The Impact of Experiential Learning on Social Work Students’ Application of the NASW Code of Ethics Post-Graduation

Abstract

Experiential learning techniques have the ability to prepare social work students for practice by exposing them to real world challenges and allowing them to gain hands on experience. However, little is known about the direct impact such techniques have on students' social work careers post-graduation. This study aims to fill that gap. Qualitative interviews were conducted with graduates from an undergraduate social work program (N=20) who had participated in an immersion learning course as part of their social work education. In part, this course focused on poverty, homelessness, and sexual exploitation of women. The six values of the NASW Code of Ethics and the principles based on these values were used as a framework to investigate the impact of this course. Interviews were analyzed by multiple investigators using Nvivo12. Findings indicate that experiential learning techniques, such as immersion learning, can have an impact on how students understand and apply each of the six ethical values of the Code with a generalist approach to poverty and homelessness post-graduation. Particularly, students reported an ability to better apply the values of social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, and competence to their social work careers. These findings further inform social work education and reinforce the utility of experiential learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]