Social Worker
Field of Study — Counseling
Social workers work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. They provide counseling and services to clients and work to improve social conditions. They often work with persons who are homeless, unemployed, disabled, seriously ill, mentally ill or handicapped. They assist people of all ages with emotional and physical illness, behavior management, substance abuse, child/spouse abuse and other issues.
Social workers:
- interview and counsel individuals, families and groups regarding their concerns.
- assess needs and then plan, develop, implement, oversee and evaluate programs and activities designed to meet those needs.
- help people obtain community services, education and job training.
- refer clients to other professional or community resources.
- coordinate or work with civic, religious, business and union organizations to combat social problems through community programs.
- advocate positive social and institutional change.
Social workers may specialize in areas such as: health care, mental health, occupational, family and child welfare, adult and juvenile justice, aging studies, school social work, substance abuse or physical disability.
Social workers work in a variety of settings, such as agency offices, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, group homes, learning centers, schools, prisons, businesses or courts of law. Some work independently, while others practice as part of treatment teams that include physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, therapists, teachers, clergy and other professionals.
Educational Requirements
Students interested in becoming social workers should prepare by taking the most challenging high school courses available in science, English and math, including advanced placement courses.
Social workers must earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited school of social work. In order to become licensed in Virginia, they must complete two years of post-master’s (M.S.W) work experience and pass an examination.
Educational Institutions
Virginia Colleges and Universities
Bridgewater College
Eastern Mennonite University
Ferrum College
George Mason University
James Madison University
Longwood University
Mary Baldwin College
Norfolk State University
Radford University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Intermont College
Virginia State University
Virginia Union University
Virginia Wesleyan College
Professional Associations
- National Association of Social Workers
Virginia Chapter
1506 Staples Mill Road
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 204-1339
http://www.naswva.org