No Sex in Social Work: (the Lack of) Human Sexuality Courses in US Social Work Education

This research examined all social work programs in the USA to determine if free-standing human sexuality courses were required or offered. Human sexuality is both a human right and an integral part of our individual and collective identity and well-being. Human sexuality covers a wide range of content areas, defining our species and how we inhabit the world across generations and lifespans. Beginning in the 1990s, the focus on human sexuality in social work education diminished but seems to be experiencing a resurgence in interest. Using web addresses listed on the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) website, the websites of all accredited social work programs were reviewed, with focus on study plans and course descriptions. Out of 497 BSW programs and 295 MSW programs, three undergraduate social work programs and no master’s social work programs required a free-standing course in human sexuality. However, 34 BSW programs and 23 MSW programs offer a free-standing course in human sexuality as an elective social work course.