Introduction to Social Work: The People's Profession

Recognized as the best text for Introduction to Social Work courses, this third edition of Colby and Dziegielewski's classic text is an engaging introduction to the social work profession, designed for students interested in social work but uncertain of the nature of the profession. The authors are guided by three questions: Who are social workers? What is it that social workers do? How is the social work profession changing? The authors effectively communicate their own passion and enthusiasm for social work while realistically portraying the pressures and obstacles that social workers face. Unique profiles of contemporary social workers provide insight into their lives and the profession. The authors informal tone also prompts student self-reflection about his or her role as a social worker. The new edition has been redesigned around the 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards for social work education and Code of Ethics information, including topics ranging from traditional agency-based practice to less conventional settings such as political and international social work.

Ira Colby (PhD, University of Pennsylvania; MSW, Virginia Commonwealth University) is Dean of the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Houston. He is widely published and has presented papers at state, national, and international meetings and forums and is currently president of CSWE.


Sophia F. Dziegielewski (PhD; MSW, Florida State University) is professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Central Florida. Professor Dziegielewski has been noted in Social Worker Today for her work in the field. She has over 120 publications and lectures widely across the United States.