Centering Social Justice in Counselor Education: How Student Perspectives Can Help

Centering Social Justice in Counselor Education: How Student Perspectives Can Help This mixed methods program evaluation study was designed to assist faculty in better understanding students' multicultural and social justice training experiences, with the goal of improving program curriculum and instruction.It also offers a model for counselor educators to assess student experiences and to make changes that center social justice.A total of 139 first-semester students and advanced practicum students responded to an online survey.The Consensual Qualitative Research-Modified (CQR-M) method was used to analyze brief written narratives.The Multicultural Counseling Competence and Training Survey (MCCTS) and the Advocacy Competencies Self-Assessment Survey (ACSA) were used to triangulate the qualitative data.Qualitative findings revealed student growth in awareness, knowledge, skills, and action, particularly for advanced students, with many students reporting a desire for more social justice instruction.Some students of color reported microaggressions and concerns that training centers White students.Quantitative analyses generally supported the qualitative findings and showed advanced students reporting higher multicultural and advocacy competencies compared to beginning students.Implications for counselor education are discussed.