Hi I've just started a Social Work Access Level 3 course which I need to do before I can go on and do a BA course. A friend of mine has given me "Ethics and values in social work" by Sarah Banks to read, which is great by the way. Could any students give me some ideas of books to read before I (hopefully) start my BA?

i am an aspiring social work student who is currently in training for my job in the military. i would love to know what books are needed for the first semester of the first year im trying to get started asap so when i get out of the military or go inactive reserve i can be a social worker.

There are literally hundreds of different texts in use at different universities. It would probably be most valuable if you first identified what school you wanted to attend, and learned from them what courses and books THEY use.

One other big variable to consider is, are you planning to get a bachelors degree in social work (BSW) or a masters degree in social work(MSW.) This should influence which books to get.

Rather than spending money on books you may or may not need: take advantage of the internet to find articles published online in journals like "The New social Worker" and "the Journal of social Work Values and Ethics." If you have access to a library,(like at Fort Riley as opposed to Fire Base Cobra) you can use their Journal search tools to find professional articles about social work and the specific topics you are interested in. Its always more fun reading specific topics that interest you. Keep track of what you've read, and then you will have that matterial to use when you are assigned papers in which you will be expected to look for and reference journal articles.

Last point: I don't know where you are stationed, nor your agademic background, but many undergraduate universities offer courses on-line or even on military bases throughout the US. For example, I am at Park University in Missouri, beginning next semester we will offer three of our "foundation" social work courses online.( "Intro to SW," "Social Welfare Policy & Programs," and "Human Diversity & Social Justice") We offer face to face classes at 28 military bases around the US and although we don't offer any of our SW courses on those bases (yet), students at those bases can take all the preliminary courses they will need in order to get into the major later on.

Several other universities offer similar "on line" courses and military affiliations. Check around.

Be aware (and wary) of programs offering social work degrees entirely "on line." and be sure to look for social work degrees only from schools "Accredited by the CSWE."

good luck

Gary Bachman MSSW
www.park.edu/socialwork

Yes, as Gary said, different universities require different books. The two free online publications that Gary mentioned are on this very site... The New Social Worker is at http://www.socialworker.com and the Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics is at http://www.socialworker.com/jswve -- We also do publish some books that are used at some universities in their social work programs. You can find our online bookstore at http://shop.whitehatcommunications.com

Regards,
Linda

And you might want to consider doing your practicum in the family resource office or counselling office right on your base. You do not need to leave the military to practice social work!

Good luck to you!