Accreditation & Assessment
Accreditation
The Master of Social Work program at Chicago State University has been fully accredited
by the since 2001. Our current accreditation is valid through 2031. The MSW program
works to maintain its essential standing among institutions of higher education, given
the commitment of our program and the social work profession to competency-based education.
The knowledge, skills and values that students acquire during their graduate education
prepares them to enter the workforce to serve children, families and communities from
a family-centered, trauma-informed, strengths-based perspective.
Learn more about our accreditation status here.
According to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), CSWE-accredited social work programs ensure the program mission is aligned with social
work competencies to prepare students for professional practice, and are committed
to ongoing program assessment and renewal based on data-informed decision-making.
Beyond review for reaffirmation of accreditation every eight years, CSWE-accredited
programs engage in continuous quality improvement, ensuring that students are prepared
to practice safely, competently, and ethically with all clients, constituents, and
the public.”
Assessment
COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION - FORM AS 4(M)
CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Submitting Form AS 4 for Reaffirmation Self-Study & Candidacy Benchmarks
Form AS 4(M) A form required for Reaffirmation, Candidacy, and ongoing compliance per AS 4.0.3.
This form is used to assist the Commission on Accreditation in the evaluation of the
program’s compliance with the accreditation standard below:
|
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 updates (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 & 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,
that 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 determines the percentage of students
that attained each outcome measure, with a minimum passing score or better, and aggregates
the percentages for both/all measures together to obtain the percentage of student's
competency 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 its findings at least every two years.
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 the published date at all times. |
Summary of the Program’s 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 and any additional competencies programs may
choose to add. Summarize the program’s competency-based assessment plan. Programs
may add/delete rows to accurately reflect the number of areas of specialized practice
and each measure included in the data presented.
Assessment Measures
| #1: Foundation/Generalist Field Semester Evaluation |
| Competency(ies) assessed: |
Comp 1-10 |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge ,Values Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
End of 1st and 2nd Semester, Field Practicum Site |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Field Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
“Expected Understanding and Minimally Effective Application” |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
|
| #2: Integrative Assignment |
| Competency(ies) assessed: |
Comp 1 and 6 |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge ,Values Skills Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Fall/Course embedded assignment in SWK 5430 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
|
| #3: Personal Work Plan for Culturally Competent Practice |
| Competency(ies) assessed: |
Comp 2 |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Values, Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Fall/Course embedded assignment in SWK 5416 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
|
| #4: Community Analysis and Change Effort |
| Competency(ies) assessed: |
Comp 3 |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Skills, Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Spring/Course embedded assignment in SWK 5431 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
|
| #5: Social Work Research Proposal |
| Competency(ies) assessed: |
Comp 4 |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge, Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Spring/Course embedded assignment in SWK 5440 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
|
| #6: Policy Analysis Paper |
| Competency(ies) assessed: |
Comp 5 |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Values, Skills Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Fall/Course embedded assignment in SWK 5410 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
|
| Competency(ies) assessed: |
Comp 7 |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge, Skills Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Spring/Course embedded assignment in SWK 5421 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
|
| #8: Developing Intervention Strategies |
| Competency(ies) assessed: |
Comp 8 and 10 |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge, Values, Skills |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Spring/Course embedded assignment in SWK 5432 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| 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 Program’s Assessment Plan | Specialized Practice
Students are assessed using a minimum of two measures of mastery regarding the nine
competencies that comprise the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards of the
Council on Social Work Education. Additional competencies by program may be added
for an area of specialized practice. Listings include a summarization of the program’s
competency-based assessment plan. Programs may add/delete rows to accurately reflect
the number of areas of specialized practice and each measure included in the data
presented.
