The Effect of Anti-DEI Policy on Social Work Practicum Education

Practicum is the signature pedagogy in social work education. In practicum, students develop nine social work competencies, including two related to antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI). In early 2025, the president issued executive orders (EOs) against DEI. Little is known about how the orders affect student practicum experiences. This descriptive study explored practicum supervisors’ (N=242) experiences with the EOs, including the ways that the orders changed agency practice and work with social work students. Of the practicum supervisors, 40.1% reported the EOs changed the work at their agency. There was no significant relationship between effect and state political leaning, gender, or race. Using descriptive coding, three themes about this effect were identified: minimal or no effect (n=96), increased work demands (n=74), and DEI work stopped (n=49). A fourth category focused on commitment to DEI (n=69). The current anti-DEI movement creates rapid and unprecedented experiences and concerns for supervisors and students, with variable effect across placement settings. Some settings have stopped or hidden DEI work; others are deeply committed to DEI work, regardless of the EOs. Implications for schools of social work are discussed, as all students are expected to develop ADEI competencies.