Student Attitudes Toward Religious Diversity and Implications for Multicultural Competence

Abstract

In this article we present the findings from a survey of Master of Social Work (MSW) students regarding their attitudes toward religion in social work practice and their feelings of competence when working with clients who are Muslim. Our findings indicated that some students are uncomfortable working with Muslim groups. Interestingly, those students who are minority and non-Christian appear to identify with other oppressed groups and expressed attitudes of greater comfort and tolerance than their White and Christian counterparts. This suggests a need for a more comprehensive view of multicultural practice in social work education perhaps with a focus on cultural humility.

KEYWORDS:

• multicultural
• Muslim
• religion
• cultural competence
• cultural humility