Investigating Diversity in Social Work Doctoral Education in the United States

ABSTRACT

Despite its emphasis on social justice, social work in the United States has not always attended to issues of diversity in doctoral education. This article examines the state of the discipline’s research on traditionally underrepresented students in U.S. doctoral social work programs. An analysis of relevant peer-reviewed articles from social work journals revealed that this research has focused on demographic trends, degree motivation, student barriers, existing supports, and career navigation. Diversity in U.S. doctoral social work education is vastly understudied with the majority of scholarship focusing on ethnoracial difference. The limitations of this study are discussed, and future research directions are proposed including the need to examine various kinds of social differences and a wider range of support initiatives.

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Notes on contributors

Matthew Chin

Matthew Chin is an Assistant Professor at Fordham University, Jaclynn Hawkins is an Assistant Professor at University of Michigan, Amy Krings is an Assistant Professor at Loyola University Chicago, Carolyn Peguero-Spencer is a doctoral student at Fordham University, and Lorraine Gutiérrez is Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program; and Professor of Social Work, School of Social Work, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Professor of Psychology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michigan.