Core Competencies

Foundation Courses Kansas State University Social Work Program – 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) Social Work Practice, Education, and Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards

Competency 1 - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

  • 1a make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to content
  • 1b use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations
  • 1c use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes
  • 1d use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior

Competency 2 – Engage in Diversity and Difference in Practice

  • 2a apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice
  • 2b present themselves as learners and engage client systems as experts of their own experiences
  • 2c apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse client systems

Competency 3 –Advance Human Rights and Social and Economic Justice

  • 3a apply their understanding of social and economic justice to advocate for human rights
  • 3b engage in practices that advance social and economic justice

Competency 4 –Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice

  • 4a use practice experience to inform scientific inquiry and research
  • 4b engage in critical analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings
  • 4c use and translate research findings to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery

Competency 5 –Engage in Policy Practice

  • 5a assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services
  • 5b critically analyze and promote policies that advance human rights and social and economic justice

Competency 6 –Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

  • 6a apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment and practice context to engage with client systems
  • 6b use empathy, self-regulation, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse client systems

Competency 7 –Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organization, and Communities

  • 7a collect, organize, and critically analyze and interpret information from client systems
  • 7b apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the assessment of data from client systems
  • 7c development mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, challenges within client systems
  • 7d select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of client systems

Competency 8 –Intervene with individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

  • 8a implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of client system
  • 8b apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with client systems
  • 8c use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes
  • 8d negotiate, mediate, and advocate on behalf of client systems
  • 8e facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals

Competency 9 – Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

  • 9a select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes
  • 9b critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention processes and outcomes
  • 9c apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness