Mapping human sexuality in undergraduate social work curricula in Türkiye

OpenAlex İngilizce

This study examined how human sexuality is represented in undergraduate social work curricula in Türkiye. A total of 5,688 courses across 77 programs were reviewed through their 15-week syllabi registered in official information packages. Course data were collected using a structured question form on Google Forms, analyzed quantitatively in SPSS and qualitatively in MAXQDA. Courses were coded as directly or indirectly related to human sexuality, and their distribution, content, and integration pathways were examined. Findings showed that only 16.44% of programs offered a dedicated human sexuality course, all within the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) category, while 63.01% addressed related topics within broader courses—most often on gender or sexual abuse. Human sexuality content was most frequently integrated into health- and development-focused courses, whereas cultural, family, and rights-based courses provided more limited coverage. The SRH course, offered in only 12 programs, was predominantly framed through a biomedical and reproductive health lens. These results underscore the need for systematic integration of human sexuality into social work curricula, extending beyond biological aspects to encompass psychosocial, cultural, ethical, and social justice perspectives, and ensuring consistent coverage across courses.