Preparing BSWs for Ethical Practice

Abstract

A continuing challenge for BSW educators is to adapt ethics education to the changing environment of the social work profession and to prepare graduates for ethical challenges they face. Yet, little research has explored the ethical challenges specific to BSW level practice. This article examines ethics complaints submitted to a state licensing board over a nine year period, and comparisons were made between BSW and MSW licensees. The most frequently reported violations for BSW were related to poor practice, boundary issues, and honesty. The authors indicate that we are generally doing a good job of ethics education and suggest ways in which we may improve ethics education for baccalaureate social work.