State statutes/NASW Code Comparison
Suggested page length: 6 pages MAXIMUM (see instructions below) – suggested page limit excludes references and cover page.
The NASW Code of Ethics is the guiding, aspirational professional (and national) code for social workers. Because state licensure is per jurisdiction (i.e., per state), each state’s licensing board has used the NASW code to develop their own state statutes and regulations required to practice ethically (i.e., for your individual license to remain in good standing with the state’s licensing board). These state regulations are legally binding, but the NASW code is not. There are similarities and differences between the NASW Code and the states. The purpose of this assignment is to understand them.
There are three steps for this Discussion #2 assignment:
Select any state EXCEPT FOR MARYLAND (that is provided as an example in the Module) to compare/contrast with the NASW Code of Ethics (COE)
Post your completed paper (Upload as a PDF) and link to the Code of Ethics/State Regulations for the selected state in Discussion #2
Respond to at least one classmate – you must respond to the question prompts provided below, but you are also free to add additional information.
For this assignment (that you will upload as a pdf, per step 2 above), you will do the following using the table template provided (remember to include your title page, etc. per APA format):
Introduction: Identify the state you selected. State your rationale for selecting this state.
Web search: Locate the (administrative) state code of ethics/regulations/statutes for social workers for that state. Some states may refer to this as regulations, standards or codes of practice. Your search should start with the state’s licensing board. All state’s licensing boards are required to include a link to their regulations. Do NOT use a secondary source (i., non-state licensing board site).
Table comparison: Using the table template Download table template provided, compare the NASW Code of Ethics(COE) to the state’s codes of ethics, standards of practice, etc. As you can see from the table template, you Look through each section of the two and compare similarities and differences between them. Please note, that the sections will not match up perfectly, but that does not mean that the content from the NASW is not covered in the individual state (administrative) codes. Inference and critical thinking will be needed to interpret the comparisons! You do not need to go word for word or address each component of the section; for now, you should look at general similarities and general differences in order to identify areas social workers need to be aware of if they were practicing in the selected state. Be sure to include an example (i.e., where, specifically in each document to support your point) of any given similarity and/or difference to support your table comparison. Your examples should stand on their own; that is, any peer would be able to go to the given section, statute, etc. and understand where in the document to find supporting evidence for your comparison.
Bullet points should be used – do not write paragraphs in for each comparison in the table template provided.
This section should not be longer than 3-4 single-spaced pages.
Narrative analysis: After completing the comparison table (which is more of a micro and mezzo level analysis), now step back and look at the bigger picture. In your table comparison, what you have learned about how your state has interpreted the professional and national (NASW) Code of Ethics? In other words, write a macro analysis of the difference between the NASW COE and state regulations. Identify at least one positive aspect and one negative aspect of having separate state regulations (state licensing-board affiliated) and a NASW code (our professional and national organization’s code).
Submission: Save as a PDF (in Word, you select “File” and “Save As” and switch the “Save as Type” from Word document to PDF) and post this to the discussion board.
