Seeing the Same Thing Differently: Program Director, Faculty, and Student Perceptions of MSW LGBT Competence

ABSTRACT

This exploratory study examined MSW education’s organizational-level lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) competence. Data were gathered from a sample of MSW program directors, faculty members, and students (N=1385) from 34 MSW programs in the United States. Hierarchical linear modeling analyzed differences in perceptions of organizational LGBT competence between MSW programs and among participants in the same program. Results showed organizational LGBT competence varied significantly among MSW programs and indicated program directors, faculty members, and students had different perceptions of the competence of their shared program. Specifically, directors rated the LGBT competence of their program higher than faculty, and faculty rated their program higher than students did. Implications for research and suggestions for social work education are discussed.

Notes

1. The original SOGE questionnaire was part of the CSWE-Lambda Legal Study of LGBT Issues in Social Work, and was funded by a grant from the Out of Home Youth Fund of the Tides Foundation (Martin et al., 2009). The modified SOGE survey used in this study is reprinted in the Appendix with permission.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David McCarty-Caplan

David McCarty-Caplan is an assistant professor of social work at California State University, Northridge.