The Impact of Learning Abroad Programs on Graduate Social Work Students’ Competency Development

ABSTRACT

This research examines students’ perceptions of how learning abroad programs furthered the development of the nine core EPAS social work competencies. Ninety MSW graduates who participated in a learning abroad course during their graduate program completed an anonymous online survey assessing the association between study abroad participation, cultural engagement, attitudes toward diversity, and social work competency development. Results indicate learning abroad participation had the strongest impact on the development of competencies related to diversity, social justice, and engagement. Ethnic minority students reported participating in learning abroad as particularly important to their competency development. Implications for social work education and research are explored.

KEYWORDS:

• Learning abroad
• competencies
• EPAS
• social work education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.