Generalist Year Competencies

The Generalist year competencies and behaviors have been reviewed and assigned to Generalist year courses and assignments by the faculty of the program based on the requirements for Generalist Practice in keeping with Educational Policy M2.1 and Program Goal 1 of CSWE’s 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards for Master’s in Social Work Programs. The MSW program updated its competencies in May 2024 based on the 2022 EPAS.

Generalist Competencies and Behaviors

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

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 micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Social workers understand frameworks of ethical decision-making and how to apply principles of critical thinking to those frameworks in 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. 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 social work practice.

Generalist Behaviors

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 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.

Generalist Behaviors

Social workers:

apply and communicate an 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 engaging clients and constituencies as experts in 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.

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

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.

Generalist Behaviors

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 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.

Generalist Behaviors

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 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 within their practice settings at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels and they actively engage in policy 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.

Generalist Behaviors

Social workers:

Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal levels that impact 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 understand that engagement is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, 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 clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand strategies to engage diverse clients and constituencies to advance 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.

Generalist Behaviors

Social workers:

apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies; and

use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies.

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

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 individuals, families, groups, 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 clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand methods of assessment with diverse clients and constituencies to advance practice 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.

Generalist Behaviors

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 understand that intervention is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers are knowledgeable about evidence-informed interventions to achieve the goals of clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 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 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.

Generalist Behaviors

Social workers:

critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance the 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 understand that evaluation is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers recognize the importance of evaluating processes and outcomes to advance 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.

Generalist Behaviors

Social workers:

select and use appropriate methods for the 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 level.

Specialization Year Competencies

Mission:

The mission of the Millersville University and Shippensburg University Collaborative MSW Program is to promote human and community well-being by providing an advanced generalist social work education that prepares students to be contemporary practitioners and advocates for individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations utilizing the person in environment perspective. We prepare students to be competent, globally responsive evidence-informed practitioners, committed to social, racial, economic, and environmental justice and human rights, which are rooted in the values of the social work profession.

Goals

The MU-SU program seeks to:

Prepare graduates for competent advanced generalist practice through the acquisition and demonstration of social work competencies and values consistent with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) educational policy and accreditation standards and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Provide graduates with the advanced generalist knowledge values and skills for social work practice across micro, mezzo and macro systems to assess, plan and facilitate change with attention to the profession's commitment to interprofessional collaboration.

Develop graduates’ commitment to continued evidence-informed professional development and prepare graduates to practice human rights-based social work that promotes social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.

Specialization Competencies

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

Social workers understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards, as well as relevant policies, laws, and regulations that may affect practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand that ethics are informed by principles of human rights and apply them toward realizing social, racial, economic, and environmental justice in their practice. Social workers understand frameworks of ethical decision making and apply principles of critical thinking to those frameworks in practice, research, and policy arenas. Social workers recognize and manage personal values and the distinction between personal and professional values. Social workers understand how their evolving worldview, personal experiences, and affective reactions influence their professional judgement and behavior. Social workers take measures to care for themselves professionally and personally, understanding that self-care is paramount for competent and ethical social work practice. Social workers use rights-based, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive lenses to understand and critique the professions history, mission, roles, and responsibilities, and recognize historical and current contexts of oppression in shaping institutions and social work. Social workers understand the roles of other professionals when engaged in interprofessional practice. Social workers recognize the importance of lifelong learning and are committed to continually updating their skills to ensure relevant and effective practice. Social workers understand digital technology and the ethical use of technology.

Behaviors:

Model professional demeanor in behavior and all modes of communication;

Use self-reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism while also continuously seeking to critique the social work profession from a critical race perspective;

Use technology ethically and appropriately;

Use supervision and consultation to guide practice decisions;

Demonstrate the ability to resolve ethical dilemmas by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models of ethical decision-making with special focus on demonstrating anti-racism and anti-oppressive practices

Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice

Social workers understand that every person regardless of position in society has fundamental human rights. Social workers are knowledgeable about the global intersecting and ongoing injustices throughout history that result in oppression and racism, including social work’s role and response. Social workers critically evaluate the distribution of power and privilege in society in order to promote social, racial, economic, and environmental justice by reducing inequities and ensuring dignity and respect for all. Social workers advocate for and engage in strategies to eliminate oppressive structural barriers to ensure that social resources, rights, and responsibilities are distributed equitably, and that civil, political, economic, social, and cultural human rights are protected.

Behaviors:

Demonstrate knowledge of historical and current global and societal injustices on individuals, families, groups, communities, and society;

Critically evaluate the distribution of power and privilege and their impacts on individuals, families, groups, communities, and society;

Advocate for practices that advance human rights and promote social, racial, economic, and environmental justice

Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice

Social workers understand how racism and oppression shape human experiences and how these two constructs influence practice at the individual, family, group, organizational, and community levels and in policy and research. Social workers understand the pervasive impact of White supremacy and privilege and use their knowledge, awareness, and skills to engage in anti-racist practice. Social workers understand how diversity and intersectionality shape human experiences and identity development and affect equity and inclusion. The dimensions of diversity are understood as the intersectionality of factors including but not limited to age, caste, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, generational status, immigration status, legal status, marital status, political ideology, race, nationality, religion and spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status. Social workers understand that this intersectionality means that a person’s life experiences may include oppression, poverty, marginalization, and alienation as well as privilege and power. Social workers understand the societal and historical roots of social and racial injustices and the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination. Social workers understand cultural humility and recognize the extent to which a culture’s structures and values, including social, economic, political, racial, technological, and cultural exclusions, may create privilege and power resulting in systemic oppression.

