Social Workers Resources

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with 145,000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is a nonprofit national association representing more than 2,500 individual members, as well as graduate and undergraduate programs of professional social work education. Founded in 1952, this partnership of educational and professional institutions, social welfare agencies, and private citizens is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in this country.

The Society for Social Work and Research was founded in 1994 as a free-standing organization dedicated to the advancement of social work research. SSWR works collaboratively with a number of other organizations that are committed to improving support for research among social workers. Our members include faculty in schools of social work and other professional schools, research staff in public and private agencies, and masters/doctoral students.

The National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc., comprised of people of African ancestry, is committed to enhancing the quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry through advocacy, human services delivery, and research. In collaboration with national, international, and other appropriate groups, NABSW will continue to leverage its collective expertise to strategically develop the capacity of people of African ancestry to sustain and flourish.

The National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (NADD) is a volunteer membership organization working to promote excellence in social work education. NADD achieves this by enhancing the leadership of social work education programs. Our membership is comprised of Deans and Directors of graduate social work programs that are accredited or advanced to candidacy. NADD supports Deans and Directors in their professional development and effectiveness as academic administrators.

The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) is a global organization striving for social justice, human rights, and social development through the promotion of social work, best practice models, and the facilitation of international cooperation. The International Federation of Social Workers supports its 90 member organizations by providing a global voice for the profession.

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) is a nonprofit organization composed of and owned by the social work regulatory boards and colleges of all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and all 10 Canadian provinces. They are the only nonprofit organization dedicated to social work regulation. Its mission is to provide support and services to the social work regulatory community to advance safe, competent, and ethical practices to strengthen public protection.

School social work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the social work profession. School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system and the student services team. In particular, School Social Workers are trained in mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators as well as with individual and group counseling techniques.

Founded by professor and former Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, the Nancy A Humphreys Institute works to expand the growing role of social workers in politics. Dr. Humphreys believes that social workers should seek elected partisan political office and that political social work practice is a legitimate specialization in the profession. The institute offers a two-day Campaign School that teaches social workers about political campaign strategies and how to run successful political campaigns.

THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER®, the social work careers magazine, has been published since 1994.  Each issue provides practical articles on social work students, social work ethics, field placement, practice issues, practice specialties, technology in social work, book reviews, and more. The quarterly magazine for social work students, recent graduates, and others interested in the social work profession was founded by Linda May Grobman, MSW, ACSW, LSW.

SWHELPER is an award-winning progressive news website dedicated to providing news, information, resources, and entertainment related to social work, social justice, and social good. Its audience includes academics, policymakers, social workers, students, mental health practitioners, helping professionals, caregivers, and people looking for information to help themselves or a loved one in crisis.

The Association is a national individual membership organization dedicated to providing essential services, products, professional support, and national identity for Clinical Social Workers. The Association membership consists of clinical social workers, new professionals (clinical social workers who have graduated within the last four years), emeritus members, and students.

The mission of MacroSW is to promote macro-focused social work practice and education while creating a community for social workers by promoting macro social work through the use of social media, joining with like-minded partners to share resources and ideas, discussing the capabilities and value of macro focused practice, creating an understanding of its importance in the social work profession and assisting with better integration of this practice throughout social work to advocate for the benefits of macro practice and involve more social workers in this type of work, and to reinfuse macro practice philosophies in the many facets of the social work profession: e.g. how clinicians in direct practice can participate in developing policy.

This website is designed as a resource hub for prospective social workers as well as social workers already working in the field.
Besides important degree overviews, you will also find other resources designed to help students make informed decisions about what kinds of careers are available to people with a social work degree. Check out our career hub and career profiles to gain some insight into what kinds of skills and training are required to land a social work job. In addition to the background requirements, we’ve also included important information such as job demand, project growth, and salary outlook.

100% online MSW programs are among the most common online degrees universities offer. An MSW degree program is popular for students who have obtained an undergraduate degree in social work (Advanced Standing MSW programs are available) or those who have completed related degree programs in psychology or sociology. Students who are intrigued by this degree program can indulge in programs in the traditional learning environment or those that can be completed online.

The time and expense that you spend earning a social work degree and licensure can lead to better employment opportunities and a higher salary. Additionally, many social work degree scholarships exist to help you pay for school. This guide provides an overview detailing what to expect when looking for scholarships for social work students.

Many of California’s Master of Social Work programs offer specialized degree tracks for students entering specific areas of the field. While they vary between schools, some common specializations include child welfare, healthcare social work, clinical practice, and gerontology. Some even offer dual degree tracks that allow students to earn an MSW and a degree in an area like policy administration or public health.

This website provides a wealth of information to help you decide what educational path to take when making the decision about your career in social work. Social workers work as direct services providers with individuals, groups, and families. Social workers may be administrators, managing public, private and nonprofit agencies and organizations. Or you may want to pursue a career that is more policy-focused. From social work degree requirements, licensing processes, and the different types of social work careers, you’ll be sure to find the right fit for your educational needs and professional interests.

ACSSW advocates for the practice of school social work and supports school social workers in their service to students, schools, and families to overcome social, systemic, economic, and mental health barriers to student learning.

The American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work (ABE), founded in 1987, is a national certification board created by and for the profession of Clinical Social Work. It is the credentialing unit of the Center for Clinical Social Work, a national education and advocacy organization. ABE’s main purposes are to issue advanced credentials to Clinical Social Workers based on uniform national standards of practice, and to educate the public and various audiences about the value of these certifications and the services of those who hold them.

The mission of the National Organization of Forensic Social Work is to adhere to ethical standards of practice, to advance the field of multidisciplinary forensic social work through training for our members, to engage in policy and program development and evaluation, to facilitate expertise related to civil and criminal law and alternative dispute resolution, and to provide services that improve the effectiveness of our members and the lives of our clients.

Social workers play an essential role in our society, providing guidance and services to people who need them. Social workers help people who face challenges, including veterans, the homeless, people with substance abuse issues, and children facing neglect or abuse. As a whole, the number of social workers could increase by 13% from 2019-29, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects 14% growth for healthcare social workers and 12% growth for the child, family, and school social workers. This guide takes an in-depth look at social worker salaries and explores how factors like degree level, specialty, and location can affect earnings. You’ll also learn about the highest-paying social work jobs.

Social work licensure protects the public by ensuring that social workers possess the proper education and training to provide ethical and competent services. Each state’s regulatory board grants social workers their licenses, so criteria for licensure and levels of licensure vary by location. Depending on the state, individuals may need to obtain social work licenses to use the social worker title or provide any social work services.

The Social Work Research Network (SWRnet) housed at the Boston University School of Social Work provides timely information about research resources for all areas of social work practice and research. Subscribers to SWRnet receive weekly email updates about funding opportunities, calls for papers, conference deadlines, and newly published research.