Policy Education in U.S. Social Work Programs: Results of a National Study

ABSTRACT

Using data from the Council on Social Work Education’s Annual Survey, this study captures a baseline snapshot of policy practice education in U.S.-based bachelor of social work and master of social work programs. Results indicate that the nature of students’ preparation to incorporate policy change into practice depends on which program they attended. This first study of policy practice education across U.S. BSW and MSW programs examines policy-related coursework, instruction, field-based learning, and hands-on educational experiences. The study finds substantial program variation, including the type of faculty teaching policy courses and their direct policy practice experience, as well as in the inclusion of field-based and hands-on policy learning opportunities. Implications for strengthening policy education in the United States are discussed.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ The Coalition for Policy Education & Practice in Social Work was created to strengthen the presence of policy practice in social work education. Funded through the Fund for Social Policy Education and Practice, the coalition’s advisory committee included representatives of a number of national social work organizations, including the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work, the National Association of Social Workers, the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors, the Society for Social Work and Research, and Influencing Social Policy.

Additional information

Funding

This article is based on the data collected through the first author’s work as Scholar for the Coalition for Policy Education and Practice in Social Work. The Coalition’s work was funded by the Fund for Social Policy Education and Practice (FSPEP), which is supported by the Lois and Samuel Silberman Grant Fund of the New York Community Trust.

Notes on contributors

Suzanne Pritzker

Suzanne Pritzker is associate professor and associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. Natalia Giraldo-Santiago is a PhD candidate at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work.