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Program Retention

Retention in the MSW Program at CUNY York College

The criteria for retention in the MSW Program at CUNY York College are:

  • A grade of "B" or better in each Social Work course.
  • Scholars who earn an unacceptable grade (below B) in a Social Work course will have one additional attempt to repeat the course and earn an acceptable grade. The Program Director's permission is required to repeat a course.
  • Maintenance of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is required.
  • Social Work majors must have a GPA of 3.0 or better to graduate. 
  • Only permitted to repeat one course up to 4 credits for the duration of enrollment in the program.

At the end of each semester, the scholar’s semester GPA and cumulative GPA (CUM GPA) are calculated. If a scholar’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.0, the scholar is placed on Academic Probation for the subsequent semester. The Program Director will convene an academic standing review conference to evaluate the scholar’s academic performance and retention in the MSW Program.  Scholars receiving a grade lower than B in any social work course will have to pass the repeated course with a grade of B or higher to remove their probationary status; even if their cumulative GPA is at a 3.0. Failure to raise the GPA (or achieve a grade of B or higher) or in the case that it would not be possible, will result in dismissal from the program.

NE: Adherence to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and to the York College Code of Conduct. Failure to meet any one of the criteria listed above may be grounds for probation or the scholar’s dismissal from the MSW Program at CUNY York College.