Emerging Social Work Field Education Trends in China

ABSTRACT

MSW field education in China has been adopting Western models. However, this adaptation cannot address all educational and professional training needs in China. This study used an exploratory qualitative study design and interviewed 54 MSW students regarding their field experiences at a university in Shanghai. Results revealed six key themes: field education curriculum design’s influence on student field experiences, faculty advisers’ influence on student field experiences, field agencies’ expectations toward MSW intern performance, field agencies’ capacity to host MSW interns, student perceptions of their professional competencies, and students’ coping strategies to manage challenges in field practicum. Competency-based social work field education is a potential solution to address the current social work field education challenges in China.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yi Cai

Yi Cai is a lecturer at Social and Public Administration School, East China University of Science and Technology. Ai Bo is a PhD Student at Silver School of Social Work, New York University. Suh Chen Hsiao is Clinical Assistant Professor, Field Education and Assistant Director, Virtual Academic Center Field Education, at Suzanne Dvorak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California.