Policy practice discourse and scholarship in social work : a Canadian graduate student perspective

The underdevelopment of policy practice competencies in social work students as they enter the labor market is detrimental to the future of social work as a profession, social services, and social policy, it also contributes to systemic malpractice in the field. Therefore, improving areas regarding policy practice and scholarship for future social work students is critical. This thematic literature review aims to contribute to the broader macro social work discourse through focusing on the area of policy practice from a Canadian Master of Social Work (MSW) student perspective. More specifically, this review will recapture the historical development of the field of social work, locate policy practice within the field of social work, and suggest areas for assessment in accredited education programs.