Social educators' professional competencies: Contrast of perceptions from undergraduate students vs. professional social workers

Abstract

Based on recent literature, we start from the hypothesis that the competences that are addressed in the initial training of social educators do not cover the training needs that are demanded for professional practice. To contrast this hypothesis, a research is presented aimed at knowing the perceptions of first and second year students of the degree of Social Education at the University of Granada, on the priority competencies for professional performance. Applying a questionnaire based on a previous one applied to practicing professionals, the results of this research point to a lack of definition in the graduate profile itself, and to the weakness of the competency-based training model that has been implemented in higher education.