Examination Content Outlines

Bachelors Examination (formerly called the Basic Exam)
Content Outline

I. Human Development & Behavior in the Environment--14%

A. Theoretical approaches to understanding individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations
B. Human growth & development
C. Human behavior in the social environment
D. Impact of crises and changes
E. Addictive behaviors
F. Dynamics of abuse & neglect

II. Issues of Diversity--7%

III. Assessment in Social Work Practice--20%

A. Social history & collateral data
B. Use of assessment instruments
C. Problem identification
D. Effects of the environment on client system behavior
E. Assessment of client system's strengths & weaknesses
F. Assessment of mental and behavioral disorders
G. Indicators of abuse & neglect
H. Indicators of danger to self & others
I. Indicators of crisis

IV. Direct and Indirect Practice--21%

A. Models of practice
B. Intervention techniques
C. Components of the intervention process
D. Matching intervention with client system needs
E. Professional use of self
F. Use of collaborative relationships in social work practice

V. Communication--10%

A. Communication principles
B. Communication techniques

VI. Professional Relationships--5%

A. Relationship concepts
B. Relationship in practice

VII. Professional Values and Ethics--13%

A. Responsibility to the client system
B. Responsibility to the profession
C. Confidentiality
D. Self-Determination

VIII. Supervision in Social Work--2%

A. Educational functions of supervision
B. Administrative functions of supervision

IX. Practice Evaluation and the Utilization of Research--2%

A. Methods of data collection
B. Research design and data analysis

X. Service Delivery--5%

A. Client system rights and entitlements
B. Implementation of organizational policies and procedures

XI. Social Work Administration--1%

A. Staffing and human resource management
B. Social work program management

Masters Examination (formerly called the Intermediate Exam)
Content Outline

I. Human Development and Behavior in the Environment--18%

A. Theories and concepts
B. Application of knowledge

II. Diversity and Social/Economic Justice--7%

A. Diversity
B. Social/economic justice & oppression

III. Assessment, Diagnosis & Intervention Planning--11%

A. Biopsychosocial history & collateral data
B. Assessment methods & techniques
C. Assessment indicators, components, & characteristics
D. Indicators of abuse and neglect
E. Intervention planning

IV. Direct & Indirect Practice--22%

A. Intervention models & methods
B. The intervention process
C. Intervention techniques
D. Intervention with couples and families
E. Intervention with groups
F. Intervention with communities and larger systems
G. Consultation and interdisciplinary collaboration

V. Communication--7%

A. Communication principles
B. Communication techniques

VI. Professional Relationships--5%

A. Relationship concepts
B. Social worker & client roles
C. Ethical issues within the relationship

VII. Professional Values and Ethics--11%

A. Professional values
B. Legal & ethical issues
C. Confidentiality

VIII. Supervision, Administration and Policy--8%

A. Supervision & staff development
B. Human resource management
C. Finance & administration

IX. Practice Evaluation and the Utilization of Research--2%

A. Data collection
B. Data analysis
C. Utilization of research

X. Service Delivery--9%

A. Service delivery systems
B. Obtaining services
C. Effects of policies & procedures on service delivery

Advanced Generalist Examination (formerly called the Advanced Exam)
Content Outline

I. Human Development & Behavior in the Environment--10%

A. Theories and models
B. Human growth & development
C. Family functioning

II. Issues of Diversity--5%

III. Assessment, Diagnosis and Intervention Planning--24%

A. Social history
B. Use of assessment instruments
C. Problem identification
D. Effects of the environment on client behavior
E. Impact of life stressors on systems
F. Evaluation of client strengths & weaknesses
G. Evaluation of mental & behavioral disorders
H. Abuse & neglect
I. Indicators of danger to self and others
J. General assessment issues
K. Intervention planning

IV. Direct and Indirect Practice--16%

A. Theories
B. Methods and processes
C. Intervention techniques
D. Intervention with couples and families
E. Intervention with groups
F. Intervention with communities

V. Communication--7%

A. Communication principles
B. Communication techniques

VI. Relationship Issues--5%

A. Concepts of social worker-client relationship
B. Effects of social and psychological factors

VII. Professional Values and Ethics--12%

A. Values and ethics
B. Confidentiality
C. Self-determination

VIII. Supervision and Professional Development--3%

IX. Practice Evaluation and the Utilization of Research--4%

A. Data collection
B. Data analysis and utilization

X. Service Delivery--11%

A. Service delivery systems and processes
B. Effects of policies, procedures, and legislation
C. Methods of social work advocacy
D. Interdisciplinary collaboration

XI. Administration--3%

A. Management
B. Human resource management
C. Financial management

Clinical Examination
Content Outline

I. Human Development & Behavior in the Environment--22%

A. Theories of human development and behavior
B. Human development in the life cycle
C. Human behavior
D. Impact of crises and changes
E. Family functioning
F. Addictions
G. Abuse & neglect

II. Issues of Diversity--6%

A. Effects of culture, race, and/or ethnicity
B. Effects of sexual orientation and/or gender
C. Effects of age and/or disability

III. Diagnosis and Assessment--16%

A. Assessment
B. Information gathering
C. Diagnostic classifications
D. Indicators of abuse and neglect
E. Indicators of danger to self and others

IV. Psychotherapy and Clinical Practice--16%

A. Intervention theories and models
B. The intervention process
C. Treatment planning
D. Intervention techniques
E. Intervention with couples and families
F. Intervention with groups

V. Communication--8%

A. Communication principles
B. Communication techniques

VI. The Therapeutic Relationship--7%

A. Relationship theories
B. Relationship practice

VII. Professional Values and Ethics--10%

A. Value issues
B. Legal and ethical issues
C. Confidentiality

VIII. Clinical Supervision, Consultation and Staff Development--4%

A. Social work supervision
B. Consultation and interdisciplinary collaboration
C. Staff development

IX. Practice Evaluation and the Utilization of Research--1%

A. Evaluation techniques
B. Utilization of research

X. Service Delivery--5%

A. Policies and procedures of service delivery
B. Processes of service delivery

XI. Clinical Practice & Management--5%

A. Advocacy
B. Finance
C. Management and human resource issues