Adjuncts in Social Work Programs: Good Practice or Unethical?

Abstract

Social work education programs rely heavily on adjunct instructors, as do most academic institutions. This article adds to existing literature on adjuncts by focusing on the unique issues in social work education, using social work values and ethics as a focus. The benefits and detriments for adjuncts, programs, and students in schools of social work are reviewed. Social justice issues are explored with respect to adjuncts and nontraditional students. The author recommends supporting adjuncts by offering an orientation and a mentor, providing health benefits, distributing course times more evenly, and providing more advance notice of course offerings.

Keywords:

• adjunct instruction
• social work education
• ethics