AIDS-related training in U.S. schools of social work

This article presents the results of a survey of 70 master of social work (MSW) programs to determine the extent and manner in which educational curricula include instruction on acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Most programs offer students training in foundation areas pertinent to AIDS, including health and mental health systems, practice with racial and ethnic minorities, and substance abuse prevention and treatment. However, over 40 percent of programs provide no training in such key areas as human sexuality and primary prevention. Less than 15 percent of programs offer courses specific to AIDS, although a third of programs have incorporated AIDS content into other courses. Between 20 percent and 30 percent of MSW programs offer little or no attention to AIDS in their curricula. Implications of these findings are discussed.