Name: White Supremacy, White Privilege, Racism & Oppression in Social Work
Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

How to explain the origins and ongoing functions of whiteness, white supremacy, and white privilege, and why these systems were built and how they are maintained.
How to identify how racism and white supremacy are embedded in social work's history, laws, policies, and dominant professional norms.
How to recognize how social control has operated and continues to operate through social work institutions and practice.
How to critically examine the limitations of cultural competence as a framework and articulate what working toward social change actually requires.
How to integrate course concepts into your own practice through critical reflection and intentional action at the individual, community, and institutional level.

Use the Implications for Practice frameworks from each module to identify specific ways white supremacy shows up in your current work setting.
Apply a sociopolitical lens to your assessment process, moving beyond individual factors to examine systemic and structural influences on your clients' lives.
Engage in critical self-reflection about your own positionality and how it shapes your practice.
Identify concrete points of intervention at the individual, community, and institutional levels.
Use course concepts to challenge whitewashed narratives in supervision, team meetings, and professional settings.

Licensed social worker in Indiana and Tennessee
Educator specializing in trauma, racial justice, and identity exploration
Advocates for equity in mental health
Focuses on dismantling oppressive systems in healthcare
Guides clinicians toward inclusive, liberation-focused practices
Known for engaging workshops that inspire reflection, accountability, and transformation

Licensed clinical social worker and educator
Founder of Doin’ The Work
Over 20 years of experience in clinical practice and social work education
Holds a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University
Professional background across schools, nonprofits, and universities
Maintains a private therapy practice
Host and producer of the Doin’ The Work podcast, highlighting social workers advancing social change

“I literally learned more in the courses I took with Doin’ The Work than I did in my university’s American & Social Work history class. They offer ENGAGING content that centers the lived experiences of marginalized identities while providing practical tools on how to engage in social justice, resistance & liberation in daily Social Work practice. Being able to learn from Shimon and Charla has forced me to explore and commit to concrete ways of living that authentically reflect activism, scholarship & solidarity in my community. If you have the opportunity to engage with these courses, I highly recommend it to you.”

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, participants examine the systems of whiteness, white supremacy, and white privilege/advantage, with a focus on how and why they were created, how they are maintained, and the impact they continue to have today. We explore how white supremacy and racism are embedded in social work's history and current practices, including through laws, policies, and dominant norms. The course challenges the concept of cultural competence and emphasizes working toward social change rather than social control. A range of learning methods are used to connect theory with action across individual, community, and institutional practice.

Level: Intermediate

Format: Recorded, Asynchronous Distance Learning

Interactivity: This is a recorded, self-paced (noninteractive) distance-learning course.

Target Audience: Social workers, therapists, counselors, educators, advocates, and other human service professionals.

Originally recorded: April 1, 2026

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

Examine concepts, theories, and definitions of whiteness, white supremacy, and white privilege/advantage.
Identify the reasons these systems were created; how they were in embedded in laws, policies, and dominant cultural norms; and how they are maintained.
Examine how racism and white supremacy show up in social work, both historically and in present-day practices, including whitewashed history, family separation, internment, surveillance, social control, and discrimination.
Integrate course concepts into their own social work practice through critical reflection and intentional action.

COURSE COMPLETION & CE INFORMATION

CE Credit: 6.0 continuing education credits (6 hours) for social workers

Doin’ The Work LLC, provider #2355, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 04/18/2026–04/18/2029. Social workers completing this course receive 6.0 cultural competence continuing education credits.

To receive CE credit, social workers must:

Complete the entire course.
Pass the posttest with a score of 80% (unlimited attempts).
Complete the course evaluation.

Certificate of Completion:

Certificates are issued immediately upon passing the posttest and completing the course evaluation. Certificates can be downloaded as a PDF or shared to LinkedIn using LearnWorlds’ built-in sharing options.

POLICIES, ACCESSIBILITY & SUPPORT

Refund Policy

We work hard to create high-quality, meaningful continuing education. Because this is a recorded, self-paced digital course with immediate access to all materials, all sales are final.

That said, we want you to have a great learning experience. We’ve never had anyone request a refund, and most learners tell us the course is impactful and directly useful in their practice. If you have any concerns or issues with the course, please contact us at support@dointhework.com — we’re here to help.

Accessibility Accommodations

If you require disability-related accommodations to access or complete this course, please contact support@dointhework.com. We are committed to supporting accessible participation.

System Requirements

A reliable internet connection and an updated web browser are required. Courses can be accessed on desktop or mobile devices.

Support & Grievances

For questions, concerns, or formal grievances about this course, please email support@dointhework.com. We will respond as promptly as possible.

Doin' The Work LLC
Committed to inclusive, anti-oppressive
education and practice.

White Supremacy, White Privilege, Racism, & Oppression in Social Work

Watch a short excerpt from this course

6.0 CE CREDITS

6 HOURS

SELF-PACED

LIFETIME ACCESS

What You'll Learn

Practical Strategies You'll Be Able to Use Immediately

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