HIV/AIDS Course Content in CSWE-Accredited Social Work Programs: A Survey of Current Curricular Practices, Diana Rowan and Jeffrey Shears, Journal of Teaching in Social Work (2011)

Despite increasing numbers of people with HIV and AIDS, and the knowledge that many at-risk populations face greater HIV infection rates, there is a gap in social worker knowledge surrounding HIV. The authors of this journal article sought to review all 650 bachelor and master of social work programs, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, to assess the degree to which the programs included content on HIV and AIDS. Of the 153 programs that responded, including 44 masters programs, only two reported they do not cover any HIV/AIDS content. The rest report some form of coverage related to HIV. Bachelor programs were more likely to cover HIV-specific content in foundation courses, while masters programs more often had an HIV-specific elective course available. Content was most commonly delivered in the form of assigned readings and classroom lectures. The authors also evaluated social work practice textbooks for content related to HIV and found that the most commonly used texts do not offer any information on working with people affected by HIV. 

Limits to the study included a low response rate and the risk of respondents having a lack of familiarity with course content. The populations most affected by HIV are already at risk for discrimination based on other demographics such as sexual orientation and race/ethnicity. As social workers are trained to work with marginalized and disenfranchised populations, the authors recommend a greater emphasis on educating future social workers to identify and address the needs of people affected by HIV.