BSW and MSW Students' Perceptions of Their Academic Preparation for Group Work

Over six hundred graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in the field practicum at ten schools and programs of social work were surveyed to ascertain their views regarding their preparation for group work. Results indicated that while students generally felt prepared to run groups, most had received relatively little classroom preparation. Further, while respondents' views towards groups were generally favorable, a significant proportion did not anticipate running groups in their professional practice. Finally, students who had taken a course devoted exclusively to group work consistently exhibited more positive views towards groups, as did undergraduate students.