Exploring the Experiences of Male MSW Students in the Social Work Learning Environment

ABSTRACT

Male social workers make up a small portion of the profession’s workforce and little is known about the experiences of male students during social work education. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of male MSW students in the social work learning environment. Using a transcendental phenomenological approach, 22 individual interviews with current cisgender male MSW students were conducted and the transcripts analyzed. Five themes arose from data analysis: standing out, treated differently, typecasting, impacted engagement, and developing new awareness and taking action. Findings suggest that male MSW students have unique experiences in the learning environment that are supported by the notion of social role theory.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a Simmons University Student Research Fund Award.

Notes on contributors

Kyle T. Ganson

Kyle T. Ganson, PhD, MSW, is a recent graduate of the Simmons University School of Social Work doctoral program and will be starting as an assistant professor at the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work in summer 2020.

Paul Gould

Paul Gould, PhD, LICSW, is an assistant professor at Simmons University School of Social Work.

Rachael Holcomb

Rachael Holcomb, MSW, LCSW, is a clinician at the Safe at Home program of the Home for Little Wanderers.