Are Baccalaureate Level Social Workers Who Graduate from Accredited BSW Programs Prepared to Enter into Positions Working in Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Programs?

Abstract

BSW-level social workers have high rates of employment in alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment centers (Sun, 2001). To investigate whether BSW programs provide course work in the area of substance abuse, this exploratory study was undertaken. All CSWE Accredited BSW Programs listed in the Directory of Colleges and Universities with Accredited Social Work Degree Programs (August 1999) were surveyed to see if they provide the educational training that would assist social workers in the substance abuse field. Results from the 426 BSW programs surveyed indicated that only 25% of the programs [n = 107] offered one or more courses in substance abuse. Suggestions are provided to address this lack of content in BSW programs.

Key Words:

• BSW positions
• substance abuse treatment
• AOD
• co-morbidity
• professional preparedness