Perceptions of Macro Social Work Education: An Exploratory Study of Educators and Practitioners

Authors

Katharine M. Hill, St Catherine University
Christina Erickson, Augsburg UniversityFollow
Linda Plitt Donaldson, Catholic University
Sondra J. Fogel, University of South Florida
Sarah M. Ferguson, St Marys University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2017

DOI

10.18060/21455

Abstract

Social work graduate education is responsive to and reflective of larger environmental forces, including economic and job market trends, regulations by diverse organizations, and student interests. A national online survey of macro social work educators (n=208) and macro social work practitioners (n=383) explored their perceptions of the intersections between these forces and graduate social work education. Findings indicate that while there remains a consistent level of support for and inclusion of macro social work within MSW programs from both groups, macro practitioners identified a concurrent experience of negative perceptions, attitudes, and experiences toward macro social work education while in their graduate programs. We suggest that social work programs seek out opportunities to integrate macro practice content and field experiences into their curriculum, so that students can be better equipped to respond to the complex systemic challenges they will encounter while in professional practice.

Comments

Published in the Open Access journal Advances in Social Work here: http://advancesinsocialwork.iupui.edu/index.php/advancesinsocialwork/article/view/21455

Recommended Citation

Hill, K., Erickson, C. L., Donaldson, L. P., Fogel, S. J., & Ferguson, S. M. (2017). Perceptions of macro social work education: An exploratory study of educators and practitioners. Advances in Social Work, 18(2), 522-542.