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AREAS
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EMPLOYERS
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DESCRIPTIONS/STRATEGIES
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Public Welfare
Administration and Planning
Case Management
Program Evaluation
Policy Setting
Research
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Public Welfare Agencies
Private Social Service Agencies
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Public Welfare is designed to provide services and support for poor,
disabled, ill, elderly, or juvenile clients.
Volunteer at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, battered women homes, literacy
programs, or other social service agencies to get experience.
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Criminal Justice/ Corrections
Counseling/Therapy Rehabilitation
Probation
Parole
Youth Services
Victim Assistance
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Prisons and Correctional Facilities
Courts
Police Departments
Probation Offices
Victim Services
Organizations
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Social Workers in corrections focus on rehabilitation of clients.
Obtain experience by volunteering at a corrections facility or victims program
such as a rape crisis center
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School Social Work
Clinical Social Work
Pupil Personnel Services
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Elementary and Secondary Schools
School Districts
Head Start
Early Intervention Programs
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School systems may employ social workers to help students cope with/resolve
emotional, developmental, or educational difficulties.
Gain experience with children at daycare centers, camps, or Scouts.
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Child Welfare
Case Management
Advocacy
Intervention
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Public/Private Child Welfare Agencies Adoption Agencies
Foster Care Organizations
Child Daycare
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Child welfare
social workers strive to ensure the safety and well-being of children through
treatment of the whole family.
Volunteer at daycares, child shelters, camps, YMCA, Scouts, or other agencies
that aid youth.
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Gerontology
Advocacy/Intervention
Counseling
Case Management
Programming
Public Policy
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Hospitals
Nursing Homes
Senior Centers
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Gerontology
involves working with older adults, healthy or ill, and their families.
Get involved with programs/organizations designed for senior citizens.
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Clinical
Counseling
Therapy
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Community Mental Health Centers
Psychiatric Hospitals
Residential and Day Treatment Hospitals
Employment Assistance Programs
Schools
Family Service Agencies
Private Practice
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Clinical social
workers are found in a variety of settings that provide therapeutic counseling
to clients.
MSW is required.
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Administration
Management
Policy Development
Planning
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Family Service Agencies
Child Welfare Departments
Social Service Agencies
State Mental Health Departments
Employee Assistance Programs
Probation Departments
Public Welfare Agencies
Public Interest Groups
Local, State, and Federal Government
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Administrators are involved with planning,
budgeting, public relations, operations management, fund raising and other
crucial responsibilities that keep an organization functioning.
Obtain an MSW and gain management experience.
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Research and Education
Research
Teaching
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Colleges and Universities
Research Institutes
Local, State and Federal Government
Advocacy Organizations
Colleges and Universities
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Research provides
data and statistics important in program implementation and policy
development.
DSW or Ph.D. usually required.
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Occupational Counseling
Educating
Wellness Promotion
Employee Assistance
Organizational Development
Human Resources
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Businesses
Corporations
Employee Assistance Programs
Labor Unions
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Occupational
social workers help employees to be more productive and satisfied.
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Developmental Disabilities
Case Management
Program Planning and
Evaluation
Research
Policy Development
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Community Group
Homes
State and Local Agencies
Medical Facilities
Schools
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Social workers in this area help people with disabilities to adjust and to
lead productive lives.
Volunteer at special needs camps, daycares, schools or hospitals to gain
experience.
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Health Care Case Management
Program Planning
and Evaluation
Counseling
Program Development
Administration
Research
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Hospitals
Community Health Centers
Outpatient Clinics
Public Health Programs
Health Maintenance Organizations
Nursing Homes
Group Homes
Hospice
Veterans Administration Hospitals
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Social workers in health care facilitate medical
and emotional treatment of patients.
Choose volunteer settings such as hospitals, the American Red Cross, or AIDS
agencies to get experience.
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Community Organization
Program Development
Community Development Advocacy
Politics
Education
Planning
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Advocacy Organizations
Development Corporations
Community Centers
Local, State, Federal Government
Associations
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Social workers in this area work with existing organizations to improve
conditions for specific groups, enhance quality of living, and involve
community members in the political process.
Get involved with grassroots causes and community agencies.
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General Information
1. Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) prepares
individuals for entry-level direct practice.
2. Master of Social Work (MSW) is necessary
to provide therapy and for advancement to supervisory and administrative
positions.
3. Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) or Ph.D.
usually required for positions in teaching, research, and administration.
Desirable for some clinical positions and private practice.
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Must complete a degree
from a college or university program accredited by the Council on Social Work
Education. Programs include practical field experience.
5. Most states require licensure,
certification or registration
6. The field practicum is used to determine
suitability for this profession and to provide exposure to various practice
settings/clients.
7. Candidates should
possess empathy for others, an appreciation for diversity and an interest in
social change.
8. Social workers serve a range of client
systems (individuals, families, groups, and communities) as they attempt to
enhance social functioning.
9. Social work is unique given its dual focus
on the person and the environment.
Note: A large amount of this information was adapted from Choices:
Careers in Social Work by the National Association of Social Workers
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