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 2015 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/Field Manual. 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 (Competency 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- Influence social policies with the goal of alleviating poverty, oppression, and social
injustice as well as advocating for human rights (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 culturally-competent perspective which recognizes, appreciates
and applies the knowledge of diverse cultures, particularly those that differ from
one’s own (Competency 2, 4)