The Pursuit of Excellence in Social Work Education

This paper is based on a “Report of the Task Force on Quality in Social Work Education,” which was established by the National Conference of Deans and Directors of Graduate Schools of Social Work (now the American Association of Schools of Social Work). Some problems confronting social work education today are noted. The paper also sets forth a definition of excellence in social work education, three missions of graduate social work education, the elements of excellence, and indicators of excellence.