Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Work
Prepares you for the professional practice of social welfare administration and counseling, and that focus on the study of organized means of providing basic support services for vulnerable individuals and groups. Covers social welfare policy; case work planning; social counseling and intervention strategies; administrative procedures and regulations; and specific applications in areas such as child welfare and family services, probation, employment services, and disability counseling.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 3 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Youth Services/Administration
- Prepares you to plan, manage, and implement social services for children, youth, and families. Covers child development and psychology, adolescence, family studies, social work, social services administration, juvenile and family law, program and facilities planning, youth leadership, counseling, probation, casework, applicable procedures and regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
- Forensic Social Work
- Prepares you to serve as social workers in correctional facilities, mental health hospitals, the justice system, substance abuse treatment programs, and victim assistance. Covers forensic social work, criminal justice administration, domestic violence, ethics, juvenile justice systems, mental illness and crime, program evaluation, and research methods.
- Social Work, Other
- Providing instruction in social work and related services not listed above.
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Median pay
- $59,550
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.4%
- Job openings a year
- 33,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingSocial and Community Service Managers
- Median pay
- $80,390
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.2%
- Job openings a year
- 18,500
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing fastHealthcare Social Workers
- Median pay
- $67,880
- Hiring change through 2035
- 8.5%
- Job openings a year
- 16,900
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career Growing fastMental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median pay
- $60,280
- Hiring change through 2035
- 10.3%
- Job openings a year
- 12,500
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economySocial Workers, All Other
- Median pay
- $71,900
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.3%
- Job openings a year
- 5,800
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyProbation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
- Median pay
- $66,270
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.0%
- Job openings a year
- 7,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing fastMarriage and Family Therapists
- Median pay
- $66,940
- Hiring change through 2035
- 13.5%
- Job openings a year
- 6,900
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economySocial Work Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $77,570
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.6%
- Job openings a year
- 1,100
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career GrowingCounselors, All Other
- Median pay
- $50,860
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.9%
- Job openings a year
- 4,300
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $31,945 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.