Program Goals

With the liberal arts as its foundation, BSW graduates are prepared to engage in entry-level generalist social work practice. Students are prepared for continuing their formal education in social work or another graduate discipline.  As such, it is our goal that by completion of the program, students will be prepared to:

• Engage in evidence-based entry-level generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations within a diverse and multicultural society.
• Practice according to the principles, values, and ethics that guide the social work profession within an interprofessional context.
• Influence social policies with the goals of alleviating poverty, oppression, and social injustice as well as advocating for human rights.
• Identify and assess the bio-psycho-social, spiritual, and cultural functioning of people.
• Engage in practice from diversity-positive and culturally sensitive perspectives, particularly with those who differ from one’s own background or culture.
• Provide the community with professional social work services in a manner that reflects a commitment to the historic mission of social work and addresses issues of social justice.

(Adopted by the faculty July 15, 2016; updated April 30, 2019)

2015 Competencies and Behaviors – Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS)

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

Social workers:

• 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; and
• use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior.

Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

Social workers:

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

micro, mezzo, and macro levels;

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


Social workers:

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

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

Social workers:

• 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; and
• use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

Social workers:

• 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.

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

Social workers:

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

frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies; and

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

Social workers:

• 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; and
• 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

Social workers:

• 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; and
• facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals.

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

Social workers:

• 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; and
• apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.