The Development and Implementation of a Minority Recruitment Plan: Process, Strategy and Results

Seven strategies for facilitating access of nontraditional students to graduate education in social work

“…Weak academic performance produced during the undergraduate years may engender poor self-confidence that precludes application to a graduate program in social work. Mental health issues, disabilities, the absence of family support, and economic hardships can also form influential access barriers (Moxley et al, 1993;Oliver & Brown, 1988). Those working in agencies may feel that graduate education is not possible because of financial issues, the lack of mentoring, and family responsibilities.…”

Advocacy and Support for MSW Applicants Who do not Meet Admission Requirements

“…It does not, however, guarantee admission based on participation. In this manner, the school has been able to attract, prepare, and retain students many of whom are in the minority of the candidates for admission to the MSW program (Oliver & Brown, 1988).…”

“…These issues are tied to what students and candidates are experiencing in their other ''worlds'' including those of family, financial management, work and employment, health care, and mental health care (Oliver & Brown, 1988). Like other realms of practice, social workers offering the IEP will likely discover that the past and present educational lives of students are tied to other issues and these issues taken collectively influence their social functioning.…”

“…All of these applicants have undergraduate grade point averages of less than 2.6, lack undergraduate course preparation in key areas such as the social sciences, and experienced some pronounced barriers as undergraduates in the completion of good academic records. These barriers typically involve family issues, economic stress, or lack of focus and maturity early in a student's career, issues that can seriously compromise access to professional education (Oliver & Brown, 1988).…”

Afrocentricity

“…Discussions and debates have focused primarily on enhancing the presence of students and faculty of color, with a special emphasis on recruitment and retention (Blackwell, 1987(Blackwell, , 1988Carter & Wilson, 1994;Epps, 1989;Oliver & Brown, 1988;Pettigrew, 1991). In other words, cultural diversity has been conceptualized primarily as the diversification of racial characteristics of students and faculty.…”