Evidence-based continuing education designed to strengthen culturally responsive clinical practice with diverse populations.

🕒 1.5 Cultural Competence Continuing Education (CE) Credit Hours ⭐Pending ASWB ACE Approval

Self-Paced Online reading | Journal Article | Course Evaluation | Certificate of Completion

Appropriate for:
Licensed Master Level Social Workers (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced)

Course Description

This continuing education course explores the social identity development and psychological experiences of mixed‑race individuals through an international lens. The course examines how demographic shifts have contributed to rising mixed‑race populations and increasingly complex identity landscapes. Participants will learn how mixed‑race identity formation differs from monoracial identity development, with particular attention to racial ambiguity, external labeling, and the ways others’ perceptions shape self‑concept, emotions, and behavior. The course integrates empirical findings from mixed‑race individuals in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom to illuminate the multidimensional nature of mixed‑race identity and its implications for clinical practice.

Course Objectives

Upon completion, participants will be able to analyze how cultural, familial, and societal influences shape identity formation and psychological outcomes for mixed‑race individuals (MRI). Clinicians will gain the ability to integrate MRI concepts into practice by recognizing identity‑related stressors, supporting clients’ navigation of racial ambiguity, and fostering environments that affirm complex racial identities. The course will equip social workers with evidence‑based insights that enhance cultural competence and strengthen their ability to serve diverse, multiracial populations across varied national and cultural contexts.

Learning Objectives

Learners will deepen their understanding of the multidimensional mixed‑race identity (MRI) framework and the factors that influence identity development. Participants will examine how mixed‑race identity relates to collective self‑esteem, life satisfaction, and key beliefs about belonging, authenticity, and social acceptance. The course will also highlight the psychological challenges mixed‑race individuals may face—such as negotiating multiple identities —and how these experiences differ across national contexts. By the end of the course, learners will be able to articulate the theoretical foundations of MRI and apply them to culturally responsive assessment and intervention.