MSW FINAL TEST 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◍ Who are the advisors for the MSW program at Michigan State University?.
Answer: Jen Scholes, LMSW (East Lansing Program) and Kelly Fornwalt,
LMSW (Statewide Blended Program, Assistant MSW Director)
◍ What does CSWE accreditation signify for the MSW program?.
Answer: It means the curriculum meets competency standards in nine areas
including ethics, diversity, social justice, research, policy, engagement,
assessment, intervention, and evaluation.
◍ The NASW Code of Ethics.
Answer: -summarized broad ethical standards -is the moral compass for
social work professions-holds the social work profession accountable
◍ What is required for licensure in social work?.
Answer: A degree from a CSWE accredited program.
◍ Social Work Values.
Answer: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance
of human relationships, integrity, competence
◍ What are the two standing options for the MSW program?.
Answer: Advanced and Regular.
◍ Professional values vs Personal values.
Answer: Ethical fading, self deception and awareness
◍ What are the available campus options for the MSW program?.
Answer: Statewide Blended (online) and East Lansing (in-person).
◍ Practicing ethical standards.
, Answer: -3 categories of responsibilities -Key responsibilities of the social
worker-Application of standards to scenarios
◍ Social workers' ethical responsibilities to clients.
Answer: -Commitment to clients-Self-determination-Informed
consent-Competence-Cultural competence and social diversity-Conflicts of
interest-Privacy and confidentiality-Limitations of client
confidentiality-Duty to warn (Tarasoff)
◍ Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues.
Answer: -Respect-Confidentiality-Sexual relationships and
harassment-Impairment, incompetence, or unethical behavior of colleagues
◍ Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals.
Answer: -Competence-Discrimination
◍ Ethical Responsibility in Research and Program Evaluation.
Answer: -Protection of human subjects-Voluntary participation-Informed
consent-Confidentiality-Protection of vulnerable/at-risk populations, etc.
◍ What is the minimum undergraduate GPA requirement for admission to the
MSW program?.
Answer: 3.25 for BSW from a CSWE accredited university or 3.0 for a
bachelor's from an accredited university.
◍ Functions of Documentation.
Answer: -Supporting thorough and accurate assessment and treatment
planning-Providing competent service delivery-Supporting continuity and
coordination of services among settings and care providers-Documenting
supervisory activities to show contacts/content in case of challenge,
personnel problems, or litigation-Providing data for program evaluation
activities-Allowing for accountability- information for 3rd party payors,
regulatory bodies, etc.
◍ Code of Ethics & Documentation.
Answer: -Calls for accurate documentation and protection of privacy of all
involved parties noted in the client record-Gives clients the right to access
, own records (if this occurs there is a duty to protect privacy of others noted
in the record)-Electronic records also have to have safeguards in place to
protect confidentiality and privacy-Storage of records needs to protect
privacy and confidentiality-Records need to be kept for at least several years
after termination in a secure, private location.
◍ How many credits are required for the MSW program starting in the
summer?.
Answer: 36 credits.
◍ Content of Documentation.
Answer: -Be thorough but don't overdo it. Think about what you have to
document to demonstrate activities and facilitate services as well as
protecting and serving all parties involved (assessment and treatment
planning, informed consent, actual contact information (including cancelled
and failed appointments)termination activities, supervisors should document
both supervision actions and consults.)-Too little vs. too much: document
enough information when handling a crisis to show your assessment,
thought process, decision. Don't document a lot when you are documenting
things like a client's fantasy (this could be used against him/her)-Document
enough to fulfill the function of the note and the job. In a crisis, document
smarter vs. longer.Personal notes and emails should also be written as if
they are public: they can be subpoenaed.-Families and couples: may want to
have one common file and separate files in which private sensitive
information is kept in case of later disputes-Don't air dirty laundry- no
comments about being unhappy in work environment, too few social
workers, unhelpful colleagues, etc in client records- this should be found in
administrative documentation only
◍ Language and Terminology.
Answer: -Choose words carefully and support your conclusions; avoid
defamatory language. Write remembering there is an audience.-Be clear and
specific; be careful with abbreviations and do not use ones that are not
approved or will be misunderstood-Qualify your statements- "appears to
, be", "seems to be"-Avoid libelous writing
◍ Credibility.
Answer: -Records need to be thorough and timely; record AFTER you have
delivered the service not before.-Document in the required window (during
the contact, immediately after, within 24 hours)- delayed documentation can
be used against you.-Use proper grammar so you can maintain
credibility-Acknowledge errors: either write a new note with correct
information or strike out error, insert correct information. Date and initial
change.
◍ Access to Records and Documents.
Answer: -There is no such thing as complete confidentiality: always assume
records will be seen-Subpoenas: know the difference for one requesting
records vs. one requesting a personal appearance (some organizations send
the person responsible for maintaining the record- i.e., medical records)-If
you receive a subpoena you can try to have it withdrawn or the information
requested narrowed-Do not release information without a court order or a
consent
◍ What is the duration of the full-time MSW program starting in the summer?.
Answer: 1 academic year.
◍ Regulations.
Answer: -Be sure you are familiar with all records that pertain to your
practice (HIPAA, FERPA, JCAHO, etc)-Work in compliance with these
expectations
◍ What is the duration of the part-time MSW program starting in the
summer?.
Answer: 2 academic years.
◍ What core value of the social work profession is violated when a client is
coerced into consenting to treatment?.
Answer: Dignity and worth of a person
◍ What is the format of the Statewide Blended MSW program?.
