The B.S.W. program at Penn State Greater Allegheny prepares students to enter the profession as competent, ethical, and culturally aware generalist practitioners. Our curriculum and field experiences are designed to develop the nine core competencies defined by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE, 2022), ensuring graduates are ready to make a meaningful impact in diverse communities.

B.S.W. Graduates Will Be Able To:

  1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
    Uphold ethical standards and professional conduct in all aspects of social work practice.

  2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
    Respect, value, and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

  3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
    Promote equity and advocate for policies that reduce disparities.

  4. Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
    Apply research to inform practice and use practice insights to guide research.

  5. Engage in Policy Practice
    Analyze and influence social policies that impact clients, organizations, and communities.

  6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
    Build effective relationships across all client systems.

  7. Assess Client Systems
    Conduct thorough assessments to understand needs, strengths, and contexts.

  8. Intervene Appropriately
    Implement evidence-based interventions to address client and community needs.

  9. Evaluate Practice Effectively
    Continuously assess the outcomes and effectiveness of interventions to improve services.