Outcome Findings of an Undergraduate Certificate Program in Cultural Competency

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn 2010 a Midwestern School of Social Work developed a certificate program named “Critical Cultural Competence” to supplement existing coursework in support of culturally competent practice among graduating bachelor’s in social work (BSW) students. This certificate program was popular among social work students and was made available to undergraduate students across the university. Outcome findings from the first four cohorts of students who completed the certificate between 2012 and 2015 show that they made significant positive gains in their appreciation of differences among others and a greater desire to interact with others who are different from themselves. Both the coursework and the study-abroad experiences contributed to these significant differences. At the end of the two-year program, students better understood the meaning of cultural competence and the experience of it as a “journey” rather than a competency that can be achieved.