ABSTRACT The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the potential of virtual reality (VR) simulations for use as an effective learning modality for social work education. At a public college in a large U.S. Northeastern city with a mostly self-identified non-White student body, 19 respondents, including five BA and seven MSW social work students, as well as seven graduated former MSW students, participated in one of three focus groups in which they shared their thoughts and feelings regarding two VR simulations they experienced. One of the VR applications concerned racism and the other homelessness. The study found that VR has the ability to be an immersive and immediate experience that arouses intense emotional reactions in participants, thereby enhancing their empathy toward the individuals portrayed in the simulations and increasing participants’ motivation to participate in social action. The respondents overwhelmingly expressed that VR should be integrated into social work education, but that the emotional intensity it engenders creates the need for careful pre-briefing and debriefing. Issues of physical discomfort for some participants during the simulations need to be addressed as well.