Bachelor of Social Work: Program Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Form AS 4(B): A form required for Reaffirmation, Candidacy, and ongoing compliance per AS 4.0.3
This form is used to assist the COA 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 updates (minimally every 2 years) its findings.
All programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s 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 (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 up-date (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.
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
All students are assessed using a minimum of two measures on their mastery of nine competencies that comprise the Educational Policy and Accreditation standards of the council on Social Work Education and any additional competencies added by the College of Social Work. Two benchmarks are used by the Southern Utah University of Social Work (BSW) Program to measure student learning outcomes.
Assessment Measure #1: Field Practicum Assessment (FPA) |
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Dimension(s) assessed: |
Values, Knowledge, Skills and Cognitive and Affective Processes |
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When/where students are assessed: |
During field placement courses at the end of each semester, Fall, Spring and Summer. Completed online in IPT. Hard copy available upon request. |
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Who assessed student competence: |
Field Practicum Instructor |
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Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-9: |
75% of students receive a score of 4 or 5 indicating acceptable performance. |
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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: |
75% of students will demonstrate competence by meeting or exceeding the outcome measure benchmark. |
Assessment Measure #2: SWEAP, Foundation Curriculum Assessment Instrument (SWEAP/FCAI) |
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Dimension(s) assessed: |
Knowledge |
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When/where students are assessed: |
A pretest is administered within two weeks of students beginning the program. A post-test is administered within two weeks of students completing the program. The pre- and post-tests are administered to students via online links. |
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Who assessed student competence: |
BSW Program Administrative Personnel |
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Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-9: |
50% of students answer multiple choice competency-related questions correctly. |
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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: |
50% of students will demonstrate competence by meeting or exceeding the outcome measure benchmark. |
Competency Benchmarks
Last Completed August 1, 2025
Face to Face Program Option
(Completed 51% or more courses in person)
| Competency | Competency Benchmark 1: FPA | Competency Benchmark 2: SWEAP/FCAI | Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark | ||
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| Competency Benchmark 1: FPA (n=36) | Competency Benchmark 2: SWEAP/FCAI (n=36) | Competency Benchmark: Aggregate | |||
| Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior | 75% | 50% | 95% | 94% | 94.5% |
| Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice | 75% | 50% | 90% | 100% | 95% |
| Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEl) in Practice | 75% | 50% | 100% | 94% | 97% |
| Competency 4: Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice | 75% | 50% | 81% | 76% | 78.5% |
| Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice | 75% | 50% | 76% | 82% | 79% |
| Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 75% | 50% | 95% | 94% | 94.5% |
| Competency 7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 75% | 50% | 100% | 94% | 97% |
| Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 75% | 50% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 75% | 50% | 81% | 76% | 78.5% |
Online Program Option
(Completed 51% or more courses online)
| Competency | Competency Benchmark 1: FPA | Competency Benchmark 2: SWEAP/FCAI | Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark | ||
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| Competency Benchmark 1: FPA (n=36) | Competency Benchmark 2: SWEAP/FCAI (n=36) | Competency Benchmark: Aggregate | |||
| Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior | 75% | 50% | 95% | 94% | 94.5% |
| Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice | 75% | 50% | 90% | 100% | 95% |
| Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEl) in Practice | 75% | 50% | 100% | 94% | 97% |
| Competency 4: Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice | 75% | 50% | 81% | 76% | 78.5% |
| Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice | 75% | 50% | 76% | 82% | 79% |
| Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 75% | 50% | 95% | 94% | 94.5% |
| Competency 7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 75% | 50% | 100% | 94% | 97% |
| Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 75% | 50% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 75% | 50% | 81% | 76% | 78.5% |