Graduation Semester and Year
Summer 2025
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Social Work
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Marcela Nava
Second Advisor
D'Ann Roper
Third Advisor
Micki Washburn
Abstract
This scoping review examines the current state of experiential learning methodologies used to increase self-awareness among undergraduate social work students. While the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) emphasizes self-awareness as a core professional competency, the literature reveals a notable lack of a standardized, field-wide definition and a reliance on fragmented pedagogical approaches. This Review systematically analyzed nine empirical studies, mapping the key characteristics, theoretical frameworks, and teaching methods. The findings indicate that most studies used qualitative or mixed-methods designs, with a majority relying on Kolb’s and Dewey’s experiential learning theories to bridge the gap between classroom theory and professional practice. However, a critical research gap was identified: none of the studies provided a rigorous, evidence-based methodology or a validated tool for teaching or measuring self-awareness directly. The evidence collected, such as reflections and debriefings, captured self-awareness as a byproduct of the learning process rather than a target outcome. Furthermore, all reviewed experiential learning activities were conducted in person, raising questions about their adaptability to a virtual environment. This review underscores the urgent need for a standardized approach and the development of a malleable, rigorous tool for social work educators to effectively and ethically facilitate student self-awareness, ensuring the profession remains prepared for a dynamic socio-political landscape.
Keywords
Experiential learning, Field education, Undergraduate students, Social work students, BSW students, Self-awarenes, Competence, Empathy, Curriculum
Disciplines
Social Work
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Goff, Georgianna E., "From Insight to Experience Mapping Experiential Approaches to Cultivating Self-Awareness in Undergraduate Social Work Curricula" (2025). Social Work Theses. 217.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/socialwork_theses/217