Racial Equity in Social Work Education: Experiences of Current and Former Students Serving on a Social Work Program’s Race Equity Work Team

ABSTRACT

The 2022 Education Policy and Accreditation Standards emphasize antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in social work curriculum. Social work programs across the nation are now tasked with addressing ADEI in both explicit and implicit curricula. This article aims to offer insights from a Race Equity Work Team (REWT) to enhance transparent conversations within the profession and support similar curriculum reviews. Using a collaborative process, the authors reflect on their experiences of working on a REWT and identify practices of ADEI that may benefit social work programs. They present recommendations for ADEI practices and report student qualitative responses collected on current curriculum. Implications for social work educators and higher education institutions committed to engaging in ADEI practices are also discussed.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bree A. Alexander

Bree A. Alexander is Clinical Assistant Professor and Interim BSW Program Coordinator at University of South Carolina.

Sabrina A. Carter

Sabrina A. Carter is Race & Equity Consultant/Social Worker at Baylor University.

Veronica L. Timbers

Veronica L. Timbers is Clinical Assistant Professor and MSW Online Program Assistant Program Coordinator at Boise State University.

Trinity Martinez

Trinity Martinez is Case Manager at Baylor University.