Preparing to work with Latinos: Latino-focused content in social work master’s degree programs

Abstract

ABSTRACTTo successfully integrate Latino immigrant populations in the United States, the Social Work Grand Challenges call for increased culturally responsive training in social work education. Nevertheless, professional programs of social work education have been slow to incorporate courses that prepare students to work with Latino communities. This study deploys content analysis to examine to what extent courses, concentrations, certificate programs, and mission statements of 262 Council on Social Work Education–accredited MSW programs integrate content specific to Latino populations. The study also investigated the rankings and practice specializations for those programs with Latino-focused content. The findings highlight a scarcity of Latino-focused content throughout the graduate social work programs.