An overview of social work education in the United States: new directions and new opportunities

Abstract

The social work profession in 2009 is a global profession and given its breadth and scope as a worldwide profession, we should not be surprised by the diversity found in the profession's practices and in its educational programmes. This paper outlines current issues, emerging trends in the United States for social work education, and presents a broad overview of the 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, the Council on Social Work Education's policy that creates the framework for American social work education. What is presented is only an illustration of one nation, among more than 190 world-wide, as it defines the social work profession and its education for professional practice. The extent to which the experiences in the United States influence social work practice elsewhere in the global community is left to those local professionals or national professional associations to craft a culturally relevant profession that promotes human well-being.