Ethics in Admissions

Abstract

This paper reviews graduate applications/admissions data for 1975–84, and shows that as applications have decreased, the acceptance rate has increased. Referring to the NASW Code of Ethics, the paper suggests this trend raises a number of ethical issues with which the field should be concerned. Traditional alternatives to liberalized admissions are also reviewed and their perceived efficacy is examined. It is suggested that hold-harmless strategies are insufficient to counteract the societal trends which adversely affect graduate social work education and, further, that the field must begin to proactively plan for fewer, or at least smaller, graduate programs.