Diversity Initiative
M.S.W. Program
Diversity at the School of Social Work
The School of Social Work welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and has embraced the challenge of preparing all students to serve our increasingly diverse communities. We are striving to increase the diversity of our faculty and staff and to recruit and educate a diverse student body. To support these goals, we have the following activities and initiatives in process:
Cultural Competence and Diversity Council
The Council is made up of faculty members, social workers, and community partners. The Council has a mission to promote cultural competency, diversity, and social justice in the practice of social work through collaboration between the School of Social Work and the community.
The Council is currently developing a cultural audit to examine the School’s existing assets and needed resources to support the School’s preparedness to meet the community’s needs for culturally competent social work professionals. For more information, contact Ted Donlan, Assistant Professor.
Diversity Outreach
The Recruitment and Retention Specialist, Bahia Overton, reaches out to diverse community members interested in careers in social work to support them through the application process and to promote their success in the MSW Program. To support student success, Bahia meets regularly with students, provides information and connections with resources, arranges regular meetings with the Dean of the School of Social Work, and debriefs with students at the end of the year, so that the School may learn from their experiences and improve our outreach and support program. Contact information: Bahia Overton, Email or phone: 725-8005.
Coursework
Students take a required course in Diversity and Social Justice in their first term in the MSW Program that explores diversity and oppression based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, (dis)ability status, and social class. This course also examines inter-group relations, the historical context of group relations, and cultural variables significant to ethnic, racial, and cultural intra-group relations. Class sessions include opportunities class for cross-cultural dialogue and skill development.
All course work in the MSW Program includes content that helps students
to understand the challenges facing people in diverse communities
and to develop skills for culturally appropriate practice. Each year
there are elective courses that address the needs of specific populations.
Field Education
The Field Education team arranges field placements in agencies providing culturally specific services and in agencies that serve specific racial and ethnic communities. Additionally, many agencies that provide field placements are actively reaching out to serve diverse groups within their areas. These field placements provide rich opportunities for gaining the skills to work with our increasingly diverse and often underserved populations.
Special Initiatives
International Partnership to Study Health Care Needs of Oregon Migrant Workers
Research Projects
Many of the research projects within the Regional Research Institute are designed to improveservices for specific underserved and diverse populations. More.
University Resources
Portland State University has a number of departments, organizations, and student groups to raise awareness and provide information about the needs of diverse communities, as well as to provide support and connections with faculty, staff, and other students. The list below includes some links and there are more on the PSU main website.
