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Linking Students And Professional Associations: A Curricular Strategy, Shirley Simon, Susan F. Grossman

Social Work: School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Other Works

Students in professional social work programs in the United States traditionally receive little direct information about or contact with professional associations. What exposure they do get is haphazard and primarily through extracurricular means. This article describes and evaluates a curricular module to enhance student awareness of and connection to professional associations. The group work classes at a Midwestern U.S. university were adapted to include a course module addressing the role of professional associations. Components of the module include readings, discussions, presentations and attendance at a professional association meeting. A pre- and post-test was administered to assess the initial impact of …