Social Work Careers: Entry-Level Jobs and Clinical Roles

Social and human service assistants help people get the services they need, such as counseling, rehab, and social support. They work under professionals like social workers and assist clients in areas such as child welfare, elder care, disabilities, addiction, mental health, and housing.

You usually need a high school diploma and some on-the-job training to become a social and human service assistant, though some employers may require an associate degree. Some roles may also require a background check and a driver’s license. Training helps you learn to work with clients from different backgrounds and manage various needs.

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists work at the intersection between social work and criminal justice. They help facilitate rehabilitation for offenders in compliance with the legal system. Common responsibilities include parole or probation evaluation, drug testing and substance abuse counseling, and criminal investigation. They may also be asked to serve as expert witnesses in court.

A bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, or behavioral health can get you started on this career path. You must also pass aptitude tests, drug evaluations, and a criminal background check for this career. Depending on the job, you may need to complete an additional training program offered by your employer.

These professionals coordinate and implement programs to encourage individual and public welfare. Common programs and services include subsidized food and housing, job training, and public health initiatives. Aspiring social and community services managers need a bachelor’s degree in social work, public administration, or another related discipline. Some positions require graduate-level credentials.

In this role, you work closely with case managers, counselors, and other social services experts. At times, you act as a liaison between your employer, key funding partners, and the general public, necessitating strong management and interpersonal skills. You can expect to work full-time in office settings within clinics, nonprofits, and municipal entities.

A non-clinical social worker typically focuses on community-level program development or administrative roles within social work agencies. Rather than working with individuals’ health, they address broader systemic or organizational needs. Some non-clinical social workers, known as macro social workers, may also get involved in policy advocacy.

A BSW is the typical degree requirement for entry-level non-clinical jobs. BSW programs cover topics like human behavior, social policy, ethics, and working with different groups. You must also complete supervised fieldwork or an internship.

Depending on their setting and context, social work educators might teach aspiring social work students, conduct original research, or both. Most work as professors in postsecondary institutions, holding at least a master’s degree, though universities typically require a doctorate. Daily duties include curriculum assessment, lecture preparation, and student performance evaluation.

Social work teachers work full-time throughout the academic year. As a professor, you need strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. In some situations, you may devote a significant portion of your time to quantitative research or administrative duties on behalf of your school or department.

Clinical social workers offer direct care services, helping groups or individuals adjust to new lifestyles and manage their mental health while they undergo medication or treatment plans. This subfield can also include social work jobs in mental health and substance abuse.

Though some work in private practice, most social workers assume full-time roles in nonprofits, hospitals, physicians’ offices, outpatient clinics, and treatment centers. To become a clinical social worker, you need a master’s degree in social work and state-level licensure. Some positions may only require a BSW, but those roles require supervision with limited responsibility.

These professionals focus on the needs of the elderly population. This means helping individuals and their families cope with challenges associated with aging: financial issues, new medications, mobility and social functioning, dementia, and mental health. As a social worker in this area, you can expect to work in senior centers, nursing facilities, and retirement homes.

School social workers provide social services within schools and other educational environments. They often focus on exceptional learners or students who need individual education plans.

As a school social worker, you work alongside teachers, counselors, and other school administrators to improve learning outcomes. Depending on your focus and credentials, you may also offer mental health or direct one-to-one counseling for students and their families.

Substance use social workers help clients with drug addiction, alcoholism, and other dependency issues. They evaluate needs, diagnose disorders, and help clients develop constructive behaviors to overcome addiction. They may also make referrals and use talk therapy to help clients build healthier behaviors or modify existing ones.

Most substance abuse social workers hold a master’s degree in counseling or social work, though a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for entry-level, non-clinical positions in certain states. Additional requirements include state licensure, especially if you intend to work in private practice. To succeed in this role, you should have social perceptiveness, active listening, and complex problem-solving skills.

Military and veteran social workers support active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. They help with challenges related to military life and the transition to civilian life. Their services often include mental health care, counseling, resource navigation, and advocacy for well-being and successful reintegration.

Military and veteran social workers usually need a master’s degree to provide advanced care, such as therapy and diagnosis. You must be licensed in your state, and some roles may require special licenses or training. You may also need training in areas like trauma, military culture, and veteran-specific issues.

These social workers specialize in healthcare delivery and psychosocial support. They help people cope with chronic or long-term medical conditions. They often advise caregivers and provide patients with vital information and counseling services. They may also conduct interventions, engage in case management, and offer preventative care.

Education requirements vary by role and employer. Most healthcare social workers hold a master’s degree, but some positions only require undergraduate credentials. Additional licensure may also be necessary, depending on the state. As a healthcare social worker, you may find employment in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and nursing facilities. You can expect to work full-time and travel in order to meet with clients.

Child, youth, and family social workers help prevent child abuse and domestic violence, improve family dynamics, and strengthen parenting skills. In some cases, they identify alternative homes for children. Some child and family counselors work in schools or other education contexts, but most work in social services and other government agencies.

These social workers offer preventative services for clients dealing with emotional distress or mental health disorders. They assess and treat individuals and groups through case management, talk therapy, crisis intervention, and advocacy. They offer diagnoses, monitor progress, and develop treatment plans.

Education requirements to become a mental health social worker include a relevant master’s degree, state licensure, and sometimes additional certification. As a mental health social worker, you need strong communication skills and an awareness of cultural diversity. In this field, you may work in private practice, outpatient clinics, and community health centers.

A clinical social worker is a licensed mental health professional who diagnoses and treats emotional, behavioral, and mental health conditions. They provide therapy and counseling to individuals, families, and groups, helping them manage life’s challenges and improve their well-being.

Clinical social work has many specializations, including school social work, substance use treatment, mental health counseling, family therapy, and child welfare. Regardless of specialization, clinical social workers typically focus on mental health care, therapeutic interventions, and client advocacy.

Social workers work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, private practice, government agencies, and nonprofits. You may spend your workdays in traditional office spaces, meeting with clients, colleagues, or community specialists. If you’re a school or hospice social worker, you may be assigned to travel and visit clients.

First, you must earn your social work degree, pass an exam like the ASWB, and complete any supervised experience required by your state. Then, you can apply through your state’s licensing board and submit documents such as transcripts and an application.

There are two main types of licenses: an LBSW (licensed baccalaureate social worker), which typically requires a bachelor’s degree, and an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker), which requires a master’s degree, supervised clinical hours, and passing a clinical exam.

Some of the highest-paying careers include healthcare social workers, social workers in public safety and justice, and social workers in educational service industries. According to the BLS, healthcare social workers are among the highest-paid, with a median annual salary of $68,090.

Social worker salaries vary widely depending on the area of practice, years of experience, education, and geographic location.