CONTENT OUTLINES AND KSAs Masters Social Work Licensing Examination - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Jake

Content outlines and KSAs for the Masters Social Work Licensing Examination explain how knowledge, skills, and abilities statements guide the discrete subject components tested in each exam part. The material details the Masters Examination structure by major domains and percentage weights, including human development, diversity, abuse and neglect, and assessment and intervention planning. It further lists representative topic areas such as lifespan development, attachment, aging, abuse indicators, social and economic justice, biopsychosocial history, and collateral data requirements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

What are KSAs?

ASWB Examination program

Masters Examination

I. Human Development, Diversity, and Behavior in the Environment (27%)

IA. Human Growth and Development

IB. Concepts of Abuse and Neglect

IC. Diversity, Social/Economic Justice, and Oppression

II. Assessment and Intervention Planning (24%)

IIA. Biopsychosocial History and Collateral Data

CONTENT OUTLINES AND KSAS Masters Social Work Licensing Examination What are KSAs? A KSA is a “knowledge, skills, and abilities” statement. These statements describe the discrete knowledge components that may be tested in each part of the examination, and are the basis for individual test questions. ASWB Examination program Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Masters Examination I. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, DIVERSITY, AND BEHAVIOR IN THE ENVIRONMENT 27% IA. HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT This section of the exam may include questions on the following topics: • Theories of human development throughout the lifespan (e.g. , physical, social, emotional, cognitive, behavioral) • The indicators of normal and abnormal physical, cognitive, emotional, and sexual development throughout the lifespan • Theories of sexual development throughout the lifespan • Theories of spiritual development throughout the lifespan • Theories of racial, ethnic, and cultural development throughout the lifespan • The effects of physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities throughout the lifespan • The interplay of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors • Basic human needs • The principles of attachment and bonding • The effect of aging on biopsychosocial functioning • The impact of aging parents on adult children • Gerontology • Personality theories • Theories of conflict • Factors influencing self-image (e.g. , culture, race, religion/spirituality, age, disability, trauma) • Body image and its impact (e.g. , identity, self-esteem, relationships, habits) • Parenting skills and capacities • The effects of addiction and substance abuse on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities • Feminist theory • The impact of out-of-home placement (e.g. , hospitalization, foster care, residential care, criminal justice system) on clients/client systems • Basic principles of human genetics • The family life cycle • Family dynamics and functioning and the effects on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities • Theories of couples development • The impact of physical and mental illness on family dynamics • Psychological defense mechanisms and their effects on behavior and relationships • Addiction theories and concepts • Systems and ecological perspectives and theories • Role theories IA. HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (continued) • Theories of group development and functioning • Theories of social change and community development • The dynamics of interpersonal relationships • Models of family life education in social work practice • Strengths-based and resilience theories • The impact of stress, trauma, and violence • Crisis intervention theories • Theories of trauma-informed care • The impact of the environment (e.g. , social, physical, cultural, political, economic) on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities • The effects of life events, stressors, and crises on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities • Person-in-Environment (PIE) theory • Communication theories and styles • Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic approaches • The impact of care giving on families • The dynamics and effects of loss, separation, and grief IB. CONCEPTS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT This section of the exam may include questions on the following topics: • Indicators and dynamics of abuse and neglect throughout the lifespan • The effects of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities • The indicators, dynamics, and impact of exploitation across the lifespan (e.g. , financial, immigration status, sexual trafficking) • The characteristics of perpetrators of abuse, neglect, and exploitation IC. DIVERSITY, SOCIAL/ECONOMIC JUSTICE, AND OPPRESSION This section of the exam may include questions on the following topics: • The effect of disability

FAQs

What do KSAs stand for in the Masters Social Work Licensing Examination outline?

KSAs mean knowledge, skills, and abilities statements. They describe the discrete knowledge components that may be tested and form the basis for individual test questions.

Which major exam section focuses on human development and diversity?

Section I, “Human Development, Diversity, and Behavior in the Environment,” covers topics such as lifespan human growth, indicators of normal and abnormal development, and issues related to abuse, neglect, and social/economic justice.

What topics are included under assessment and intervention planning?

Section II, “Assessment and Intervention Planning,” includes biopsychosocial history and collateral data, such as components of a biopsychosocial assessment, the mental status examination, illness-related biopsychosocial responses, and ways to obtain sensitive information.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Jake