Evaluation and Research
CalSWEC Data Sets |
| California MSW Student Survey Data (1991-2004) |
Description
From 1991 to 2004 CalSWEC administered surveys to all MSW students (not just those interested in public child welfare) in the state’s accredited MSW programs, at the time of entrance to and at graduation from the program. The data were intended to provide a comparison group for the public child welfare students.
Instruments
The first full class of Title IV-E public child welfare students graduated in 1996. Each year the surveys were administered, CalSWEC provided participating schools a report on its own students.
The Entering Student Survey was last administered in 2000. Beginning fall 2001, the administration of the surveys was left to the discretion of individual participating schools.
The Graduation Survey was last administered in 2004 to a small group of part-time students who began their MSW programs in 2000.
Variables
Students were surveyed about their career interests in many fields, populations of interest, and theories and beliefs about poverty, and reasons for choosing social work as a careerSureys were administered both before and after attending graduate school.
Data are not limited to students interested in child welfare but also include those interested in gerontology, health, mental health, school social work, and administrative/policy practice.
Three data sets are available: Entering students (N = 8871), Graduating students (N = 6194), Matched-pairs entry/graduation (N = 2213).
Publications
Much of the data has been examined, including analyses of the relationships between field of practice interests, career interests, commitment to child welfare, and attitudes toward poverty. Masters and doctoral students have used the data from the surveys to complete theses and dissertations.