Current trends in academic social work training -- a narrative review

Radu-Mihai Dumitrescu; Adrian-Nicolae Dan

doi:10.35782/JCPP.2025.1.05

Radu-Mihai Dumitrescu Associate Professor, MD PhD, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest, Medicover Romania
Adrian-Nicolae Dan Associate Professor, PhD, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest, 050107 Bucharest, Romania

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35782/JCPP.2025.1.05

Keywords: social work education, new trends, curriculum, interdisciplinary approach, innovation, digitisation, social responsibility

Abstract

Undergraduate social work education is evolving through the integration of social responsibility, holistic student support, educational partnerships and the use of digital technologies. Programmes emphasise social justice and a culture of non-violence, ensuring adequate professional and ethical training. Psychological and social support becomes a priority for student success, and collaboration with employers and alumni helps improve training. The digitalisation of education, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, offers new opportunities for teaching and learning. Review-type analyses can provide insight into current trends in university training programmes. The present research, although limited in scope, manages to identify a number of key directions for academic training in social work.