+13% Overall GrowthSocial Work
Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by specialization.
Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social Workers
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Social Work job prospects are noted to be “very good, particularly for clinical social workers.” Popular employment environments are in alignment with areas of projected growth increases.
+17% growthMental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
+14% growthHealthcare Social Workers
+12% growthChild, Family and School Social Workers
+5% growthAll Other Social Workers
Job Outlook, and Work Environment, US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Social Work is a profession devoted to helping people function at their best in their environment.
Social work can involve providing services or therapy directly to people or working for change to improve social conditions.
Compare and contrast occupations with similar job roles and responsibilities to those of social workers. Similar Occupations
The U.S. population is aging. We live in a country where people over 65 outnumber teenagers. This translates into a tremendous need-and a variety of opportunities-for social work with older persons and their families
Child welfare social workers are advocates for American’s most silent minority; out nation’s youth.
Public welfare provides income and support services to society’s most vulnerable people-children, the ill, the elderly, and the disabled. Although some of these people will always need services, traditional thinking about how to help is changing as the nation debates welfare reform. How to foster self-sufficiency and move people into the mainstream is today’s challenges complicated by an increase in social problems and general decrease in funds.
Corrections and justice is a field in which a social work can focus on rehabilitation and the constructive use of authority.
People with developmental disabilities may at some time seek out social services.
Employment and occupational social workers help workers with problems that affect their job performance and satisfaction. Employee assistance programs is a growing practice area.
Social workers are needed in hospitals, clinics and other medical and health care settings to facilitate medical and emotional treatment. They are vital members of the health care team, working in concert with doctors, nurses and other health professionals.
Many people at times in their lives need mental health services to get the most out of life. Clinical social workers are the largest group of professionally trained mental health providers in the United States, supplying more than half of counseling and therapy services. These mental health professionals help people find solutions to problems ranging from inability to cope with stress to severe mental illness.
To be a social worker, requires a degree in social work from a college or university program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The undergraduate degree is the Bachelor of Social Work. Graduate degrees include the Master of Social Work and the Doctorate in Social Work. A Master of Social Work is required to provide therapy.
Degree programs involve classroom study as well as practical field experience. The bachelor’s degree prepares graduates for entry-level work. The master of Social Work is required for more advanced practice. A Doctorate is required for doing research or teaching at the university level.
IU School of Social Work is headquartered on the IUPUI campus with locations on 8 IU Campuses. The school also has the Department of Labor Studies
IU School of Social Work IU South Bend
PartnershipsOffice of Education AssessmentThe Office of Education Assessment is responsible for the evaluation of student learning outcomes at the BSW and MSW level for the Indiana School of Social Work.
ToolsFaculty & Staff
