May 12, 2024  
2021-22 NSU Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-22 NSU Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Social Work Program Outcomes


After completing the Counseling, M.S. program, students will demonstrate competency in the following performance areas.

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

  • 1.1 Student will 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;
  • 1.2 Student will use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations
  • 1.3 Student will demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication
  • 1.4 Student will use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes
  • 1.5 Student will use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior

Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

  • 2.1 Student will apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels;
  • 2.2 Student will present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences
  • 2.3 Student will 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

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

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

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

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

  • 5.1 Student will identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services
  • 5.2 Student will assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services
  • 5.3 Student will 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

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

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

  • 7.1 Student will collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies
  • 7.2 Student will 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
  • 7.3 Student will develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies
  • 7.4 Student will 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

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

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

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