| Quick Links |  |
|
 On-campus interviewing, career days and job postings Login: Students/Alumni | Employers |
| Top Sponsors | |
 |
|
|
Introduction
The field of social work aims to improve the quality of life for people experiencing a broad range of problems due to societal and economic factors, such as poverty and homelessness, or involving personal and family issues like parent-child conflict, substance abuse, and caring for aged relatives. Social work functions include providing services directly to clients, as well as administrative responsibilities such as organizing and evaluating services, managing programs, and developing social policy.
Many social workers work within child welfare and family service agencies and in settings providing mental health, medical, educational, correctional, and gerontological services. These agencies may be in the public sector or under private auspices (for-profit or not-for-profit). Other social workers are self-employed. With a master's degree you may become licensed by the state to accept third party payments. Every state has some form of certification or licensure for social workers.
A bachelor's degree is usually required for entry level positions, although majors in psychology, sociology, and related
fields are sometimes considered for these jobs. A master's in social work (MSW) is generally required for positions involving clinical services. Supervisory and administrative positions often require an MSW. College teaching and research positions often require a doctoral degree in social work.
A Sample of Related Occupations
| Career Counselor | Guidance Counselor | Psychologist |
| Child Welfare Worker | Hospital Administrator | Public Administrator |
| Community Affairs Specialist | Human Resources Specialist | Rehabilitation Counselor |
| Community Service Agency Director | Marriage Counselor | Residence Counselor |
| Drug Abuse Counselor | Mental Health Therapist | School Social Worker |
| Family Therapist | Nonprofit Agency Administrator | Social Worker |
| Gerontologist | Nursing Home Administrator | Sociologist |
| Government Agency Administrator | Probation/Parole Officer | Youth Counselor |
Types of Employers
| Private & Non-profit Organizations | ||
| Adoption/Foster Care Agencies | Family Service Agencies | Rehabilitation Centers |
| Agencies Serving the Homeless | Home Health Agencies | Religious Programs |
| Centers for the Aged | Hospitals/Hospices/Clinics | School Systems |
| Child Welfare Agencies | Mental Health Institutions | Social Service Organizations |
| Community Centers | Nursing Homes | Substance Abuse Programs |
| Correctional Institutions | Private Practices | Youth Organizations |
| Employee Assistance Programs | Protective Services for Women & Children | |
| Government Agencies | ||
| Alcohol, Drug Abuse & Mental Health Admin. | County Probation Department | Peace Corps/AmeriCorps |
| Board of Education - Child Study Teams | Crime Victim Assistance Programs | Police Departments |
| Bureau of Indian Affairs | Division of Mental Health | Public Welfare Agencies |
| Bureau of Prisons | Division of Youth & Family Services | Veterans Administration |
Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates
| First Jobs of Recent Graduates | |
| Case Manager, AA | Mental Health Specialist, St. Francis Hospital |
| Case Manager, Apostles' House | Mental Health Specialist, UMDNJ |
| Claims Specialist, West American Insurance Co. | Outreach Coordinator, St. Peter's Medical Center |
| Educational Program Coordinator, Marns City Mental Health Association | Service Coordinator, Alive with R.A.P.S. (youthful offender program) |
| Jobs of Experienced Alumni | |
| Clinical Social Worker, Private Practice (MSW, LCSW) | Policy Analyst, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (MSW) |
| Coordinator of Youth Services, NJ Dept. of Human Services (MSW) | School Social Worker, Newark Board of Education (MSW) |
| Director, Clinical Social Work, AM Counseling Services (MSW) | School Social Worker, South River Public Schools (MSW) |
| Director, Housing Coalition of Central NJ (MSW) | Social Work Consultant, Private Practice (MSW) |
| Director, Mental Health Services, The Benjamin Rush Center (MSW) | Social Worker, Private Practice (A.C.S.W.) |
| Intake Supervisor, Somerset Treatment Services (MSW) | Student Assistance Counselor, Livingston High School (MSW) |
Graduate Schools Attended
| Clinical Social Worker, Private Practice (MSW, LCSW) | Policy Analyst, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (MSW) |
| Coordinator of Youth Services, NJ Dept. of Human Services (MSW) | School Social Worker, Newark Board of Education (MSW) |
| Director, Clinical Social Work, AM Counseling Services (MSW) | School Social Worker, South River Public Schools (MSW) |
| Director, Housing Coalition of Central NJ (MSW) | Social Work Consultant, Private Practice (MSW) |
| Director, Mental Health Services, The Benjamin Rush Center (MSW) | Social Worker, Private Practice (A.C.S.W.) |
| Intake Supervisor, Somerset Treatment Services (MSW) | Student Assistance Counselor, Livingston High School (MSW) |
Additionally, you may:
 |
 |
Find us...Follow us! |
|
Still Have Questions? Ask the Director.
For questions or comments about this site, contact cswebpg@rci.rutgers.edu.
© 2008 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. All rights reserved.
Last Updated: 05/10/2009