MSW program assessment
Assessment of student learning outcomes.
Michigan State University’s Master of Social Work program assesses student learning across program options and areas of practice. These reports document student achievement and the measures used to evaluate professional competence.
Oct. 1, 2025 Most recent assessment completion date
Competencies 1–9 Professional competencies assessed
90% Expected competency benchmark
Two measures Behaviors and overall competency
Assessment plan
How professional competence is measured.
Each area of practice uses a behaviors measure and an overall competency measure. Students are assessed at the end of every semester in field education by qualified Field Instructors and Faculty Field Liaisons.
BASW and MSW Generalist Practice
Assessment measure 1
Generalist Learning Evaluation Tool: Behaviors Measure
Dimensions assessed - Skill, knowledge, values, and cognitive and affective processes.
When and where - At the end of each semester in which a student participates in field education.
Who assesses competence -Qualified Field Instructors and Faculty Field Liaisons.
Outcome measure benchmark - A score of 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 indicates that the benchmark standard has been met for competencies 1–9.
Competency benchmark - The program expects 90% of students to achieve the minimum scores across competencies 1–9, inclusive of all measures.
Assessment measure 2
Generalist Learning Evaluation Tool: Overall Competency Measure
Dimension assessed - Overall skill.
When and where - At the end of each semester in which a student participates in field education.
Who assesses competence -Qualified Field Instructors and Faculty Field Liaisons.
Outcome measure benchmark - A score of 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 indicates that the standard has been met for competencies 1–9.
Competency benchmark - The program expects 90% of students to achieve the minimum scores across competencies 1–9, inclusive of all measures.
Clinical Practice
Assessment measure 1
Clinical Learning Evaluation Tool: Behaviors Measure
Dimensions assessed - Skill, knowledge, values, and cognitive and affective processes.
When and where - At the end of each semester in which a student participates in field education.
Who assesses competence -Qualified Field Instructors and Faculty Field Liaisons.
Outcome measure benchmark - A score of 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 indicates that the benchmark standard has been met for competencies 1–9.
Competency benchmark - The program expects 90% of students to achieve the minimum scores across competencies 1–9, inclusive of all measures.
Assessment measure 2
Clinical Learning Evaluation Tool: Overall Competency Measure
Dimension assessed - Overall skill.
When and whereAt the end of each semester in which a student participates in field education.
Who assesses competence- Qualified Field Instructors and Faculty Field Liaisons.
Outcome measure benchmark - A score of 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 indicates that the standard has been met for competencies 1–9.
Competency benchmark - The program expects 90% of students to achieve the minimum scores across competencies 1–9, inclusive of all measures.
Organizational and Community Leadership Practice
Assessment measure 1
Organizational and Community Leadership Learning Evaluation Tool: Behaviors Measure
Dimensions assessed - Skill, knowledge, values, and cognitive and affective processes.
When and where - At the end of each semester in which a student participates in field education.
Who assesses competence - Qualified Field Instructors and Faculty Field Liaisons.
Outcome measure benchmark - A score of 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 indicates that the benchmark standard has been met for competencies 1–9.
Competency benchmark - The program expects 90% of students to achieve the minimum scores across competencies 1–9, inclusive of all measures.
Assessment measure 2
Organizational and Community Leadership Learning Evaluation Tool: Overall Competency Measure
Dimension assessed - Overall skill.
When and whereAt the end of each semester in which a student participates in field education.
Who assesses competence -Qualified Field Instructors and Faculty Field Liaisons.
Outcome measure benchmark - A score of 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 indicates that the standard has been met for competencies 1–9.
Competency benchmark - The program expects 90% of students to achieve the minimum scores across competencies 1–9, inclusive of all measures.
