Departmental Learning Outcomes

Departmental Learning Outcomes

CSWE Competencies 

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

• make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context
• use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations
• demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication
• use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes
• use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior

Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

• apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels
• present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences
• apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies

Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

• apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels
• engage in practice that advance social, economic, and environmental justice

Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice

• use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research
• apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative research methods and research findings 
• use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, service delivery

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

• identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services
• assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services
• apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human right and social, economic, and environmental justice

Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

• apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies
• use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies

Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

• collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies
• apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies
• develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies
• select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies 

Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

• critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies
• apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients ad constituencies
• use inter-personal collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes
• negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies
• facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals

Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

• select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes
• apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes 
• critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes
• apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels

MSW EPAS Competencies

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

• make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context
• use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice solutions
• demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and oral, written, and electronic communication
• use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes
• use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior
• practice person reflection and self-correction to assure continual professional development
• evidences professional discipline and maturity
• develops, manages, and maintains therapeutic relationships within the person-in-environment perspective
• is knowledgeable and abides by laws relevant to clinical social work

Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

• apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels
• present themselves as a learner and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences
• apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of your personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies
• evidences an educated understanding of human behavior, and has specialized knowledge of populations and issues served by the field agency
• treats diverse clients with dignity and respect

Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

• apply your understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels
• engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice
• recognizes that client has basic human rights, such as self-determination, safety, privacy, adequate standard of living, health care and education
• advocates for universal assess to health and mental health care

Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice

• use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research
• apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings
• use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice effectiveness and/or outcomes
• use the evidence based practice process in clinical assessment and intervention with clients

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

• identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services
• assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services
• apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
• communicate to stakeholders the implication of policies and policy change in the lives of clients
• use evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence in advocacy for policies that advance social and economic well-being
• advocate with and inform administrators and legislators to influence policies that impact clients and service

Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Organizations, and Communities

• apply knowledge of human behavior and the social experiment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies
• use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies
• develop a culturally responsive therapeutic relationship
• establish a relationally based process that encourages clients to be equal participants in the establishment of treatment goals and expected outcomes

Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 

• collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies
• apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies
• develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies
• select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies
• use multidimensional bio-psych-social-spiritual assessment tools
• select and modify appropriate intervention strategies based on continuous clinical assessment 

Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

• critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies 
• apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies 
• use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes
• negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies
• facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals
• demonstrates the selection and clinical application of academic theoretical material in work with clients congruent with their needs
• demonstrates ability to creatively problem solve
• demonstrates ability to formulate alternative treatment options
• completes written reports that are well organized, clear, and comprehensive, yet concise

Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 

•  select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes
• apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and the other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes
• critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes
• apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels
• uses research methodology to evaluate clinical practice effectiveness and outcomes
• uses research findings to improve practice, policy, and social service delivery