Council on Social Work Education - Form AS 4(M)
Auburn University Master of Social Work Program
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Form AS 4(M) is required for reaffirmation, candidacy, and ongoing compliance per AS 4.0.3.
Submitting Form AS 4 for Reaffirmation Self-Study & Candidacy Benchmarks
This form is used to assist the Commission on Accreditation in the evaluation of the program’s compliance with the accreditation standard below:
4.0.3: The program uses Form AS 4(B) and/or Form AS 4(M) to report its most recent assessment outcomes for each program option to constituents and the public on its website and routinely up-dates (minimally every 2 years) its findings.
All programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation (COA) are required to measure and report student learning outcomes. All students are assessed using a minimum of two measures on their mastery of the nine competencies that comprise the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) and any additional competencies programs may choose to add. These holistic competencies reflect the dimensions (knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes) of social work practice that all social workers are expected to master during their professional training.
Programs determine a percentage-based benchmark for each competency and determine an outcome-measure benchmark (minimum score) for each measure. The competency benchmark (which can differ for each competency) represents the minimum percent of students the program expects to have achieved the outcome measure benchmarks in both/all measures for each of the nine competencies. The program then determines the percentage of students that attained each outcome measure (e.g., minimum score or higher), and aggregates the percentages for both/all measures together to obtain the percentage of students demonstrating competence inclusive of two (2) or more measures. The result of aggregating both/all outcome measure percentages provides the percentage of students achieving the competency benchmark. An aggregated percentage at or above the competency benchmark is considered achievement of that competency. If the program has more than one program option, the program must report data for each program option, and also an aggregate of all program options combined to determine an overall percentage of students across all program options achieving the competency benchmark.
Posting Form AS 4 for Ongoing Compliance with AS 4.0.3
Per the requirement of CSWE COA’s recognizing body, the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and accreditation standard 4.0.3, programs must post this form publicly on its website and routinely update (minimally every 2 years) its findings. Upon request, programs must provide CSWE with the weblink to the published form on the program’s website where it is accessible to the public. Data presented on the form must be collected within 2 years of today’s date at all times.
Summary of the Auburn University’s MSW Assessment Plan: Generalist Practice
All students are 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 AU MSW assessment model described here focuses on the explicit curriculum using quantitative measurement of student competency.
The following describes the AU MSW assessment plan for the generalist curriculum. The faculty developed and implemented a plan for assessing student competencies in two distinct ways:
- Real or simulated practice evaluation: Though measurable behaviors, during the generalist field experience.
- Student performance measures: Through purposeful measurement in achievement of identified questions on the Generalist Comprehensive Exam.
The assessment plan for the generalist curriculum involves three sets of stakeholders: the field instructors, the faculty, and the students. Although the students are considered stakeholders, their involvement in the assessment is through measurement by faculty and field instructors of student knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive/affective processes, not based on student self-assessment.
MSW Assessment Plan: Generalist Practice
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Assessment Measure #1 (Generalist Curriculum Comprehensive Exam) |
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Competency(ies) assessed: |
Generalist Competencies 1-9 |
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Dimension(s) assessed: |
knowledge, values, skills |
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When/where students are assessed: |
After completion of generalist curriculum |
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Who assessed student competence: |
MSW Program Director |
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Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-9: |
70% |
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Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
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Assessment Measure #2 (Final Generalist Field Evaluation) |
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Competency(ies) assessed: |
Generalist Competencies 1-9 |
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Dimension(s) assessed: |
knowledge, values, skills, cognitive/affective processes |
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When/where students are assessed: |
At the end of generalist field |
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Who assessed student competence: |
Field Instructors |
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Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-9: |
3 out of 5 |
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Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
Summary of the Auburn University’s MSW Assessment Plan: Specialized Practice (Clinical)
All students are 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 AU MSW assessment model described here focuses on the explicit curriculum using quantitative measurement of student competency.
