The Quest for Professionalization

Social Work Develops from “Everybody’s Business” to a

Profession

Evolved From Scientific Investigation

American Social Science Assn (1865) spawned

Conference of Charities (1874) but met concurrently

1879 split from parent and began focus on practical work

1884 renamed National Conference of Charities and Corrections

Charity Work Evolved from Social Science

moved from theory and research to greater concern with methods and treatment

COS folks realized specific skills & knowledge needed to help people

COS and settlement house people concerned with education and training for social workers

Both groups were affiliated with National Conference of Charities and Corrections

Beginnings of Professional Social Work Education

Apprenticeship in social agencies was initial social work education

Attending National Conference supplemented apprenticeship

Informal lectures and reading lists were provided by agencies

People going into charity work took courses in the new field of sociology

Social work and sociology separated

Sociologists found social workers not sufficiently objective

Social workers thought sociology was not sufficiently applied or practical

Social workers saw their work related to other disciplines as well as sociology (law, economics, biology)

Call for Professional Social Work Education

Mary Richmond read paper calling for training school in applied philanthropy

New York Charity Organization Society founded 6 week summer school

Later expanded to one year program Became 2 year program in 1910 Later: Columbia University School of

Social Work

Other Schools

University of Chicago (Hull House) Boston Bryn Mawr

Curriculum

Initially stressed casework Chicago stressed research, policy and

administration Eventually move for university affiliation Need for involvement of other

disciplines and use of research to inform policy decisions

Field work under faculty direction, not just apprenticeship

Rise of Accreditation

Need for standards arose 1920 Association of Training Schools

of Professional Social Work 1952 became Council on Social

Work Education Required university affiliation 1935

Rise of Professional Journals

Proceedings of National Conference Fledgling publications became

Survey in 1907 Published until 1952, strongly

influenced development of profession

Emergence of Social Casework, Child Welfare, Social Service Review

Rise of Professional Organizations

1917 National Social Workers’ Exchange (employment bureau)

Opened membership to all interested 1921 became American Association of

Social Workers By 1955 had merged with others and

become NASW Other professional organizations

developed

1917 National Conference of Social Work

New name of National Conference of Charities and Corrections

State affiliates developed, and Alabama had one of the earliest

Alabama Conference of Social Work Continues to this day and meets in

each spring