• Understand and articulate the content presented in the program and to adequately complete all written and oral assignments
• You must also demonstrate a willingness and ability to listen to others. 

Interpersonal Skills 

You must demonstrate interpersonal skills to relate effectively with other students, faculty, staff, clients and professionals. These skills include, but are not limited to, flexibility, empathy, nonjudgmental attitude, respect, and the ability to listen, communicate and negotiate. 

Cognitive Skills 

You must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of social work and clarity of thinking to process information and apply it to situations in the classroom, field, and other professional situations. You must demonstrate the ability to conceptualize and integrate knowledge and apply that knowledge to social work practice.

Appreciation of Diversity 

Social work practice requires understanding, affirmation and respect of another individual’s way of life and values. You must demonstrate respect and sensitivity toward other students, faculty, staff, clients and professionals and others who are different from him/herself regardless of the person’s age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, gender identity, race, religion, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or value system. 

You must demonstrate the capacity to interact positively and effectively with other students, faculty, staff, clients and professionals at all times and to execute sound judgment and performance in the program. You must demonstrate appropriate coping skills in the face of personal or other circumstances, including seeking counseling or other sources of support and assistance, to ensure that such circumstances do not: 

• compromise academic performance
• interfere with professional judgment and behavior 
• jeopardize the best interests of those to whom the social work student has a professional responsibility.

Professional Commitment 

You must demonstrate a strong commitment to further social and economic justice and to serve persons who are vulnerable, marginalized or oppressed. 

Professional Conduct 

You must act professionally and responsibly in matters of punctuality, attendance, appearance and presentation of self. You must be able to advocate for yourself in an appropriate and responsible manner. 

You must be able to receive and accept feedback and supervision and apply such feedback to enhance professional development and self-awareness. You must demonstrate the capacity to recognize and maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries and use self-disclosure appropriately. 

Self-awareness 

Self-awareness is a key component of social work practice. You must be aware of how your values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions and past experiences affect your thinking, behavior and relationships with other students, faculty, staff, clients and professionals, including those in authority. 

You must be able to accurately assess your own strengths, limitations and suitability for professional practice. You must be able to examine and appropriately modify your behavior when it interferes with your professional work.

Ethical Obligations 

Your behavior must adhere to the ethical expectations and obligations of professional practice as delineated in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. 

Undergraduate Students 

Undergraduate social welfare majors must meet the academic standards defined in the Undergraduate Social Welfare Program Student Handbook and the Field Education Handbook, Undergraduate Program of the School of Social Welfare 

Graduate Students 

MSW students must meet the academic standards defined in the Graduate Faculty and Student Handbook and the MSW Field Education Handbook of the School of Social Welfare.