Preferences and perceptions of students about the degree in Social Work

ABSTRACT

The Social Work Degree prepares students for their future professional practice. Considering the students’ point of view helps to gather their impressions. It also makes it possible to improve and make teaching and institutional decisions. The aim of this study is to explore the perceived quality of the students of the Degree in Social Work taught in the Public Universities of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia (Spain). For this purpose, we have chosen to carry out an exploratory study with a qualitative approach. A non-probabilistic sample of 73 participants made up of students from various courses was used. The instrument used was a questionnaire of open questions elaborated in Microsoft Forms and distributed telematically. The results show a high level of satisfaction with the Social Work studies received. The opinions have made it possible to extract categories of analysis on overall satisfaction, methodology, content, teaching staff, and the link between training and professional practice. The study show which dimensions they consider to contribute quality to their studies, showing a preference for practical issues. They emphasize their interest in participatory teaching methodologies, updated content and teaching staff who are involved in their teaching practice that will enable their future professional practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Perception
• Social Work
• university
• quality of education
• student body

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Juana María Morcillo Martínez

Juana María Morcillo Martínez, PhD in Social Work from the University of Jaén (2013). Master in Dependency and Equality in Personal Autonomy (2009) and Diploma in Social Work (2007). Research line: Gender, Dependency and Social Exclusion. Currently he teaches Bachelor and Postgraduate degree at the University of Jaén. She is coordinator of studies and academic activity related to social intervention and research. The trajectory researcher has been characterized by the publication of articles in impact journals, the participation in research projects of different universities of national competition and of the European Union, for the presentation of numerous papers at national and international congresses, and for research stays at universities in Spain, Morocco and Poland.

María Victoria Ochando Ramírez

María Victoria Ochando Ramírez, PhD in Social Work from the University of Jaén (2016) with thesis on quality in Specialized Social Services. Master in Social and Community Research and Intervention (2011), Master in Law and Public Administration (2018), EFQM evaluator (2013) and Diploma in Social Work (2010). Line of research: Quality, Social Work and Social Services, social intervention in addictions. He is currently a Graduate and Postgraduate Professor at the International University of La Rioja. She has worked as a social worker in the third sector, which she has combined with management and university teaching functions. The research activity has focused on quality issues as a cross-cutting axis for the improvement of research and social intervention, participating in conferences and quality evaluations of public and private entities.

Isabel María Martínez Salvador

Isabel María Martínez Salvador, PhD in Social Work focused on the protection of minors towards the vulnerability of independence: a difficult reality for unaccompanied young foreigners. Diploma in Social Work. Currently teaching in Social Work and Social Services at the University of Almería, with experience in several universities. He teaches undergraduate and master studies. She has developed studies on inclusive teaching innovation related to functional diversity in the classroom, as well as on topics related to social work and addressing issues related to migration processes. He has experience in socio-occupational counselling and integration, professional training and care for migrants.