CHARACTERISTICS OF EXCELLENCE IN SOCIAL-WORK EDUCATION

The author defines and explains a set of 14 characteristics of excellence to assist schools that wish to develop measures of excellence and to conduct an excellence assessment process. The characteristics of excellence were developed in focus group research used in undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctive and practical aspects of excellence are explained in relation to educational organizations and the accreditation process, and serve as the philosophical distinctions that guided group efforts. Seven excellence characteristics relate to distinctive aspects of educational programs, and seven relate to the practical aspects of program functioning.