Activism Before and After Graduate Education: Perspectives From Three Cohorts of MSW Students

This study analyzes the self-reported participation of three cohorts of students' activism activities before, during, and anticipated involvement after attending a graduate social work program during the first decade of the 21st century. Given the turbulent domestic and global context of that decade, this study provides insights into whether and how background characteristics affect beginning and ending students' experiences with activism, and whether and how they anticipate using different activism strategies to effect change in the future. Actual and anticipated activism was more prevalent for those who selected the community organizing practice method, had a radical political affiliation, and identified as a sexual minority. There were very few racial or gender differences and no age differences.