Generic Practice in Graduate Social Work Curricula: A Study of Educators' Experiences and Attitudes

Abstract

This paper reports a study of the teaching of generic social work in graduate curricula in the United States. A key finding was that although a sizable majority of faculty supported a broad definition of generic practice, including a full range of micro and macro interventions, micro approaches were given more emphasis. Major difficulties encountered were: (1) inability to attain depth, (2) lack of faculty expertise in all components of generic practice, and (3) insufficient integration with field work. A majority of faculty lacked formal preparation for generic practice; macro practice was the area of deficiency reported. Core concepts relevant to generic practice were identified. Despite the problems, faculty believe that generic social work is a needed mode of practice.