Foundational Competencies for BSW Students

According to the 2015 Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, BSW students must demonstrate nine foundational competencies to enter the profession as entry-level generalist social work practitioners. These competencies align with the goals and mission of the BSW program and the broader mission of Penn State.

BSW coursework and field education experiences are designed to develop each core competency and professional practice behavior. The nine core competencies embedded in the BSW curriculum are:

  1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior: Uphold ethical standards and professional conduct in social work practice.
  2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice: Respect and engage with diverse populations and understand the impact of diversity in practice.
  3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice: Promote and advocate for human rights and justice in all forms.
  4. Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice: Utilize research to inform practice and apply practice insights to research.
  5. Engage in Policy Practice: Understand and influence social policies affecting practice and clients.
  6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities: Effectively work with various client systems.
  7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities: Conduct thorough assessments to understand client needs and contexts.
  8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities: Implement appropriate interventions to address client needs.
  9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities: Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of practice and interventions.

(CSWE, 2021)