Master of Social Work Careers & Outcomes

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior in a Multicultural Clinical Mental Health Care Setting
Social workers in a clinical mental health care setting use the established NASW Code of Ethics as a basis for ethical standards and professional behavior. Social workers understand frameworks of ethical decision-making and how to apply principles of critical thinking to those frameworks in clinical mental health practice, research, and policy arenas. Social workers recognize personal values and the distinction between personal and professional values. They also understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions influence their professional judgment and behavior in a clinical mental health care setting. Social Workers also understand the role of other professions when engaged in inter-professional teams. Social workers recognize the importance of life-long learning and are committed to continually updating their clinical skills to ensure they are relevant and effective. Social workers also understand emerging forms of technology and the ethical use of technology in clinical social work practice.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Demonstrate appropriate professional boundaries with clients and colleagues;
• Use clinical supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics and relevant laws and regulations in a clinical mental health care setting.

Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in a Multicultural Clinical Mental Health Care Setting
Social workers understand that appreciation of diverse cultural identities is paramount in working with client systems to develop effective clinical intervention strategies. The dimensions of diversity are understood as the intersectionality of multiple factors including but not limited to age, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration status, marital status, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status. Social workers understand that, as a consequence of difference, a person’s life experiences may include oppression, poverty, marginalization, and alienation as well as privilege, power, and acclaim. Social workers also understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and recognize the extent to which a culture’s structures and values, including social, economic, political, and cultural exclusions, may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create privilege and power.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients in their clinical mental health care setting.

Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice in a Multicultural Clinical Mental Health Care Setting
Social workers understand that every person regardless of position in society has fundamental human rights such as freedom, safety, privacy, an adequate standard of living, health care, mental health care, and education. Social workers understand the global interconnections of oppression and human rights violations, and are knowledgeable about theories of human need and social justice and strategies to promote social and economic justice and human rights. Social workers understand strategies designed to eliminate oppressive structural barriers to ensure equitably access to mental health care services. Social workers in a clinical mental health care setting work to ensure that civil, political, environmental, economic, social, and cultural human rights of client systems are protected.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels within their specialized clinical mental health care setting;
• Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice within their specialized clinical mental health care setting.

Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Multicultural Clinical Practice
Social workers are committed to using evidence-based assessment, intervention, and evaluation techniques in a clinical mental health care setting. Social workers understand quantitative and qualitative research methods and their respective roles in advancing a science of clinical social work and in evaluating their clinical practice. Social workers know the principles of logic, scientific inquiry, and culturally informed and ethical approaches to building knowledge. Social workers understand that evidence that informs practice derives from multi-disciplinary sources and multiple ways of knowing. They also understand the processes for translating research findings into effective evidence-based clinical practice.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Use evidence-based research to inform and improve clinical practice, policy, and service delivery in a specialized clinical mental health care setting.

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice in a Multicultural Clinical Mental Health Care Setting
Social workers understand that mental health care access and interventions are influenced and governed by social policy. Social workers understand the history and current structures of social policies that effect mental health care. Social workers understand their role in policy development and implementation within their clinical practice settings. Social workers recognize and understand the historical, social, cultural, economic, organizational, environmental, and global influences that affect mental health care policy. They are also knowledgeable about policy formulation, analysis, implementation, and evaluation.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to clinical mental health services;
• Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to clinical mental health services.

Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, and or Groups in a Specialized Multicultural Clinical Mental Health Care Setting
Social workers understand that engaging and establishing a professional human relationship with clients is essential to effective clinical practice. Social workers value the importance of human relationships. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge to facilitate engagement with clients in a clinical mental health care setting. Social workers understand strategies to engage diverse clients and constituencies to advance clinical mental health practice effectiveness. Social workers understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions may impact their ability to effectively engage with diverse clients and constituencies. Social workers value principles of relationship-building and inter-professional collaboration to facilitate engagement with clients, constituencies, and other professionals as appropriate.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies in a clinical mental health care setting.

Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, and/or Groups in a Specialized Multicultural Clinical Mental Health Care Setting
Social workers understand that assessment is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of clinical social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, and groups. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in the assessment of diverse clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, and groups. Social workers understand methods of clinical assessment with diverse clients and constituencies to advance practice effectiveness. Social workers recognize the implications of the larger practice context in the clinical assessment process and value the importance of inter-professional collaboration in this process. Social workers understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions may affect their clinical assessment and decision-making.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other contemporary clinical multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies in a clinical mental health care; and
• select appropriate clinical intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies in a clinical mental health care setting.

Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, and/or Groups in a Specialized Multicultural Clinical Mental Health Care Setting
Social workers understand that intervention is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of clinical social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, and groups. Social workers are knowledgeable about clinical evidence-informed interventions and treatment modalities to achieve the goals of clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, and groups. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge to effectively intervene with clients and constituencies. Social workers understand methods of identifying, analyzing and implementing evidence-informed clinical interventions to achieve client and constituency goals. Social workers value the importance of inter-professional teamwork and communication in interventions, recognizing that beneficial outcomes may require interdisciplinary, inter-professional, and inter-organizational collaboration.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Critically choose and implement clinical interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks and treatment modalities in interventions with clients and constituencies in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies in a clinical mental health care setting; and
• Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals in a clinical mental health care setting.

Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, and/or Groups in a Specialized Multicultural Clinical Mental Health Care Setting
Social workers understand that evaluation is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of clinical social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, and groups. Social workers recognize the importance of evaluating processes and outcomes to advance clinical practice, policy, and service delivery effectiveness. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in evaluating outcomes. Social workers understand qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluating outcomes and practice effectiveness in a clinical mental health setting.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes in a clinical mental health care setting;
• Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes in a clinical mental health care setting; and
• Apply evaluation findings to improve clinical mental health care practice effectiveness at the micro and mezzo levels.

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior in a Macro Social Change and/or Leadership Setting
Social workers understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards, as well as relevant laws and regulations that may impact practice at the macro level and in human service administration. Social workers understand frameworks of ethical decision-making and how to apply principles of critical thinking to those frameworks in practice, research, policy, and leadership arenas. Social workers recognize personal values and the distinction between personal and professional values. They also understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions influence their professional judgment and behavior. Social workers understand the profession’s history, its mission, and the roles and responsibilities of the profession. Social Workers also understand the role of other professions when engaged in inter-professional teams. Social workers recognize the importance of life-long learning and are committed to continually updating their skills to ensure they are relevant and effective. Social workers also understand emerging forms of technology and the ethical use of technology in macro social work practice and human service leadership.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in macro/leadership practice situations;
• Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication in a specialized macro/leadership setting;
• Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics in a specialized macro/leadership setting.

Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Macro Social Change and/or Leadership Practice
Social workers understand how diversity and difference characterize and shape the human experience and are critical to the formation of identity. The dimensions of diversity are understood as the intersectionality of multiple factors including but not limited to age, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration status, marital status, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status. Social workers understand that, as a consequence of difference, a person’s life experiences may include oppression, poverty, marginalization, and alienation as well as privilege, power, and acclaim. Social workers also understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and recognize the extent to which a culture’s structures and values, including social, economic, political, and cultural exclusions, may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create privilege and power.

Students in the Social Change & Leadership specialization further understand Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in their macro/leadership field practice;
• Present themselves as learners and engage macro client systems 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 client systems in their social change and/or leadership field practice setting.

Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice in a Macro Social Change or Leadership Setting
Social workers understand that every person regardless of position in society has fundamental human rights such as freedom, safety, privacy, an adequate standard of living, health care, and education. Social workers understand the global interconnections of oppression and human rights violations, and are knowledgeable about theories of human need and social justice and strategies to promote social and economic justice and human rights. Social workers understand strategies designed to eliminate oppressive structural barriers to ensure that social goods, rights, and responsibilities are distributed equitably and that civil, political, environmental, economic, social, and cultural human rights are protected.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the advanced macro system level; and
• Engage in advanced macro practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice.

Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice in a Macro Social Change or Leadership Setting
Social workers understand quantitative and qualitative research methods and their respective roles in advancing a science of social work and in evaluating their practice. Social workers know the principles of logic, scientific inquiry, and culturally informed and ethical approaches to building knowledge. Social workers understand that evidence that informs practice derives from multi-disciplinary sources and multiple ways of knowing. They also understand the processes for translating research findings into effective practice.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative macro & organizational research methods and research findings; and
• Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery for communities and organizations.

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice in a Macro Social Change or Leadership Setting
Social workers understand that human rights and social justice, as well as social welfare and services, are mediated by policy and its implementation at the federal, state, and local levels. Social workers understand the history and current structures of social policies and services, the role of policy in service delivery, and the role of practice in policy development. Social workers understand their role in policy development and implementation as organizational or community leaders and they actively engage in policy development and practice to effect change within those settings. Social workers recognize and understand the historical, social, cultural, economic, organizational, environmental, and global influences that affect social policy. They are also knowledgeable about policy formulation, analysis, implementation, and evaluation.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Describe how political and legislative processes influence social welfare policy and program development;
• Apply critical thinking to analyze, initiate, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance the organizational mission of a human service agency or community initiative.

Competency 6: Engage with Organizations and/or Communities in a Specialized Social Change or Leadership setting
Social workers understand that engagement is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse organizations and communities. Social workers value the importance of human relationships. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge to facilitate engagement with human service organizations and diverse communities. Social workers understand strategies to engage diverse clients and constituencies to advance macro practice effectiveness. Social workers understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions may impact their ability to effectively engage with diverse clients and constituencies. Social workers value principles of relationship-building and inter-professional collaboration to facilitate engagement with other professionals, human service organizations, and communities.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with diverse communities and human service organizations; and
• Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse communities and human service organizations.

Competency 7: Assess Organizations and/or Communities in a Specialized Social Change or Leadership setting
Social workers understand that assessment is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse organizations and communities. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in the assessment of diverse organizations and communities. Social workers understand methods of organizational or community assessment to advance mission effectiveness. Social workers recognize the implications of the larger practice context in the assessment process and value the importance of inter-professional collaboration in this process. Social workers understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions may affect their assessment and decision-making.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from diverse communities and/or human service agencies;
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and organizational/community theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from diverse communities and human service organizations.

Competency 8: Intervene with Organizations and or Communities in a Specialized Social Change or Leadership setting
Social workers understand that intervention is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse organizations and communities. Social workers are knowledgeable about evidence-informed interventions to advance the mission of human service organizations and/or community initiatives. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and macro level interventions to critically evaluate and apply this knowledge to effectively intervene with communities and organizations. Social workers understand methods of identifying, analyzing and implementing evidence-informed interventions to advance the organizational mission. Social workers value the importance of inter- professional teamwork and communication in interventions, recognizing that beneficial outcomes may require interdisciplinary, inter- professional, and inter-organizational collaboration.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Critically choose and implement human service agency and/or community initiative interventions to advance the organizational mission;
• Use inter-professional collaboration to advance organizational and/or community initiative missions.

Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Organizations and/or Communities in a Specialized Social Change or Leadership setting
Social workers understand that evaluation is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with human service organizations and communities. Social workers recognize the importance of evaluating processes and outcomes to advance mission effectiveness. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment and macro interventions, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in evaluating outcomes. Social workers understand qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluating outcomes and practice effectiveness.

Specialized Behaviors: Students in their field placement will demonstrate the following practice behaviors in a real setting and assessed by their Field Instructor.

• Select and use appropriate methods for human service organization and/or community intervention program evaluation;
• Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate community intervention and human service organization program processes and outcomes; and
• Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the macro level.