ASWB Bachelors case studies
ASWB Bachelors · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ASWB Bachelors examination is one of the four Social Work Licensing Exams developed and maintained by the Association of Social Work Boards, alongside the Masters, Advanced Generalist, and Clinical exams. It is a computer-based exam that regulatory boards use to test a candidate's competence to practice ethically and safely - which means it is not something you sign up for on your own. The ASWB Bachelors case studies are 5 cases and about 4,157 words.
1The Cousin as Interpreter and a Request for Silence
Alvarez brings her 16-year-old son, Diego, to a community mental health agency 14 months after the family immigrated. Diego's grades have fallen from Bs to Ds, he has quit soccer, and he sleeps most of the weekend.
773 words, about 4 min2Grief, Weight Loss, and a Daughter on the Phone
Okonkwo, 74, is referred by his primary care physician six months after his wife of 44 years died. He has lost 9 kg, wakes at 4 a.m., has stopped attending his church men's group, and told the physician, "There's no point cooking for one." His PHQ-9 is 17.
827 words, about 4 min3Bartering, the Only Clinician in Town
You are the only licensed clinical social worker in a town of 2,100. Your agency uses a sliding fee scale; Mr.
847 words, about 4 min4Three Referrals, One Waitlist
Your outpatient program has a six-week waitlist and three clinicians. On Tuesday morning three referrals arrive: (1) a 34-year-old mother of three who was served an eviction notice with 10 days to vacate and has no transportation; (2) a 19-year-old referred by name from an emergency department five days ago after suicidal ideation, discharged with a safety plan she now says she "lost"; (3) a 58-year-old man whose psychiatrist is retiring next month and wants a medication-management transfer.
799 words, about 4 min5A Gift Card, a Billing Practice, and a Late-Night Text
You supervise Tanya, an LMSW with 14 months of post-graduate experience in a group practice. In supervision she mentions, laughing, that a long-term client "insisted" on giving her a $200 steakhouse gift card after her dog died, and she accepted it "to be polite." She also says she schedules that client for 90 minutes but bills 60, because "she needs extra time and insurance won't pay." She asks whether she needs to mention either item on her licensing application.
911 words, about 5 min