9 social work – core competencies

Review the nine CSWE core competencies listed below explain each and give an example of each:  

Program Learning Outcome (PLO) (CSWE Core Competencies):

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

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

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

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

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

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

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

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

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to:

1. Understand the profession’s history, its mission, and the roles and responsibility of the profession. (Competency 1)

2. Demonstrate knowledge of the definition of generalist practice and be able to discuss the competencies and practice behaviors of the profession (Competency 1)

3.Demonstrate knowledge and recognition of the purpose of social work code of ethics as well as relevant regulations, policies, and laws that may impact practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice. (Competency 1,5)

4. Recognize personal values and the distinction between personal and professional values. (Competency 1)

5. Understand the importance of life-long learning and update knowledge and skills to ensure they are relevant and effective. (Competency 1)

6. Demonstrate knowledge of the roles of the National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Black Social Workers, Baccalaureate Program Directors, and the Council on Social Work Education in maintaining and strengthening social work. (Competency 1).

7.  Understand the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences and working with clients. (Competency 2)

8.  Demonstrate knowledge of poverty conditions because of oppressive structural barriers, unwise laws, and the customs of society. (Competency 3)

9.  Demonstrate an ability to apply critical thinking, problem solving, and effective oral and written communication, and the use of technology to facilitate social work practice. (Competency 1, 4)

10. Demonstrate varied strategies necessary to engage social work practice with clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. (Competency 6)

11. Acquire knowledge as to how personal experiences may affect one’s ability in decision-making and impact assessment of clients at all levels of social work practice. (Competency 7)

12. Demonstrate knowledge of evidence-informed interventions to achieve goals of helping individual, families, groups, organizations, and communities. (Competency 8)

13. Acquire knowledge of appropriate methods for evaluating outcomes in social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. (Competency 9)