A Survey of Social Policy Placements in BSW Education

Abstract

CSWE-accredited U.S. BSW programs were surveyed regarding policy placements. The response rate was 39 percent. Thirty-three percent of the programs had policy placements and, of a total of 4,872 students, only 124 were in policy placements. Associated factors were: (1) the respondent believed that policy practice was compatible with generalist BSW practice; and (2) the respondent believed that BSW practitioners should spend a higher proportion of their time on policy practice. Distance from the state capital was significant for programs within 90 miles. The discussion includes identifying the need to increase the number of policy placements and suggestions for accomplishing this.

Key Words:

• Policy field placements
• BSW education
• social policy
• BSW survey
• BSW field education