The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is a nonprofit national association representing more than 3,000 individual members as well as 650 graduate and undergraduate programs of professional social work education. Founded in 1952, this partnership of educational and professional institutions, social welfare agencies, and private citizens is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States. Social work education focuses students on leadership and direct practice roles helping individuals, families, groups, and communities by creating new opportunities that empower people to be productive, contributing members of their communities.
OUR VISION
The reach of social work stretches across all sectors of society, from business, to the medical fields, to social services, and beyond. Social work education teaches students—all students—about the human dimensions and complexities of social interactions. It also helps nurture the development of thoughtful leaders in every sector. Our vision for the future is one in which every student, K-12 and onward, is taught to understand these interactions, is equipped with the skills needed to be successful within the larger society, and also gains an understanding of the importance of social work as it is integrated throughout their educational career. It’s a vision that goes beyond addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and allows all persons to gain an understanding and appreciation for the complexities of human interaction across gender, generation, race, social status, culture, and belief. We believe the recommendations contained in this memorandum bring us closer to fulfilling this vision.
CHALLENGES
The next President of the United States faces domestic challenges at all levels of society. Middle class working people and their families are coping with difficult economic times. Vulnerable populations from all walks of life—defined here as children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, those living in poverty, trauma victims, aging individuals, returning veterans, individuals under stress or facing coping challenges both temporary and permanent, and segments of society needing assistance to adjust to changing circumstances or overcome injustices—are faced with hurdles which for some cannot be overcome alone.
Social workers help vulnerable populations in society be as healthy and productive as possible by working with them to navigate societal and personal challenges. Social workers are employed in schools, hospitals, VA facilities, rehabilitation centers, social service locations, child welfare organizations, assisted living centers, nursing homes, and faith-based organizations. Given the breadth of the profession, there are simply too few social workers to keep pace with the demand.
It is generally accepted throughout the profession—among social work practitioners and educators alike—that recruitment and retention poses the most significant challenge to the success of the profession. This is true across all sectors (public and private), at all levels (from BSW to the doctoral level), and in all fields of practice (child welfare, public health, mental health, geriatrics, veterans, etc.). Organizations like the National Association of Social Workers, a membership organization representing professional social workers, provide leadership in creating metrics for better understanding and articulating this deficiency. CSWE focuses its efforts on the educational needs associated with fostering a sustainable and competent social work workforce, such as recruitment and retention, diversity and accessibility, and maintaining integrity in higher education through sound accreditation standards for both the baccalaureate and master’s level education. The recommendations made within this memorandum address these needs.