Direct Practice Interests of MSW Students: Changes from Entry to Graduation

Abstract

A previously reported baseline study found that most entering direct practice students aspire to become psychotherapists in private practice and have little interest in social work's distinctive person-in-environment focus, its functions, or its clientele. The current study assesses how those interests and aspirations change from entry to graduation. The findings show some decline in the appeal of psychotherapy, private practice, and most categories of clientele and case situations. Movement toward a more balanced person-in-environment perspective appears to be modest. Alternative interpretations and implications of the findings are explored.