If you're considering a career in social work, there are various areas of specialization that you might be interested in. First, it's important to decide whether you plan to earn your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or your Master of Social Work (MSW), or both. With a bachelor's degree, you'll be qualified for entry level general practice within the field, while the master's degree allows you a higher degree of specialization as well as qualification for administration or management. Read on to learn more about reasons why you may want to consider earning a degree in social work.
Children's Services
Some social workers specialize in providing help to children in foster care and in troubled families, as well as assisting with adoption and related services, in order to ensure that they are healthy, safe, and well cared for. These social workers are typically employed by public child welfare agencies, private agencies that assist children in need, adoption, residential, or foster care agencies, or child day care programs.
Clinical Therapeutic Services
These social workers, who must have a master's degree along with additional certification in most states, provide counseling to those with social and/or emotional issues. They may work in prisons, community mental health centers, family services agencies, schools, hospitals, and employee assistance programs, as well as in private practice.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
These social workers help those within incarcerated populations work toward rehabilitation as well as assisting crime victims. They typically work in prisons, court systems, police precincts, probation offices, and for victims service agencies.
Community Development
This type of social worker specializes in helping residents of a specific community improve their living conditions. They often work for community advocacy organizations, planning and development corporations and agencies, community centers and associations, as well as local, state, and federal government.
Employee Assistance
These social workers are focused on ensuring that employees have fair treatment in the workplace, and may also specializing in employee hiring, firing, and retention. Jobs within this specialty are available in all types of businesses as well as labor unions.
Developmental Disabilities
Some social workers help people with disabilities acclimate to daily life, ensuring their health, safety, and well being. Jobs in this area are typically in residential homes for the disabled, government agencies, medical and mental health facilities, and schools.
Gerentology This specialty focuses on social work for older adults, helping them and their families manage the medical and social challenges that occur along with aging. Geriatric social workers usually have jobs in senior centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. Services to the Needy
Some social workers specialize in assisting those who are economically disadvantaged, helping them to apply for benefits and take advantage of available programs, as well as developing these types of programs. This type of social worker typically is employed by public and private welfare agencies, government, and programs for the homeless and for veterans.
School Social Workers
Both public and private schools as well as school districts and early intervention programs employ social workers that focus on ensuring education for all students. They help advocate for services, develop necessary program, and support juvenile growth and development.
Mental Health Care
This type of social worker specifically helps those who have been diagnosed with mental illness. They assist with treatment programs as well as services for those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Social workers who specialize in mental health may be employed by a variety of organizations, including hospitals and clinics, public and private health agencies, public health centers, nursing homes, hospice care agencies, private and public drug and alcohol treatment programs, and veterans administrations.



