Curriculum often focuses on increasing the awareness about and sensitivity to diversity as well as skills in treating clients from varying racial and cultural backgrounds.
Although most schools offer a single course on multiculturalism, other models that integrate diversity throughout the training curricula also exist. Generally, these courses help students dispel their assumptions about people of other racial and cultural backgrounds. In the September 22, 2003, issue of the "Journal of Counseling and Development," Kim and Lyons argue that interactive exercises may be the best method for learning about diversity for counselors.
Some controversy exists regarding the need for diversity training with students who are racial or ethnic minorities. According to Derek X. Seward of the University of Rochester, some believe that racial minority students do not need to explore the same issues as their white peers; however, it is also possible that these students have their own unique biases that may be explored in such a course.