The Attractions of Private Practice

Abstract

Observers have expressed concern about the large number of social work students who expect to enter private practice. To explore why many students plan to enter private practice, the author conducted a survey of students in a New York State masters of social work program. Findings indicated that students’ plans for private practice were influenced by their interest in treatment modalities and client groups that lend themselves to a private practice setting. In addition, students who placed great importance on being their own boss, earning a good income, and having flexible work hours were more likely than other social work students to plan to enter private practice. Students who placed great importance on helping the most disadvantaged people in their community were less likely than other students to plan to enter private practice.