Reflections on Post-graduate education in Social Work in Brazil through the staff profile

Abstract

Abstract This article addresses issues related to the staff of Post-Graduate programs in Social Work in Brazil. Initially, it traces a retrospective of Post-Graduate education in the country and describes the structure of Social Work in three moments: the initial period, through the 1970’s and 1980’s; the period of expansion, between 1990 and 2005; and the current period, between 2006 and 2016. It points out the impasses experienced by the first programs in relation to the lack of Doctors. Next, it presents the current profile of the professors who are part of Social Work programs. Data were obtained from CAPES, Geocapes and program reports, and analyzed through descriptive statistical analysis and content analysis. In conclusion, it evidences a growing tendency towards qualification and a marked expansion of the number of teaching staff after the year 2000. The growth of doctoral courses is noteworthy, however, the relation between teaching staff and students did not change significantly in percentage terms.