Accreditation
The school of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno has two programs: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW). Both the baccalaureate and master's programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
In February 2014, the CSWE Commission on Accreditation re-affirmed accreditation of the BSW and MSW programs of the University of Nevada, Reno through February, 2022.
View the Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes below
Council on Social Work Education - Form AS 4(B) University of Nevada, Reno Baccalaureate 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
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 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.
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 measures included in the data presented.
| Dimension(s) assessed | Knowledge, Skills, Values, Cognitive/Affective Process |
|---|---|
| When/where students are assessed: | This instrument is administered at the completion of SW 481, Field Experience in Social Work ll. This is the 2nd of a 2-course field placement (SW 480 & SW 481), which requires students to complete a minimum of 225 hours each semester in a supervised field setting. |
| Who assessed student competence: | Field instructor and faculty liaison |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-9: | 6.5 on scale of 1 through 9 |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures for Competencies 1-9: | 80% |
| Dimension(s) assessed: | Knowledge |
|---|---|
| When/where students are assessed: | The assessment plan calls for students to complete the survey during the final class session of SW 481, which is held in a computer lab on campus. Surveys may be distributed via email as necessary |
| Who assessed student competence: | SWEAP and SSW faculty |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-9 | 50% of questions pertaining to each competency are answered correctly. |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-9: | 80% |
Directions for completing Form AS4
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.
| Competency | Competency Benchmark (%) | Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
|
Aggregate of Students from All Program Options (Only one program option: Campus/Hybrid) n=78 |
||
| Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior | 80% | 83.5% |
| Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice | 80% | 91.5% |
| Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice | 80% | 91% |
| Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice | 80% | 73.5% |
| Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice | 80% | 66.5% |
| Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 75.5% |
| Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 88% |
| Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 83.5% |
| Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 67% |
*updated September 2, 2020
Masters Social Work Assessment Outcomes
Council on Social Work Education - Form AS 4(M) University of Nevada Master's Social Work Program Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Form AS 4(M) A form 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 & 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.
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 measures included in the data presented.
| Dimension(s) assessed | Knowledge, Skills, Values, Cognitive/Affective Process |
|---|---|
| When/where students are assessed: | This instrument is administered at the completion of SW 681, Field Experience in Social Work ll. This is the 2nd of a 2-course field placement (SW 680 & SW 681), which requires students to complete a minimum of 225 hours each semester in a supervised field setting. |
| Who assessed student competence: | Field instructor and faculty liaison |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-9: | 6.5 on scale of 1 through 9 |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures for Competencies 1-9: | 80% |
| Dimension(s) assessed: | Knowledge |
|---|---|
| When/where students are assessed: | The assessment plan calls for students to complete the survey during the final class session of SW 681, which is held in a computer lab on campus. Surveys may be distributed via email as necessary |
| Who assessed student competence: | SWEAP and SSW faculty |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-9 | 50% of questions pertaining to each competency are answered correctly. |
| 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 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, that reflect the area of specialized practice. 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.
Area of Specialized Practice #1: Advanced Generalist Practice
| Dimension(s) assessed: | Knowledge, Skills, Values, Cognitive/Affective Process |
|---|---|
| When/where students are assessed: | The instrument is administered at the completion of SW 781, Field Experience in Social Work ll. This is the 2nd of a 2-course field placement (SW 780 & SW 781), which requires students to complete a minimum of 225 hours each semester in a supervised field setting. |
| Who assessed student competence: | Field Instructor and faculty liaison |
| Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-9: | 6.5 on a scale of 1 through 9 |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures for Competencies 1-9: | 80% |
| Dimension(s) assessed: | Knowledge |
|---|---|
| When/where students are assessed: | The assessment plan calls for students to complete the survey during the final class session of SW 781, which is held in a computer lab on campus. Surveys may also be distributed via email as necessary. |
| Who assessed student competence: | SWEAP and SSW faculty |
| Outcome measurement Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-9: | 50% of questions pertaining to each competency are answered correctly. |
| Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures for Competencies 1-9: | 80% |
Directions for completing Form AS4
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.
Assessment Data Collected during the Academic Year (2019-2020)
| Competency | Competency Benchmark (%) (Generalist Foundation) | Competency Benchmark (Area of Specialized Practice - AGP) | Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark | Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Generalist Practice (Foundation) n-18 |
Area of Specialized Practice #1 (Advanced Generalist Practice) n=36 |
|||
| Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior | 80% | 80% | 90% | 90% |
| Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice | 80% | 80% | 93% | 86% |
| Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice | 80% | 80% | 87% | 91% |
| Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice | 80% | 80% | 70% | 80% |
| Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice | 80% | 80% | 82% | 80% |
| Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 80% | 63% | 75% |
| Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 80% | 87% | 94% |
| Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 80% | 85% | 70% |
| Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 80% | 77% | 93% |
Assessment Data Collected during the Academic Year (2019-2020)
| Competency | Competency Benchmark (%) (Generalist Foundation) | Competency Benchmark (Area of Specialized Practice - AGP) | Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark | Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Generalist Practice (Foundation) n=9 |
Area of Specialized Practice #1 (Advanced Generalist Practice) n=7 |
|||
| Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior | 80% | 80% | 92% | 80% |
| Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice | 80% | 80% | 86% | 72% |
| Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice | 80% | 80% | 80% | 75% |
| Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice | 80% | 80% | 77% | 60% |
| Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice | 80% | 80% | 60% | 60% |
| Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 80% | 72% | 51% |
| Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 80% | 83% | 90% |
| Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 80% | 80% | 55% |
| Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 80% | 83% | 82% |
Overall Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Aggregate Findings for All Students from All Program Options Combined
| Competency | Competency Benchmark (%) (Generalist Foundation) | Competency Benchmark (Area of Specialized Practice - AGP) | Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark | Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Generalist Practice (Foundation) n=27 |
Area of Specialized Practice #1 (Advanced Generalist Practice) n=43 |
|||
| Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior | 80% | 80% | 90% | 86% |
| Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice | 80% | 80% | 90% | 82% |
| Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice | 80% | 80% | 84% | 85% |
| Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice | 80% | 80% | 72% | 75% |
| Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice | 80% | 80% | 74% | 75% |
| Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 80% | 66% | 70% |
| Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 80% | 86% | 93% |
| Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 80% | 83% | 67% |
| Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities | 80% | 80% | 80% | 89% |
*updated September 2, 2020