ASWB Masters study guide
ASWB Masters · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ASWB Masters examination is one of the social work licensing exams developed and maintained by the Association of Social Work Boards, which states that it develops and maintains the exams used to test a social worker's competence to practice ethically and safely. The Masters exam is intended for candidates who have completed a master's-level social work education and are pursuing licensure through their state or provincial board. The ASWB Masters study guide has 4 sections and about 1,232 words.
01Human Development, Diversity, and Behavior in the Environment
Human development gives you a baseline for "typical" so you can recognize atypical. Know Erikson's psychosocial stages, Piaget's cognitive stages, Kohlberg's moral reasoning, Bowlby and Ainsworth on attachment, and the family life cycle.
324 words, about 2 min02Assessment and Intervention Planning
Assessment rests on the biopsychosocial-spiritual interview, the mental status exam, DSM-5-TR criteria (duration, severity, functional impairment, rule-outs), differential diagnosis, and medical rule-outs. Risk assessment is the top priority: suicide (ideation, plan, intent, means, protective factors), violence, and abuse or neglect with mandated reporting.
288 words, about 1 min03Interventions with Clients/Client Systems
Know the major modalities and what each targets: CBT (cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation), DBT (distress tolerance and emotion regulation, especially for self-harm and borderline traits), psychodynamic work (insight, transference), solution-focused and narrative approaches (exceptions, strengths), motivational interviewing (OARS, change talk, stages of change from precontemplation to maintenance), TF-CBT and EMDR for trauma, and family systems concepts (boundaries, triangulation, homeostasis). Group work moves through forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning, and each stage needs different leadership.
301 words, about 2 min04Professional Relationships, Values, and Ethics
Know the NASW Code of Ethics core values: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. Know the standards on informed consent, confidentiality and its limits (danger to self or others, abuse of vulnerable persons, court order), HIPAA, boundaries and dual relationships, conflicts of interest, competence and scope of practice, supervision, records, fees, and termination.
319 words, about 2 min