Social work education in the United States: a critical analysis

Abstract

Social work programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education educate students for practice at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This paper presents a critical analysis of social work education in the United States. The analysis suggests that graduates of social work programs do not appear to master the skills, knowledge and values critical to effective practice and policy intervention. The implications of these findings are offered.

Keywords:

• Social work education
• Social work students
• Educational reform
• Student learning

Notes

* School of Social work, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, No 65804, USA.

This article is based on findings in John T. Pardeck and Francis K.O. Yuen (Eds) (2004) Social work for the twenty‐first century: a critical analysis (Westport, CT, Praeger Publisher).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John T. Pardeck *

* School of Social work, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, No 65804, USA. This article is based on findings in John T. Pardeck and Francis K.O. Yuen (Eds) (2004) Social work for the twenty‐first century: a critical analysis (Westport, CT, Praeger Publisher).