Types of Social Work: What Aspiring Social Workers Must Know

If you’re interested in a career where you can help those in need while putting your organizational, planning, and communication skills to good use, then you might be suited for social work or social services. As a broad and encompassing field, there are many different types of social workers, career opportunities, and specializations to consider.

15 Different Types of Social Workers

While all social workers assist and advocate for their clients by providing support and connecting them to resources, there are many different roles in the field, all with different responsibilities. In fact, there are far more than 5 types of social work you can pursue, ranging from healthcare to education and beyond. Whether you’re interested in working on the clinical side of the field or serving as a school or family social worker, understanding the different types of social work and what they entail could help you map out your career goals.

1. Healthcare

Many social workers are in healthcare, where they work directly with individuals and families whose lives have been affected by illness or injury. Healthcare social workers may assist with emotional support, resource coordination, advocacy, and even care management for patients with complex needs.

2. Government or Policy

Many government agencies also turn to social workers for help with developing important public policies, running social services programs, and otherwise representing populations at the local, state, or even federal levels. It is not uncommon for social workers in government to further specialize in another area like mental health, public health, or child/family services.

3. Family

If you’re interested in working with children and families as a social worker, there are plenty of opportunities available. Some social workers, for example, might work specifically with children who have been victims of neglect or abuse. Others may work to find families for children who are up for adoption. Regardless of your exact role, a career in family social work can be extremely rewarding and make a monumental difference in the lives of children.

4. School

Many school districts, colleges, and universities employ social workers who address the complex needs of students, effectively serving as a link between students and their schools. More specifically, these professionals may advocate for students who need special accommodations to learn, assist students suffering from mental health problems, and connect students with other valuable community resources.

5. Clinical or Mental Health

Clinical social work is a highly specialized area of social work that centers on “the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness.” Clinical social workers are required to be licensed, carrying out such critical tasks as case management, treatment plan development, client assessment, and individual or group therapy with clients. Because of their advanced training, they often collaborate with other health professionals, including physicians and psychologists.

6. Occupational or Corporate

Some businesses and corporations may also hire social work professionals to help them better address the needs of their employees. For example, a company may hire a social worker or social work agency to assist in the creation and operation of an employee assistance program (EAP). Occupational or corporate social workers may also provide counseling and/or therapy services to those in high-stress professions.

7. Criminal Justice and Corrections

Social workers also play an important role in the world of criminal justice and corrections, especially for those who have been convicted of crimes and may need help transitioning back into society after serving a prison sentence. Social workers in these positions may provide personalized assessment and treatment planning, substance abuse counseling, therapy, and reintegration support (such as securing employment for clients after their release).

8. Child Welfare

If you’re passionate about protecting children from abuse and/or neglect, then exploring the child welfare side of social work may be right for you. In these types of roles, you’ll have the opportunity to protect vulnerable young populations from harm through careful investigations and skilled assessments. In cases where a child needs to be removed from an unsafe situation, you may even be responsible for finding a foster care placement.

9. Military

Members of the military, military veterans, and even military family members may benefit from social work services in the form of mental health support, counseling, or even transition services for those adjusting to civilian life after serving. Military social workers are specially trained to understand the unique challenges of service members and their families, from deployment stress to navigating veterans’ benefits. If you’re interested in serving as an advocate for current or veteran military, this line of work can be very fulfilling.

10. Research

The field of social work is always evolving based on new findings and innovations made possible by researchers in the field. If you’re interested in a career in social work research or even teaching social work at the college level, then you might consider looking into such roles as social program evaluator, social work analyst, or professor of social work.

11. Disability

Some social workers may specialize in providing support to disabled clients, including clients with physical and cognitive disabilities. By advocating for these individuals, social workers can help them access the resources and support that they need to enjoy a better quality of life. Disability social workers may specialize in developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, or even working with disabled populations in certain age groups (like children or seniors).

12. Aging (Geriatric)

Speaking of seniors, some social workers work exclusively with geriatric populations and their families. These social work professionals may assist with everything from helping seniors apply for government benefits (like Medicare or Medicaid), providing counseling support, and coordinating health needs with doctors and/or long-term care facilities. They also play an important role in helping older adults maintain independence and quality of life while supporting family caregivers.

13. International

Your commitment to serving populations through a career in social work doesn’t have to be confined to the United States. Many social workers go on to facilitate positive change across borders, working to represent populations in underserved countries or even address social rights issues in other areas of the world. This work often involves collaborating with global organizations to address poverty, human rights violations, and public health concerns.

14. Community Advocacy

If you prefer to see the direct impact of your work in your surrounding community, then a career in community advocacy may be right for you. In this area of social work, you can engage directly with local populations to empower communities, improve access to resources/programs, and even influence policy change. Community advocates often partner with schools, nonprofits, and local government to identify needs and create sustainable solutions.

