Social Work: profession and science. Contributions to the scientific debate in the social sciences

Abstract

This article is intended to reflect the «Social Work» as an area of knowledge of the Social and Human Sciences in the framework of the organization of higher education in accordance with the guidelines of the Bologna Declaration. The unit of analysis is Social Work in Portugal. We address issues related to the academic debate on the scientific dimension of social work within the Social sciences, illustrating some significant affirmation milestones of Portuguese Social Work. We reflect on the principles and values that must accompany the contemporary scientific debate in terms of research, education and social work profession. We emphasize the importance of the Ph. D. degree in Social Work in the academic field but we also reflect on its consequences in the profession. We end up with a set of reflective perspectives on social work today, challenging the academy to formulate a new commitment between the University and the Social Organizations, strengthening and enhancing training through a supervised internship.