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◍ Who are the advisors for the MSW program at Michigan State University?.
Answer: Jen Scholes, LMSW (East Lansing Program) and Kelly Fornwalt,
LMSW (Statewide Blended Program, Assistant MSW Director)
◍ What does CSWE accreditation signify for the MSW program?.
Answer: It means the curriculum meets competency standards in nine areas
including ethics, diversity, social justice, research, policy, engagement,
assessment, intervention, and evaluation.
◍ The NASW Code of Ethics.
Answer: -summarized broad ethical standards -is the moral compass for
social work professions-holds the social work profession accountable
◍ What is required for licensure in social work?.
Answer: A degree from a CSWE accredited program.
◍ Social Work Values.
Answer: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance
of human relationships, integrity, competence
◍ What are the two standing options for the MSW program?.
Answer: Advanced and Regular.
◍ Professional values vs Personal values.
Answer: Ethical fading, self deception and awareness
◍ What are the available campus options for the MSW program?.
Answer: Statewide Blended (online) and East Lansing (in-person).
◍ Practicing ethical standards.
, Answer: -3 categories of responsibilities -Key responsibilities of the social
worker-Application of standards to scenarios
◍ Social workers' ethical responsibilities to clients.
Answer: -Commitment to clients-Self-determination-Informed
consent-Competence-Cultural competence and social diversity-Conflicts of
interest-Privacy and confidentiality-Limitations of client
confidentiality-Duty to warn (Tarasoff)
◍ Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues.
Answer: -Respect-Confidentiality-Sexual relationships and
harassment-Impairment, incompetence, or unethical behavior of colleagues
◍ Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals.
Answer: -Competence-Discrimination
◍ Ethical Responsibility in Research and Program Evaluation.
Answer: -Protection of human subjects-Voluntary participation-Informed
consent-Confidentiality-Protection of vulnerable/at-risk populations, etc.
◍ What is the minimum undergraduate GPA requirement for admission to the
MSW program?.
Answer: 3.25 for BSW from a CSWE accredited university or 3.0 for a
bachelor's from an accredited university.
◍ Functions of Documentation.
Answer: -Supporting thorough and accurate assessment and treatment
planning-Providing competent service delivery-Supporting continuity and
coordination of services among settings and care providers-Documenting
supervisory activities to show contacts/content in case of challenge,
personnel problems, or litigation-Providing data for program evaluation
activities-Allowing for accountability- information for 3rd party payors,
regulatory bodies, etc.
◍ Code of Ethics & Documentation.
Answer: -Calls for accurate documentation and protection of privacy of all
involved parties noted in the client record-Gives clients the right to access
, own records (if this occurs there is a duty to protect privacy of others noted
in the record)-Electronic records also have to have safeguards in place to
protect confidentiality and privacy-Storage of records needs to protect
privacy and confidentiality-Records need to be kept for at least several years
after termination in a secure, private location.
◍ How many credits are required for the MSW program starting in the
summer?.
Answer: 36 credits.
◍ Content of Documentation.
Answer: -Be thorough but don't overdo it. Think about what you have to
document to demonstrate activities and facilitate services as well as
protecting and serving all parties involved (assessment and treatment
planning, informed consent, actual contact information (including cancelled
and failed appointments)termination activities, supervisors should document
both supervision actions and consults.)-Too little vs. too much: document
enough information when handling a crisis to show your assessment,
thought process, decision. Don't document a lot when you are documenting
things like a client's fantasy (this could be used against him/her)-Document
enough to fulfill the function of the note and the job. In a crisis, document
smarter vs. longer.Personal notes and emails should also be written as if
they are public: they can be subpoenaed.-Families and couples: may want to
have one common file and separate files in which private sensitive
information is kept in case of later disputes-Don't air dirty laundry- no
comments about being unhappy in work environment, too few social
workers, unhelpful colleagues, etc in client records- this should be found in
administrative documentation only
◍ Language and Terminology.
Answer: -Choose words carefully and support your conclusions; avoid
defamatory language. Write remembering there is an audience.-Be clear and
specific; be careful with abbreviations and do not use ones that are not
approved or will be misunderstood-Qualify your statements- "appears to
, be", "seems to be"-Avoid libelous writing
◍ Credibility.
Answer: -Records need to be thorough and timely; record AFTER you have
delivered the service not before.-Document in the required window (during
the contact, immediately after, within 24 hours)- delayed documentation can
be used against you.-Use proper grammar so you can maintain
credibility-Acknowledge errors: either write a new note with correct
information or strike out error, insert correct information. Date and initial
change.
◍ Access to Records and Documents.
Answer: -There is no such thing as complete confidentiality: always assume
records will be seen-Subpoenas: know the difference for one requesting
records vs. one requesting a personal appearance (some organizations send
the person responsible for maintaining the record- i.e., medical records)-If
you receive a subpoena you can try to have it withdrawn or the information
requested narrowed-Do not release information without a court order or a
consent
◍ What is the duration of the full-time MSW program starting in the summer?.
Answer: 1 academic year.
◍ Regulations.
Answer: -Be sure you are familiar with all records that pertain to your
practice (HIPAA, FERPA, JCAHO, etc)-Work in compliance with these
expectations
◍ What is the duration of the part-time MSW program starting in the
summer?.
Answer: 2 academic years.
◍ What core value of the social work profession is violated when a client is
coerced into consenting to treatment?.
Answer: Dignity and worth of a person
◍ What is the format of the Statewide Blended MSW program?.
