The aim of this exploratory study was to assess whether practicing social workers currently enrolled in Master Social Work (MSW)
programs (hereafter referred to as MSW students) were more oriented to the evidence-based practice (EBP) process and more engaged in it
than practicing social workers who are not currently enrolled in MSW programs (hereafter referred to as social workers) in the Netherlands.
Data were collected from MSW students (n = 32) and from social workers (n = 341) using the EBP Process Assessment Scale. MSW
students reported a stronger orientation toward the EBP process, more positive attitudes toward EBP, more familiarity with EBP and
more intentions to engage in EBP than social workers did, however, they were less positive about the feasibility of implementing EBP in
practice. These preliminary results suggest that there are grounds for optimism about MSW students’ acceptance of and engagement in
the EBP process. Implications for social work education are discussed.