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 September 13, 2024.

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. The program may also add or delete rows to accurately reflect the number of measures included in the data presented.

Generalist Practice

• Assessment Measure #1: Common Assignment
  • Dimensions assessed: Knowledge, Skills, Values, C/A Processes
  • When/where students are assessed: Required courses, 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 expected to achieve the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures
• Assessment Measure #2: Field Evaluations
  • Dimensions 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

• Assessment Measure #1: Common Assignment
  • Dimensions assessed: Knowledge and Skills
  • When/where students are assessed: Required courses, 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 expected to achieve the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures
• Assessment Measure #2: Field Evaluation
  • Dimensions 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 following data was collected during the academic year:

• Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
  • Competency Benchmark (Generalist): 80%
  • Competency Benchmark (Area of Specialized Practice): 80%
  • Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark: 98.83% (n = 194) for Generalist Practice, 99.23% (n = 291) for Specialist Competency
• Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
  • Competency Benchmark (Generalist): 80%
  • Competency Benchmark (Area of Specialized Practice): 80%
  • Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark: 98.36% (n = 191) for Generalist Practice, 99.07% (n = 295) for Specialist Competency
• Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
  • Competency Benchmark (Generalist): 80%
  • Competency Benchmark (Area of Specialized Practice): 80%
  • Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark: 95.28% (n = 190) for Generalist Practice, 97.66% (n = 296) for Specialist Competency
• Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
  • Competency Benchmark (Generalist): 80%
  • Competency Benchmark (Area of Specialized Practice): 80%
  • Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark: 95.99% (n = 193) for Generalist Practice, 97.86% (n = 320) for Specialist Competency
• Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
  • Competency Benchmark (Generalist): 80%
  • Competency Benchmark (Area of Specialized Practice): 80%
  • Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark: 93.11% (n = 192) for Generalist Practice, 96.72% (n = 296) for Specialist Competency
• Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency Benchmark (Generalist): 80%
  • Competency Benchmark (Area of Specialized Practice): 80%
  • Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark: 98.83% (n = 197) for Generalist Practice, 98.96% (n = 288) for Specialist Competency
• Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency Benchmark (Generalist): 80%
  • Competency Benchmark (Area of Specialized Practice): 80%
  • Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark: 93.35% (n = 191) for Generalist Practice, 98.11% (n = 382) for Specialist Competency
• Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency Benchmark (Generalist): 80%
  • Competency Benchmark (Area of Specialized Practice): 80%
  • Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark: 95.74% (n = 204) for Generalist Practice, 98.07% (n = 289) for Specialist Competency
• Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency Benchmark (Generalist): 80%
  • Competency Benchmark (Area of Specialized Practice): 80%
  • Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark: 91.43% (n = 192) for Generalist Practice, 98.35% (n = 327) for Specialist Competency