Across the vast field of social work, hardworking professionals devote their lives to helping others, putting their time and energy toward contributing to the causes they care about. But different social workers are focused on very different causes, and in turn their day to day jobs can look vastly different from one another.
Social workers are employed in a wide range of environments, with an equally wide range of responsibilities. Some social workers are drawn to direct counseling roles that allow them to provide therapy and other services directly to individuals and families. Others are motivated to do the involved work of helping those in need access key resources during critical times. There are also social workers who are drawn to working with particular communities, whether by age group, personal and professional background, or cultural affinity.
As a social work student, you have the opportunity to direct your own path by finding the MSW concentration that most speaks to you. This will guide your studies and lead you to the professional opportunities that are relevant to your goals.
Determining your career path as a social worker starts with choosing your MSW specialization.
Many social work students gain exposure to their chosen area of specialization through their field work experiences, allowing them to build hands-on professional skill before they even hold their graduate degrees.
But how does one pick from the many MSW concentrations that are out there? Some students enter school with a specific idea of what they’d like to do. Others may know the broad strokes (such as the type of service they’d like to provide) but not the finer details (such as the issue they’d like to address). Still others may have few ideas confirmed at all when they begin their MSW programs, and this is not a problem. What’s important is to have an open mind and think carefully about what you need to thrive in a long-lasting social work career.
This guide provides an overview of the main MSW specialization subjects you’re likely to encounter in a graduate program. It’s worth noting that some MSW programs are particularly known for their emphasis on particular specialties within the social work field. As an applicant, if you already know what you’d like your concentration to be, this can help you find the best possible program to develop the skills you want. If you’re not yet sure what you’d like to concentrate on, double check your target schools’ course offerings to be sure they will give you a variety of specializations to choose from.
To learn everything you want to know about social work focus areas, read on.
What to Consider When Choosing Your Social Work Focus Area
For those just starting their MSW programs, it can be intimidating to pick from the many social work concentrations out there, especially if you are brand new to the field. The truth is, social workers in every category perform vital roles that can change the lives of those in need for the better – how is it possible, then, to pick the best one?
To start, it’s important to remember there’s no objective “best MSW specialization.” Every social work job out there is devoted to the honorable work of helping others. But there might be a best MSW specialization for you.
As you are contemplating your social work specialization, it’s worth spending time reflecting on the following questions, which will help you find the path that’s best for you:
- Is there a cause especially close to your heart? If you were moved to enter the social work profession, chances are it’s because you have a desire to make a difference in the world. What are the issues you care most about? In some cases, this may come from personal experience – and indeed, those who have experienced the same hardships as their clients can provide incredible insight and support to their clients – while in others, it may stem from pure compassion for those with a particular affliction or need.
- What responsibilities of a social worker most suit your interests and skills? This can help narrow your focus. Those who have strong emotional skills may find themselves best suited to counseling roles, while those who are more systems-oriented may be drawn to case management positions. Those with an interest in medicine may gravitate toward healthcare-related work, while others who love mentoring young people may find what they’re looking for in school social work. Take all of your talents and abilities, as well as your disposition, into account as you consider your MSW specialization.
- Is there a key demographic you’d like to work with? This can extend to age groups (such as children or elderly people), those who have a common cultural background, or people who have a particular shared experience (such as, for example, veterans).
- What type of environment would you like to work in? Social workers are employed in vastly different places, creating a huge variety of work experiences. Are you motivated by working in large, busy organizations, such as hospitals and schools, where you will interact with a large number of people each day? Or do you prefer to work on smaller teams, meeting with fewer clients daily?
In answering these questions, it’s important to keep career longevity in mind. You’ll want to pick a focus area that can engage you in the long term, speaking to the skills you’d most like to develop and allowing you to work in places that will keep you motivated. Finding the balance between what’s exciting and what’s sustainable is a critical part of choosing your social work concentration.
Top MSW Concentrations
Below is a list of the major subfields of social work, most if not all of which you will be likely to find among course offerings in your MSW program.
Aging
If you wish to be a social worker for elderly people, you’ll want to specialize in gerontology, or geriatric social work. Social work and aging have long been intertwined, and many of us have seen firsthand how our elderly loved ones have benefitted from the care of social workers, whether in at-home care, nursing homes, medical centers, or even hospice. Performing social work for older adults is a tremendous service that will allow elderly people to get the most out of their lives.
Child Welfare
Those who have a passion for working with children may find child welfare social work to be their calling. But what does a child welfare social worker do? Child welfare social workers play an invaluable role in the lives of at-risk children, offering a variety of services including assessments and evaluation, case management, and coordinating with other care providers to ensure all minors have access to the resources they need. They can also work with adoption and foster care services. Though this work can be heart-rending, the good it provides for children in need is immense.