Area of Specialized Practice
Assessment Measure#1
Advance Field Semester Evaluation |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge ,Values Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
End of 1st and 2nd Semester, Field Practicum Site |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Field Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
“Expected Understanding and Application” |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
Assessment Measure #2
Capstone Paper |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge, Values Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Spring/ embedded assignment in SWK 5490 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
Assessment Measure #3
Applied Research Project |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge,
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Fall/embedded assignment in SWK 5441 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
Assessment Measure #4
Policy Analysis Paper |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Values, Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Summer/embedded assignment in SWK 5411 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
Assessment Measure #5
Searching for knowledge to guide practice with troubled families |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge, Values, Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Spring/embedded assignment in SWK 5434 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
|
| #2: Program Planning and Administration |
Assessment Measure #1
Advance Field Semester Evaluation |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge ,Values Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
End of 1st and 2nd Semester, Field Practicum Site |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Field Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
“Expected Understanding and Application” |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
Assessment Measure #2
Capstone Paper |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge ,Values Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Spring/ embedded assignment in SWK 5490 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
Assessment Measure #3
Applied Research Project |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge,
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Fall/embedded assignment in SWK 5441 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
Assessment Measure #4
Policy Analysis Paper |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Values, Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Summer/embedded assignment in SWK 5411 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
| Assessment Measure #5
Design Intervention Strategy
|
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge, Values, Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Spring/embedded assignment in SWK 5451 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
|
Assessment Measure #1
Advance Field Semester Evaluation |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge ,Values Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
End of 1st and 2nd Semester, Field Practicum Site |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Field Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
“Expected Understanding and Application” |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
Assessment Measure #2
Capstone Paper |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge ,Values Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Spring/ embedded assignment in SWK 5490 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
Assessment Measure #3
Applied Research Project |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge,Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Fall/embedded assignment in SWK 5441 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
Assessment Measure #4
Policy Analysis Paper |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Values, Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Summer/embedded assignment in SWK 5411 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
Assessment Measure #5
Contextual Assessment, Intervention, Planning and Evaluation Strategy |
| Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge, Values, Skills
Cognitive/ Affective Processes |
| When/where students are assessed: |
Fall/embedded assignment in SWK 5471 |
| Who assessed student competence: |
Instructor |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies
1-9: |
80% |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the
minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: |
80% |
|
Instructions to Complete Form AS 4
Indicate the benchmark percentage for each competency. The competency benchmark is
the percent of students the program expects to have achieved both/all outcome measure
benchmarks. Programs calculate the percentage of students achieving each outcome
measure benchmark, then calculate the percentage of students achieving each competency
inclusive of two or more measures for each program option. Programs with multiple
program options must present data for each program option, and in aggregate inclusive
of all program options per competency. Programs may add/delete columns and to accurately
reflect the number of program options offered. This is a required form. The assessment
data table may be altered to accurately reflect the number of program options offered
and additional program-developed competencies. However, beyond these formatting alternations,
the program may not alter the content of this form.
Overall Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Academic Year (2025-2026)
| Competency |
Competency Benchmark (%)
Generalist |
Competency Benchmark
(Area of Specialized Practice) |
Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark |
| |
|
|
Generalist Practice
N = 18 |
Area of Specialized Practice #1 Direct Practice
N = 7
|
Area of Specialized Practice #2 Program Planning & Adm N = 2 |
Area of Specialized Practice #3 School Social Work
N = 2 |
| 1. Demonstrate Ethical & Professional Behavior |
80% |
80% |
89% |
89% |
92% |
90% |
| 2. Engage Diversity & Difference in Practice |
80% |
80% |
94% |
93% |
97% |
95% |
| 3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, & Environmental Justice |
80% |
80% |
93% |
91% |
97% |
90% |
| 4. Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice |
80% |
80% |
84% |
74% |
93% |
85% |
| 5. Engage in Policy Practice |
80% |
80% |
88% |
78% |
87% |
85% |
| 6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
80% |
80% |
89% |
85% |
97% |
95% |
| 7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations,and Communities |
80% |
80% |
82% |
85% |
93% |
92% |
| 8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
80% |
80% |
92% |
88% |
92% |
93% |
| 9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities |
80% |
80% |
88% |
85% |
95% |
93% |
| 10. Strengths-based, Trauma-Informed, Family-Centered, Urban Context |
80% |
80% |
95% |
96% |
93% |
93% |
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