15. Substance Abuse

Substance abuse social workers strive to help clients who struggle with drug addiction and/or dependency issues, providing dedicated counseling, evidence-based interventions, and other critical resources to individuals and their families in their time of greatest need. They may also work in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, or community programs to support recovery and reduce the stigma surrounding addiction.

Job Titles and Roles in Social Work

Now that you have a better idea of the different realms of social work, it may be time to explore some potential job titles in social work. From administrative and support staff to community health worker and case manager, there are many social work occupations worth considering if you want to make a positive difference in other people’s lives.

Social Worker

Perhaps the most obvious job title in this field is social worker. These professionals can work in a variety of settings (including in government agencies, schools, and hospitals) to help people prevent and deal with challenges in their lives. 

While there are entry-level opportunities for social work with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or bachelor’s degree in human and social services, clinical social workers (CSW/LCSW) need a minimum of a Master of Social Work (MSW) — and credentialing requirements can vary by state.

Administrative or Support Staff

Another career option in social work to consider is that of administrative or support staff. Social work agencies, government agencies, and similar organizations rely on administrative and support staff to assist with the everyday clerical tasks that keep things running smoothly. This may include, for example:

• Maintaining client files and other databases
• Scheduling appointments for new and existing clients
• Allocating resources and services
• Coordinating special events or programs for clients

While an advanced degree may not be required for entry-level roles in administrative support, a strong understanding of social work programs and other human services topics can be extremely valuable. With this in mind, a diploma in human and social services can be worth pursuing if you’re interested in this type of work.

Case Manager

Many clinics, mental health facilities, and even insurance companies rely on case managers to assist in creating and implementing personalized plans for guiding individuals during times of crisis. For example, a case manager may be responsible for working alongside medical social workers to develop wellness and screening programs for at-risk individuals. Others may work specifically with children, disabled adults, or adults dealing with mental health challenges.

Earning a bachelor’s degree can open the door to entry-level case manager positions, offering meaningful and rewarding work for those pursuing social work careers.

Case Management Assistant

If you’re interested in case management but aren’t sure about committing to a Bachelor of Social Work, you might instead consider a career as a case management assistant. Specifically, these professionals work under the supervision of case managers to provide valuable support, handling such tasks as:

• Interviewing new clients to understand their needs
• Updating and managing client files
• Researching new treatments, programs, and services available to clients
• Reviewing clients’ plans and evaluating their progress

Because an associate degree in human and social services provides opportunities to build essential skills and knowledge for work as a case management assistant, you don’t necessarily have to spend four (or more) years in school. However, if you decide to return to school for your bachelor’s, having your associate degree already done could help you expedite completion of your bachelor’s degree.

Advocate

If you’re the type of person who others rely on to stand up for what’s right, then you might fit well into an advocate role in social work. Specifically, social services advocates work tirelessly to ensure that their clients’ rights are protected and/or that their needs are met. This may include advocating for individuals facing mental health challenges, addiction, or even legal issues.

Working as an advocate in social work typically requires a minimum of an associate degree, though this can vary depending on the specific job. Advocates often work in a wide range of settings, from schools and clinics to corrections facilities and even law offices.

Community Health Worker

Another potential career path to explore in social work is that of community health worker. These professionals essentially serve as a liaison between social work clients and healthcare providers/educators. By working to improve the relationships between healthcare providers and the populations they serve, community health workers can enhance access to healthcare services while raising important concerns that may otherwise go unheard.

Although some community health worker roles may require no more than a high school diploma, a postsecondary diploma (such as a human and social service diploma) can be beneficial for those considering this line of work. It provides foundational knowledge while also giving you a competitive edge.

Services Specialist/Assistant

Government agencies, social work organizations, and some residential care facilities may hire social and human service assistants/specialists to assist with identifying the needs of clients and locating the correct services to fulfill those needs. 

These professionals may be responsible for coordinating services for clients, helping clients apply for certain types of assistance, and following up with clients as needed. Working as a services specialist requires an extensive knowledge of social services and how to navigate different programs, so having at least an associate degree in human and social services is an excellent starting point.

Start Your Journey in Social Services Today

A career in social work or social services can be a great fit for those who care deeply about others and want to make a positive difference in others’ lives. Whether you end up pursuing your MSW degree or are interested in roles that require less formal education, a foundation in human and social services could set you up for a fulfilling career.

At Bryant & Stratton College, we offer various diploma and degree options in human and social services. From our human and social services diploma and associate degree program to our Bachelor of Science in Human and Social Services, you can pursue the level of education that best meets your needs. Many of our programs are also offered online and on-campus for added convenience, so request information to learn more or apply today!