Clinical
There are some MSW programs with a strong clinical focus, intended primarily for students who know they wish to move forward as therapists or counselors. Jobs of this nature require social workers to be Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), a license level with different requirements than other social work roles. (For more information about the career path of an LCSW, take a look at our guide here. )
Some schools are specifically known for their emphasis on clinical work. This means that as you search for schools, you should keep an eye out for MSW programs with clinical concentrations, which is often a sign that it is an area of expertise for the school. In Texas, there are many top MSW programs with a clinical focus, meaning you’ll have many options. That said, you are not strictly required to receive your MSW with a clinical concentration to become an LCSW, as some programs do not offer them. It is possible to specialize in another area of social work, such as military social work, knowing that you wish to become a counselor within that subfield, and it is likely there will still be clinical social work course offerings within your degree program even if a concentration isn’t offered.
Forensic
If you wish to work with individuals impacted by the criminal justice and legal systems, you’ll want to pursue an MSW in Forensic Social Work. Forensic social workers can play an important and complex role in the criminal justice system, working between individuals undergoing legal proceedings, lawyers, law enforcement, and even lawmakers themselves. They can also provide important expert testimony in critical cases that can impact the futures of individuals and families. Since this is a complex branch of the social work field, if this is your interest, you’ll want to seek out Forensic Social Work master’s programs specifically to cultivate this expertise. It will benefit you in future employment opportunities to hold a master’s degree in Forensic Social Work.
Medical and Healthcare
There are all sorts of needs for social workers in the healthcare sector, from onsite counselors and therapists to coordinators helping individuals navigate the often confusing world of the medical system. Because there are so many roles for healthcare social workers, there are many Medical Social Work master’s programs that can prepare you for the advanced responsibilities of this job. An MSW in healthcare (or a Master’s in Medical Social Work) will give you the full lay of the land to work within the high-stakes environments of medical facilities to do the most you can for your clients. If this is the work you wish to do, it’s well worth your while to find an MSW with a health concentration.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Those who hold an MSW in Mental Health are able to provide both short-term and long-term support to people who are struggling, offering their services in a wide range of therapeutic modalities. A Master’s in Mental Health Social Work will give you the tools you need to approach those who are struggling with mental illness or addiction with care and precision. Comparable programs with slightly different disciplinary approaches can be found in MSW in Behavioral Health programs.
Military
Those invested in military and veterans’ causes may benefit from Military Social Work master’s programs, which help students understand the key issues faced by those who are serving or have previously served in the U.S. Military. If you hold a Master’s in Military Social Work, you are equipped to provide services ranging from counseling services for those struggling with mental health issues related to their military service, helping veterans and active duty soldiers make the most of their military benefits, and more. There are limited options for MSWs with a military focus, but many Texas schools offer electives that will offer first steps in building that expertise.
School Social Work
Social workers can play important roles in schools, from providing direct counseling to students to developing overall school strategy to best support the needs of students. A school social worker week will typically include meeting with students, teachers, parents, and administrators alike, making it an action-packed, always engaging career path.
School social worker requirements are similar to those in other subfields, but it’s highly recommended to pursue an MSW that will specifically offer you school social worker certification, as this is a role that will have you working closely with young people, therefore requiring a maximum of training and expertise.
FAQs
Do different social work specializations require different degrees?
No. All of the above concentrations fall under the umbrella of social work as a whole. This means that your MSW degree will make you eligible for any of these professions. However, your concentration will establish to prospective employers that you are properly trained in the services they provide, making it highly important to choose the best MSW specialization while you’re in school.
Is Clinical Social Work its own specialization?
Yes and no. Some schools offer concentrations in Clinical Social Work, zeroing in on the skills needed to become a counselor or therapist. However, some roles in other subfields of social work also require clinical licensing. One good example of this is school therapists: in order to provide counseling to students, one must become an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), but they are more likely to specialize in School Social Work. In short, you don’t need to have a concentration in Clinical Social Work to pursue clinical licensing. For more information about licensing requirements in Texas, read our guide here .
Can social workers change their focus areas over the course of their careers?
Yes. While many social workers choose to work their way up the ranks within their chosen specialization, others decide to pivot to other branches of social work. In order to do this, social workers generally need to pursue the appropriate continuing education courses to build their skills and expertise in new areas. For more information about continuing education requirements, read our guide here.
What if the schools on my list only offer Advanced Generalist concentrations?
At many schools, Advanced Generalist is a catch-all concentration that accounts for all different types of social work. In these cases, your field work experiences and chosen electives will help you specialize in your training, and will hold the same weight as a concentration for prospective employers.
Do all social workers need the same license?
No. Different social work responsibilities can require different licenses. This won’t affect your path through your MSW, but it may determine your path in the years after school. For a complete guide to social work licenses in Texas, read our guide here.