Graduate Students’ Experience in an Interpersonal Violence Course
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18060/28902Keywords:
interpersonal violence, social work, graduate higher education, intimate partner violence, sexual violenceAbstract
The purpose of this descriptive case study was to explore the experiences of graduate students who participated in a newly designed elective social work course specifically focused on interpersonal violence content within the United States. Ten graduate students participated in this course and completed surveys before and after taking the course. Six of the 10 students participated in individual interviews at the conclusion of the course. Most students agreed that they would likely encounter interpersonal violence in social work and related practice sectors, and they reported overall increases in knowledge areas after completion of the course. Three primary themes were identified through qualitative analysis, including students reflecting on their responsibility as social workers, changes in knowledge, and action-oriented strategies. The findings indicate that interpersonal violence education may be an important mechanism for improving workforce preparedness and advancing the profession’s commitment to human rights and social justice. Expanding required interpersonal violence training within social work curricula could better equip future practitioners to support survivors. Implications in relation to the study’s pilot findings suggest that dedicated interpersonal violence coursework may enhance student preparedness and support the development of a more competent workforce equipped to respond to violence across practice settings.
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