BSW Program Admission Policies: Is There Empirical Support for What We Do?

Abstract

Social work admission criteria are used to ensure student academic competence, identify personal characteristics associated with success in social work education and practice, predict success in class and field work, and promote diversity of the student body. However, evidence that supports the effectiveness of these admission policies is inconclusive. This article discusses common BSW admission processes in American and Canadian colleges and universities, presents findings of studies that have examined admission practices, and recommends methods for using research evidence to design admission criteria that effectively choose the best social work students.

Keywords:

• social work education
• admission standards
• screening applicants
• students