Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Social Work Program

The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program at Fordham University is designed to assess student learning outcomes in accordance with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards of the Council on Social Work Education. The program offers an online option, which was last completed on October 1, 2025.

Program Assessment Plan

The program's assessment plan is competency-based, with all students being assessed using a minimum of two measures on their mastery of the nine competencies that comprise the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards of the Council on Social Work Education. These competencies include:

• Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
• Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
• Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
• Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
• Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
• Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Generalist Practice

In the generalist practice, students are assessed using two measures:

• Assessment Measure #1: Common Assignment
  • Dimension(s) assessed: Knowledge, Skills, Values, C/A Processes
  • When/where students are assessed: Required courses in Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters
  • Who assessed the student competence: Course Instructor
  • Outcome Measure Benchmark: Exams 80% of 100%, Common assignments Competency rating of 3 (Competent) or above
  • Competency Benchmark: 80% of students are expected to achieve the minimum scores
• Assessment Measure #2: Field Evaluations
  • Dimension(s) assessed: Knowledge, Skills, Values, C/A Processes
  • When/where students are assessed: End of second semester of generalist year field-final evaluation at Field Placement
  • Who assessed student competence: Field Instructors
  • Outcome Measure Benchmark: Students must score at least a 3 (Competent) on each of the items measuring the competency

Specialized Practice

In the specialized practice, students are also assessed using two measures:

• Assessment Measure #1: Common Assignment
  • Dimension(s) assessed: Knowledge and Skills
  • When/where students are assessed: Required courses in Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters
  • Who assessed the student competence: Course Instructor
  • Outcome Measure Benchmark: 80% Exams 80% of 100%
  • Competency Benchmark: 80% of students are expected to achieve the minimum scores
• Assessment Measure #2: Field Evaluation
  • Dimension(s) assessed: Knowledge, Skills, Values, C/A Processes
  • When/where students are assessed: End of second semester of specialist year field-final evaluation at Field Placement
  • Who assessed student competence: Field Instructor
  • Outcome Measure Benchmark: Students must score at least a 3 (Competent) on each of the items measuring the competency

Assessment Data

The assessment data collected during the academic year shows the percentage of students achieving the benchmark for each competency in both generalist and specialized practices. The data includes:

• Competency 1: 98.72% (n = 178) for generalist practice, 98.36% (n = 77) for specialized practice
• Competency 2: 98.84% (n = 181) for generalist practice, 98.96% (n = 98) for specialized practice
• Competency 3: 97.30% (n = 180) for generalist practice, 93.64% (n = 101) for specialized practice
• Competency 4: 95.50% (n = 176) for generalist practice, 94.95% (n = 118) for specialized practice
• Competency 5: 95.13% (n = 175) for generalist practice, 95.31% (n = 101) for specialized practice
• Competency 6: 96.95% (n = 178) for generalist practice, 98.07% (n = 77) for specialized practice
• Competency 7: 96.42% (n = 203) for generalist practice, 98.21% (n = 162) for specialized practice
• Competency 8: 97.30% (n = 149) for generalist practice, 98.36% (n = 77) for specialized practice
• Competency 9: 91.07% (n = 175) for generalist practice, 97.01% (n = 119) for specialized practice

The program's assessment plan and data demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that students achieve the necessary competencies to succeed in the field of social work.