MSW Program Goals, Benchmarks, Core Competencies
MSW Mission
The mission of the Rutgers University School of Social Work MSW Program is to advance competent, ethical, evidence-based, and critically informed master's-level social work practice that facilitates the realization of human rights, promotes social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, commits to understanding human diversity and applying a person-and-environment perspective, and enhances the quality of life and well-being of individuals, families, and communities in local, national, and global contexts.
MSW Program Goals
- The MSW program will prepare master’s level practitioners for ethical, evidence-based and critically-informed social work practice that promotes social justice, engages diversity and difference, and strengthens individuals, families and communities in local, national and global contexts.
- The MSW program will design and deliver an innovative, rigorous competency-based social work curriculum rooted in a liberal arts tradition and person-in-environment framework that continuously incorporates state of the art social work knowledge, prepares practitioners to employ multiple evidence-informed prevention and intervention methods at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels, and responds to emergent social problems and community, professional and labor force needs.
- The MSW program will offer flexible program options that best serve a diverse student body and reflect and contribute to 21st century educational practices and advancements.
- The MSW program will establish partnerships with a broad variety of social service agencies to educate and train students though practicum learning work while respecting and contributing to the agency’s mission and function.
MSW Program-Level Learning Goals/CSWE Competencies
Through engagement with the program, students gain understanding in the dimensions of knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes, and behaviors as prescribed in the 2022 Council on Social Work (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). The MSW program has adopted the nine CSWE Social Work Competencies outlined in the EPAS as well as a new SSW specific competency 10 as MSW program-level learning goals. MSW students will learn to:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
- Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Develop Liberatory Consciousness
In addition, the School of Social Work adopted three new school-wide learning goals. Upon graduation, all students will be able to:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior;
- Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice;
- Engage, Assess, and Intervene With Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
MSW program mission and goals are aligned with the 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) set forth by the Council on Social Work and Education (CSWE). These competencies differ by the Generalist and Specialist (CSW and MAP) years and are available in the PDF's below:
- 2022 Generalist (BA in Social Work and MSW) Competencies
- 2022 Clinical Social Work (CSW) Competencies
- 2022 Management and Policy (MAP) Competencies
COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION - FORM AS 4(M)
RUTGERS MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 2022
Form AS M5.0.1(d) | Public Reporting of Assessment Outcomes
Generalist Practice | Summary of Outcomes
|
Competency |
Instrument |
Instrument: Expected Level of Achievement |
Competency: Expected Level of Achievement for Competency |
|
Competency 1: |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 2: |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 10: Liberatory Consciousness |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
Generalist Practice | Summary of Outcomes
Assessment Data Collected on: Fall 2024-Spring 2025
|
Competency |
Competency: |
Aggregate Actual Outcomes: All Program Options
|
Program Option 1 Outcomes: Camden
n = (104) |
Program Option 2 Outcomes: Newark
n = (157) |
Program Option 3 Outcomes: New Brunswick
n = (201) |
Program Option 4 Outcomes: Fully Online
n = (546) |
Program Option 5 Outcomes: Blended
n = (75) |
Program Option 6 Outcomes: Intensive Weekend
n = (95) |
|
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior |
82% |
99% |
98% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
100% |
|
Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice |
82% |
99% |
97% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
97% |
98% |
|
Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice |
82% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
998% |
97% |
100% |
|
Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice |
82% |
98% |
96% |
96% |
98% |
98% |
99% |
100% |
|
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice |
82% |
99% |
100% |
99% |
99% |
98% |
100% |
98% |
|
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
82% |
99% |
98% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
100% |
|
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
82% |
99% |
100% |
98% |
98% |
99% |
100% |
100% |
|
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
82% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
98% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
|
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
82% |
98% |
97% |
98% |
97% |
98% |
96% |
99% |
|
Competency 10: Liberatory Consciousness |
82% |
98% |
97% |
98% |
99% |
98% |
97% |
100% |
Specialized Practice | Summary of Plan
Area of Specialized Practice: Clinical Social Work
|
Competency |
Instrument |
Instrument: Expected Level of Achievement |
Competency: Expected Level of Achievement for Competency |
|
Competency 1: |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 2: |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 10: Liberatory Consciousness |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
Specialized Practice | Summary of Outcomes
Area of Specialized Practice: Clinical Social Work
Assessment Data Collected on: Fall 2024-Spring 2025
|
Competency |
Competency: |
Aggregate Actual Outcomes: All Program Options
|
Program Option 1 Outcomes: Camden
n = (76) |
Program Option 2 Outcomes: Newark
n = (192) |
Program Option 3 Outcomes: New Brunswick
n = (268) |
Program Option 4 Outcomes: Fully Online
n = (601) |
Program Option 5 Outcomes: Blended
n = (83) |
Program Option 6 Outcomes: Intensive Weekend
n = (156) |
|
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior |
82% |
99% |
98% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
100% |
98% |
|
Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice |
82% |
99% |
99% |
100% |
99% |
99% |
100% |
99% |
|
Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice |
82% |
99% |
98% |
100% |
99% |
99% |
98% |
99% |
|
Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice |
82% |
98% |
98% |
99% |
96% |
99% |
99% |
98% |
|
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice |
82% |
99% |
95% |
98% |
99% |
99% |
100% |
99% |
|
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and/or Communities |
82% |
99% |
98% |
100% |
100% |
99% |
100% |
99% |
|
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and/or Communities |
82% |
99% |
98% |
99% |
100% |
99% |
100% |
99% |
|
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and/or Communities |
82% |
99% |
98% |
99% |
100% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
|
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and/or Communities |
82% |
99% |
98% |
100% |
98% |
99% |
99% |
97% |
|
Competency 10: Liberatory Consciousness |
82% |
99% |
97% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
Specialized Practice | Summary of Plan
Area of Specialized Practice: Management and Policy
|
Competency |
Instrument |
Instrument: Expected Level of Achievement |
Competency: Expected Level of Achievement for Competency |
|
Competency 1: |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 2: |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
||
|
Competency 10: Liberatory Consciousness |
Instrument 1: Embedded curriculum assessment |
82% |
82% |
|
Instrument 2: Practicum Evaluation |
82% |
Specialized Practice | Summary of Outcomes
Area of Specialized Practice: Management and Policy
Assessment Data Collected on: Fall 2024-Spring 2025
|
Competency |
Competency: |
Aggregate Actual Outcomes: All Program Options
|
Program Option 1 Outcomes: Camden
n = (12) |
Program Option 2 Outcomes: Newark
n = (26) |
Program Option 3 Outcomes: New Brunswick
n = (43) |
Program Option 5 Outcomes: Blended
n = (7) |
Program Option 6 Outcomes: Intensive Weekend
n = (23) |
|
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior |
82% |
99% |
100% |
100% |
99% |
93% |
100% |
|
Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice |
82% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice |
82% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice |
82% |
99% |
100% |
100% |
99% |
100% |
100% |
|
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice |
82% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and/or Communities |
82% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and/or Communities |
82% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and/or Communities |
82% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and/or Communities |
82% |
99% |
100% |
100% |
99% |
100% |
100% |
|
Competency 10: Liberatory Consciousness |
82% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
Combined MSW Benchmarks 2015-16
Combined MSW Benchmarks 2016-17
Combined MSW Benchmarks 2017-18
Combined MSW Benchmarks 2018-19
Combined MSW Benchmarks 2019-20
Combined MSW Benchmarks 2020-21
Combined MSW Benchmarks 2021-22
Combined MSW Benchmarks 2022-23