This study presents the origins and development of social work education in Puerto Rico from 1920 to 1980. It identifies through a historical study: (1) major political, economic and cultural forces which have affected the origins and development of social work education in Puerto Rico; (2) the philosophy guiding the educational endeavor, and (3) the present focus of social work education. It discusses the close relationships between social work education and the social welfare system, the nature and structure of sponsoring agencies, the nature of social work practice, manpower needs and professional organizations The methodological procedures of the study consisted of a selective search, recording, and organization of data from primary and secondary sources. It also included a series of interviews with social work educators to gather information from their perspective about the events being studied. Additionally a review of relevant social work literature was undertaken The findings pointed out the need to determine the differential levels of training between graduate and undergraduate programs and to determine the functions and tasks of the practitioner at the various social work educational levels