The following describes the AU MSW assessment plan for the specialized curriculum. The faculty developed and implemented a plan for assessing student competencies in two distinct ways:
- Real or simulated practice evaluation: Though measurable behaviors, during the specialized practice field experience.
- Student performance measures: Through purposeful measurement in achievement of and successful completion of the course embedded, final Capstone Project (specialized curriculum). This project is delivered in SOWO 7950 Integrative Seminar.
The assessment plan for the specialized curriculum involves three sets of stakeholders; the field instructors, the faculty, and the students. Although the students are considered stakeholders, their involvement in the assessment is through measurement by faculty and field instructors of student knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive/affective processes, not based on student self-assessment.
MSW Assessment Plan: Specialized Practice
Area of Specialized Practice #1: (Clinical)
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Assessment Measure #1: (Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project) |
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Dimension(s) assessed: |
knowledge, values, skills, cognitive process |
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When/where students are assessed: |
At the end of the Specialized Curriculum |
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Who assessed student competence: |
MSW Field Director/MSW Program Director |
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Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-9: |
70% |
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Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
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Assessment Measure #2: (Final Advanced Field Evaluation) |
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Dimension(s) assessed: |
knowledge, values, skills, cognitive/affective process |
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When/where students are assessed: |
At the end of field placement |
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Who assessed student competence: |
Field Instructors |
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Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-9: |
3 out of 5 |
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Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Data Collected during Academic Year 2022-2023
Program Option #1: (Auburn University – On Campus)
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COMPETENCY |
COMPETENCY BENCHMARK (%) (GENERALIST) |
COMPETENCY BENCHMARK (AREA OF SPECIALIZED PRACTICE-CLINICAL) |
PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ACHIEVING BENCHMARK
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Generalist Practice
n = 9 |
Area of Specialized Practice - Clinical
n = 17 |
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Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Comprehensive Exam + Generalist Field Evaluation = 100% |
Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project + Advanced Field Evaluation = 100% |
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Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Comprehensive Exam + Generalist Field Evaluation = 100% |
Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project + Advanced Field Evaluation = 100% |
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Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Comprehensive Exam + Generalist Field Evaluation = 100% |
Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project + Advanced Field Evaluation = 100% |
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Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Comprehensive Exam + Generalist Field Evaluation = 100% |
Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project + Advanced Field Evaluation = 100% |
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Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Comprehensive Exam + Generalist Field Evaluation = 80% |
Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project + Advanced Field Evaluation = 99% |
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Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Comprehensive Exam + Generalist Field Evaluation = 95% |
Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project + Advanced Field Evaluation = 100% |
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Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Comprehensive Exam + Generalist Field Evaluation = 95% |
Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project + Advanced Field Evaluation = 100% |
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Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Comprehensive Exam + Generalist Field Evaluation = 89% |
Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project + Advanced Field Evaluation = 100% |
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Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Comprehensive Exam + Generalist Field Evaluation = 75% |
Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project + Advanced Field Evaluation = 100% |
OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
(Aggregate Findings for All Students from All Program Options Combined)
Assessment Data Collected during Academic Year 2022-2023
One program option – On Campus
|
COMPETENCY |
COMPETENCY BENCHMARK (%) (GENERALIST) |
COMPETENCY BENCHMARK (AREA OF SPECIALIZED PRACTICE-CLINICAL) |
PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ACHIEVING BENCHMARK
|
|
|
Generalist Practice |
Area of Specialized Practice #1 Clinical |
|||
|
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 100% |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 100% |
|
Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 100% |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 100% |
|
Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 100% |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 100% |
|
Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 100% |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 100% |
|
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 80% |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 99% |
|
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 95% |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 100% |
|
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 97% |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 100% |
|
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 89% |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 100% |
|
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Comprehensive Exam and (2) Generalist Field Evaluation |
80% of students will demonstrate competence inclusive of two measures: (1) Capstone Agency-Based Macro Project and (2) Advanced Field Evaluation |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 75% |
Aggregate percentage of students, inclusive of all program options, who demonstrated competence = 100% |