Behaviors:

Demonstrate an understanding of how systems of oppression and white supremacy impact all levels of social work practice;

Apply cultural humility and critical reflection in how diversity and intersectionality shape human experiences and identity;

Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion practices with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations

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

Social workers use ethical, culturally informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive approaches in conducting research and building knowledge. Social workers use research to inform their practice decision making and articulate how their practice experience informs research and evaluation decisions. Social workers critically evaluate and critique current, empirically sound research to inform decisions pertaining to practice, policy, and programs. Social workers understand the inherent bias in research and evaluate design, analysis, and interpretation using an anti-racist and anti-oppressive perspective. Social workers know how to access, critique, and synthesize the current literature to develop appropriate research questions and hypotheses. Social workers demonstrate knowledge and skills regarding qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis, and they interpret data derived from these methods. Social workers demonstrate knowledge about methods to assess reliability and validity in social work research. Social workers can articulate and share research findings in ways that are usable to a variety of clients and constituencies. Social workers understand the value of evidence derived from interprofessional and diverse research methods, approaches, and sources.

Behaviors:

Identify and access relevant scholarly research that are culturally informed, anti-racist and anti-oppressive to a variety of clients and constituencies;

Demonstrate knowledge and skills involved in quantitative and qualitative research methods that pertains to practice, policy, and programs;

Apply relevant research methods to advance the purpose of social work

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

Social workers identify social policy at the local, state, federal, and global level that affects wellbeing, human rights and justice, service delivery, and access to social services. Social workers recognize the historical, social, racial, cultural, economic, organizational, environmental, and global influences that affect social policy. Social workers understand and critique the history and current structures of social policies and services and the role of policy in service delivery through rights-based, anti-oppressive, and anti-racist lenses. Social workers influence policy formulation, analysis, implementation, and evaluation within their practice settings with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers actively engage in and advocate for anti-racist and anti-oppressive policy practice to effect change in those settings.

Behaviors:

Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the ways in which human rights, social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, and services are mediated by policy;

Evaluate, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance outcomes relevant to practice at all levels;

Demonstrate collaboration with clients, colleagues, and other constituencies for policy action

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

Social workers understand that engagement is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with and on behalf of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers value the importance of human relationships. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and person-in-environment and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge to facilitate engagement with clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers are self-reflective and understand how bias, power, and privilege as well as their personal values and personal experiences may affect their ability to engage effectively with diverse clients and constituencies. Social workers use the principles of interprofessional collaboration to facilitate engagement with clients, constituencies, and other professionals as appropriate.

Behaviors:

Use differential engagement skills for empathy, reflection, and use of self to engage effectively in culturally responsive practice with clients and constituencies in complex practice situations;

Model effective engagement practices that mitigate personal biases and professional values to build productive rapport with client systems

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

Social workers understand that assessment is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and person-in-environment, as well as interprofessional conceptual frameworks, and they critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in culturally responsive assessment with clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Assessment involves a collaborative process of defining presenting challenges and identifying with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to develop a mutually agreed-upon plan. Social workers recognize the implications of the larger practice context in the assessment process and use interprofessional collaboration in this process. Social workers are self-reflective and understand how bias, power, privilege, and their personal values and experiences may affect their assessment and decision making.

Behaviors:

Collect and critically synthesize multiple points of assessment information using a variety of tools rooted in human rights and anti-oppressive practices to create a comprehensive assessment;

Identify, evaluate, select, and potentially modify assessment tools, methods, and approaches in advanced practice with client and constituents from a lens of cultural humility

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

Social workers understand that intervention is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice. Social workers understand theories of human behavior, person-in-environment, and other interprofessional conceptual frameworks, and they critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in selecting culturally responsive interventions with clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand methods of identifying, analyzing, and implementing evidence-informed interventions and participate in interprofessional collaboration to achieve client and constituency goals. Social workers facilitate effective transitions and endings.

Behaviors:

Apply advanced intervention strategies in response to client systems’ unique circumstances and needs rooted in culturally responsive, evident-informed interventions;

Design and intervention strategy based upon assessment data at multiple system levels

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

Social workers understand that evaluation is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with and on behalf of diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers evaluate processes and outcomes to increase practice, policy, and service delivery effectiveness. Social workers apply anti-racist and anti-oppressive perspectives in evaluating outcomes. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and person-in-environment, as well as interprofessional conceptual frameworks, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in evaluating outcomes.

Social workers use qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluating outcomes and practice effectiveness.

Behaviors:

Identify appropriate culturally responsive evaluation methods to assess interventions and outcomes;

Use appropriate tools and technology in an ethical manner in the evaluation of the process and outcomes of interventions;

Use self-reflection, supervision, and research methods to regularly evaluate and, if necessary, modify practice

BSW Competencies

Generalist Competencies and Behaviors

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

Generalist Behaviors

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

Generalist Behaviors

Social workers:

apply and communicate an 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 engaging clients and constituencies as experts in 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.

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

Generalist Behaviors

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

Generalist Behaviors

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

Generalist Behaviors

Social workers:

Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal levels that impact 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

Generalist Behaviors

Social workers:

apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies; and

use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies.

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

Generalist Behaviors

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

Generalist Behaviors

Social workers:

critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance the 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

Generalist Behaviors

Social workers:

select and use appropriate methods for the 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 level.

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