The factors affecting curriculum design of social work degree programs in Mainland China: Accounts of social work educators

Abstract

This study aims to fill the research gaps on the general and specific socio-cultural factors that influence social work curriculum design in Mainland China through semi-structured telephone interviews with 23 social work educators in 23 cities across different Chinese regions. They reveal the factors that influence the curriculum and measures that could be used to improve the existing curriculum for positive impacts. An influence map is proposed which provides the groundwork for further developments in social work education in Mainland China. This study also alerts social work educators to the importance of flexibility in adapting social work curricula to societal needs.