Social Work

The BSW Program at West Chester University defines generalist practice as practice that is grounded in a liberal arts foundation upon which a generic and integrated social work knowledge base is developed, and informed by social work values. From this grounding, generalist practitioners utilize a professional problem solving process to engage, assess, broker services, advocate, counsel, educate, and organize with and on behalf of clients and client systems. Generalist practitioners work with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations in a variety of social work and host settings. They view clients and client systems from a strengths perspective in order to recognize, support, and build upon the uniqueness of all groups of people as well as the innate capabilities of all human beings. Finally, generalist practitioners evaluate service outcomes in order to continually improve the provision and quality of services most appropriate to client needs. Generalist social work practice is guided by the NASW Code of Ethics and is committed to improving the well-being of individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations and furthering the goals of human rights and social justice in a global society.

[Informed by the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Director's definition of Generalist Practice as cited in Mizrahi, T.M. & Davis, L.E. (2008). The Encyclopedia of Social Work (20th ed.). Washington, DC: NASW Press; New York: Oxford University Press.]

Objectives for the Undergraduate Social Work Program are linked to core practice competencies as set forth in the Council on Social Work Education’s 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). The social work curriculum prepares its graduates for generalist practice through mastery of these nine core competencies (listed below). For further information, please refer to the Undergraduate Social Work Department’s Student Handbook. It is our goal that by completion of the program, students will be prepared to:

• Engage in evidence-based entry-level social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations within a multicultural society (Competencies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).
• Practice according to the principles, values, and ethics that guide the social work profession with an emphasis on anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion (Competency 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).
• Influence social policies with the goal of alleviating social, economic, and environmental injustice as well as advocating for human rights and sustainability from local, regional, and global perspectives (Competencies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
• Identify and affect the bio-psycho-social, spiritual, and cultural functioning of people (Competencies 6, 7, 8, 9).
• Evidence practice from a perspective of cultural humility that recognizes, appreciates, and applies the knowledge of diverse cultures, particularly those that differ from one’s own (Competency 2, 4).

• Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
• Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
• Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
• Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
• Engage in Policy Practice
• Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
• Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
• Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities

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