Social Work Minors in Undergraduate Education: Benefit or Burden?

ABSTRACT

While much is written about the professionalization of practitioners with bachelor’s degrees in social work, there is a void in the literature with regard to the role of those with undergraduate minors in social work. The few articles on social work minor programs are dated, yet the number of such programs is increasing, but with little consistency in requirements and no agreed upon competencies for their graduates. Much like the debate that took place when those with bachelor’s degrees were recognized as professionals in the field, there are “pros” and “cons” associated with offering social work minors. This article presents some arguments both in favor of and opposed to accredited programs offering social work minors. It also suggests necessary “next steps” for social work educators and administrators in order to strengthen the efficacy of social work minor programs and solidify their place in social work education.

KEYWORDS:

• Social work minor
• BSW education
• social work accreditation
• undergraduate administration
• interdisciplinary education
• social work regulation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.