I was deeply concerned about the discussion regarding the importance or lack of regarding grades in social work school. I travel 2 hours to attend graduate school because I felt the 2 other available universities would not provide a quality education instead would simply provide me with a piece of paper after I put in a certain amount of class time and paid the necessary fees.

This is very scary to me as I believe that social work is not just providing a friendly ear or advising someone on how to obtain services. I believe we as social workers offer a professional service that requires critical analysis of personal and systems data.

Are we so grandiose to assume that the education offered to us is not needed because after all we really know how to talk to people and that is the only necessary skill. I find it very frightening when I am sitting in class and a fellow student has this attitude. In my opinion it is too easy for us to become social workers.

If I have learned anything in school it is that the more I learn the more I realize I need to learn.

Erika

It is good that you were able to find a social work school that you feel will provide a better education over the others available to you. However, I've found and heard from other students that social work education is not rigorous and that good grades are very easy to come by. I found my program, especially the first year courses, to be a rather sad joke. I found a lot of the courses to be completely useless. I really learned very little in my social work program and have since changed career directions. I think it is the poor quality of the MSW programs that foster the "we really don't need these classes" attitude. If folks are not learning anything in their classes, what is the point of taking the classes or even attending them?

Certainly the low standards set by universities for social work courses is concerning particularly because we pay so dearly to attend classes. However, I would like to point out that if social workers are feeling that they need further professional development (this should certainly apply to everyone) that they look for relevant conferences or initiate independent study or study groups. There is nothing to prevent us from enhancing our educations independently as formal university education is not the only forum for professional development.

From,

Diana in Canada

Dear all...

I am not sure how or why, but I tend to find these "Social Work education is lacking" conversations.

I agree whole-heartedly with Erika. I remember sitting in my BSW classes and with a class of around 25, maybe 5 or 6 people "got it." I feared the day when the other 20 students stepped foot into the home of a stressed family, as newly graduated "social workers."

I am going to begin my MSW pursuit this upcoming January, and am trying to prepare myself for aspects that will annoy the hell out of me - some of the fellow students, some professor perspectives,a nd occasional valueless course material. But, on the other hand...I am sure there will be at least 5 or 6 other students with radical leanings; I am sure there will be at least 2 professors with the same leanings; and I know, as I did with my BSW education, a lot of the learning will be left up to me.

When all else fails (and most of it probably will) seek out the other like-minded souls who give a damn about their education and the pursuit of social work. And then...follow Diana in Canada's advice, form groups whereby you increase learning from each other. And continue Diana's advice after your education. Except...I have yet to find a workshop or conference (except the annual Bertha Capen Reynold's society's conference) worth the proverbial damn. Maybe someday.

Take care,
Michael

Addendeum: To Portia...I reiterate, although social work education standards are surely lacking, we also have a responsibility for our learning. Even in some of the worst learning environments, there is still an opportunity to seek out the gold nugget among the crap.

Also..to anyone...while your in school...if the standards set forth by your social work department suck, then get involved...get on some departmental committees (curriculum, appointments, etc.), and sit in on the departmental meetings of the whole. Get involved, organize some other students who care. I found that if the students give a crap and are ready to fight for something in the tradition of the profession, you will probably be allied with 50% of the faculty right out of the box. Give it a shot.

Hi Michael:

You've made some great points. I also agree with your statement that as students, we should get more involved. I think that although many students tend to complain, the desire to actually change things is low. My frustration is that in my experience, it was relatively easy to get an A in BSW and MSW courses. Although this is inappropriate, there are not many who would want to make changes to be marked more dillegently so that more effort had to be put into assignments. Those who do see this as an important issue are more likely to increase their independent study rather than rock the boat. (Not that I agree, this is just how I think it is.)

Take care,


Diana