Student Progress in a Social Work Writing Course: Self-Efficacy, Course Objectives, and Skills

Abstract

Although instructors express concerns about social work students’ writing skills, little research has been conducted. One remedy is a social work–focused writing course. This study assessed a required writing course with a sample of 49 baccalaureate students. From online pre- and posttest surveys, 2 student outcomes improved significantly: self-reported scores for writing self-efficacy and competence in course objectives. On-demand writing samples improved significantly based on anonymous ratings by the course instructors; however, blind ratings found gains but not at a significant level. Improved outcomes were not associated with demographic or background characteristics. We discuss limitations of the study and implications for social work education.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jane D. Woody

Jane D. Woody is professor, Mary G. Zeleny is academic advisor, Henry J. D’Souza is professor, Jeanette Harder is professor, Jacqueline Reiser is instructor, and Peter Szto is associate professor and program chair at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Mary G. Zeleny

Jane D. Woody is professor, Mary G. Zeleny is academic advisor, Henry J. D’Souza is professor, Jeanette Harder is professor, Jacqueline Reiser is instructor, and Peter Szto is associate professor and program chair at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Henry J. D’Souza

Jane D. Woody is professor, Mary G. Zeleny is academic advisor, Henry J. D’Souza is professor, Jeanette Harder is professor, Jacqueline Reiser is instructor, and Peter Szto is associate professor and program chair at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Jeanette Harder

Jane D. Woody is professor, Mary G. Zeleny is academic advisor, Henry J. D’Souza is professor, Jeanette Harder is professor, Jacqueline Reiser is instructor, and Peter Szto is associate professor and program chair at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Jacqueline Reiser

Jane D. Woody is professor, Mary G. Zeleny is academic advisor, Henry J. D’Souza is professor, Jeanette Harder is professor, Jacqueline Reiser is instructor, and Peter Szto is associate professor and program chair at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Peter Szto

Jane D. Woody is professor, Mary G. Zeleny is academic advisor, Henry J. D’Souza is professor, Jeanette Harder is professor, Jacqueline Reiser is instructor, and Peter Szto is associate professor and program chair at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.