Increasing Social Work Students’ Political Interest and Efficacy

ABSTRACT

Despite the inclusion of policy practice skills as one of 10 core competencies in social work education, many social workers do not feel adequately prepared to engage in political advocacy. This mixed-methods study explored how undergraduate students respond to social welfare policy instructors’ efforts to prepare them for political engagement. A model for social welfare policy instruction is proposed, which includes seven key aspects of the students’ learning experience and 11 recommended teaching methods for more effectively supporting students in the development of political interest, internal political efficacy, and ultimately policy practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Advocacy
• legislative policy practice
• social work education