Social Work: A

Growing
Profession
What is Social Work?
• The primary mission of the social work profession is to
“enhance human well­being and help meet the basic human
needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs
and empowerment of people who are vulnerable,
oppressed, and living in poverty” (NASW, 2008, p.1).
• This profession is committed to the pursuit of social justice
to enhance the quality of life, and the development of
individuals, groups, families, and communities to its full
potential.
About Social Workers
• Each social worker is uniquely trained and qualified
to assess people and their environments that they
are influenced by.
• Social workers work to enhance the overall well-
being of the individual to create positive
opportunities for the future.
• Social workers use a large network of resources to
link the person to community services to help them
overcome life’s most difficult challenges.
How Do Social Workers Help?
• Poverty
Social workers work with
• Stress
a variety of different
• Mental Health
issues that can greatly
• Addiction
impact individuals,
families, and • Abuse
communities. Some of • Disability
these issues include: • Death
• Physical Illness
• Discrimination
Where Do Social Workers Work?
• Hospitals
Social workers can be • Schools
employed virtually • Mental Health Agencies
anywhere! There are a • Retirement and Senior
range of different fields Communities
of practice that social • Government
workers can work in. • Drug and Alcohol Facilities
• Hospice
Here are just a few of
• Family and Children Services
them:
• Juvenile and Adult Corrections
NASW Code of Ethics
• The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth values,
principles, and standards to guide social
workers’ conduct.
• This is relevant to all social workers and social
work students, regardless of their professional
functions, the settings in which they work, or
the populations they serve (NASW, 2008).
Six Core Values
The mission of the social
work profession is rooted
in a set of core values.
These core values are
the foundation of social
work’s unique purpose
and perspective (NASW,
2008).
How to Become a Social Worker
• Social workers are trained with proper
education, experience, and dedication to help
individuals whenever and wherever they need it.
• It takes a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral social
work degree — with a minimum number of hours
in supervised fieldwork — to become a social
worker (NASW Help Starts Here, 2008).
What is a BSW?
• The BSW is a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree.
• This is the only bachelor’s level human service degree whose
educational programs are accredited by a national body,
which is the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• The CSWE accreditation process insures that the programs
meet national standards on all levels.
• Through this process, social work students receive
appropriate education and training to better serve our clients.
Schools of Social Work – BSW
Programs
• Alvernia College • Eastern University

• Bloomsburg University • Edinboro University

• Cabrini College • Elizabethtown College

• California University of • Gannon University

Pennsylvania • Juniata College

• Carlow College • Kutztown University

• Cedar Crest College • La Salle University

• Chatham College • Lock Haven University

Schools of Social Work – BSW
Programs -- Continued
• Mansfield University • Saint Francis University
• Marywood University • Seton Hill University
• Mercyhurst College • Shippensburg University
• Messiah College • Slippery Rock University
• Millersville University • Temple University
• Misercordia University • University of Pittsburgh
• Philadelphia Biblical • West Chester University
• Widener University
What is a MSW?
• An MSW is a Master’s of Social Work degree.
• This prepares students to move from a generalist
approach to a more advanced practice.
• Students will concentrate more on their particular
area of interest and will be able to perform an
advanced range of roles upon graduation.
Direct Practice Social Work
• Direct practice involves providing direct
services to individuals and families.
• Social workers are generally employed in
clinical or direct practice settings.
• Supervisory, administrative, and staff training
positions usually require a MSW.
Macro Practice Social Work
• Macro social work involves practice at the society
and community level.
• This can include roles in public policy that perform
grassroots advocacy on a state, national, or
international level.
• Other roles would include community organization,
community development, and public health.
Schools of Social Work – MSW
Programs
• Bryn Mawr College • Shippensburg University
• California University of • Temple University
Pennsylvania • University of
• Edinboro University Pennsylvania
• Kutztown University • University of Pittsburgh
• Marywood University • West Chester University
• Millersville University • Widener University
What is a LSW?
• A LSW is a Licensed Social Worker.
• An individual with a LSW will be able to perform a wide range
of roles specifically focusing on direct practice services.
• To receive this license, an individual in Pennsylvania must
complete the following:
– Graduate with a Masters degree in Social Work or Social
Welfare from an accredited university.
– Pass a general Master’s level exam.
What is a LCSW?
• A LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
• An individual with a LCSW will be able to provide direct
mental health or health services and/or open a private
practice.
• To receive this license, an individual in Pennsylvania must
complete the following:
– 3,000 hours (2-6 years) of clinical supervision experience
after completing the Master’s degree in Social Work.
– Pass a clinical level exam.
LCSWs as Mental Health
Providers
• Clinical social workers generally provide mental
health services for prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment of mental, behavioral, and emotional
disorders.
• The main goal is to enhance an improved quality of
life and to maintain physical, psychological, and
social functioning of individuals, groups, and
families who are in direct need.
Future of Social Work
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
the need for social workers is expected to
grow twice as fast as any other occupation.
This especially focuses in gerontology, home
healthcare, substance abuse, private social
service agencies, and school social work
(NASW Help Starts Here, 2008).
Questions?
References
National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code
of Ethics. Retrieved November 25, 2008 from
http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/Code/code.asp
National Association of Social Workers, Help Starts
Here. (2008). About social workers. Retrieved
November 25, 2008 from
http://www.helpstartshere.org/About_Social_Worker
s.html