The following describes the Personal Professional Philosophy Statement that you are being asked to develop
for the Portfolio. Predicated on the CSWE, EPAS 2015, Competency 1, along with some reference to
Competency 4, 8, and 9, your Personal Professional Philosophy is designed to be a reflective statement,
summarizing your individual sense of self as an emergent social work professional. Unlike the other artifacts
and components of the Portfolio, this one is specifically designed to reflect academic and professional
development in terms of specific prompts. These prompts are asking you as an emergent professional to share
what you have come to believe, the attitudes you have developed, and the opinions which will inform and form
you professional practice moving forward. Different from a typical paper, the personal professional philosophy
assumes you as the expert on you and empowers you to tell the world what you are thinking, the ideas that
have resonated with you throughout your baccalaureate social work education and how you plan to be the
social worker you have become.
Outline (general) MINIMAL
A.) Vision/Mission Statement 2-3 paragraphs
B.) Self-Recognition (Professional Identity) 1-1 ½ pages
C.) Self-Reflection (Professional Use of Self) 1 page
D.) Lifelong Learning Plan 2-3 paragraphs
E.) Summary Statement 1 paragraph
Please use the following format/headings when crafting your paper.
Vision/Mission Statement: In this section you will focus on your personal vision in the field of social work and
what is your vision and commitment to the field. What are some of the values and skills you may bring to
address particular social issues?
Self-Recognition (Personal Identity): In this section it is important to reflect on how you view yourself as a
social worker. What have you learned throughout the program and/or at your field placement that will enhance
your practice (Theories, competencies etc.)?
Self-Reflection (Professional Use of Self): How will you utilize your knowledge, skills, values, personality etc.
when interacting with individuals/families you will be working with? How will you demonstrate the authentic
you?
Life Learning Plan: In this section you will focus on your future goals related to your education, training, desired
social work job, licensure plans etc.