Social work is a broad discipline that significantly affects nearly every aspect of community life. How broad? The National Association of Social Workers recognizes 16 areas of social work practice, including administration, advocacy, client services, policy, politics, public welfare and research. Such breadth requires a significant workforce: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 750,000 professionals practice social work in the United States.
Demand for social workers is likely to continue growing. Government data projects about 67,000 job openings in the field each year from 2023 to 2033, with the social work job market growing at a 7 percent rate (nearly twice the rate for the rest of the U.S. job market) over that period. Growth is expected to be particularly strong in mental health and substance use social work (12 percent growth rate) and health care social work (10 percent growth rate).
You can prepare for a social work leadership role by earning a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. This article explores the range of social work applications and their impact on communities and the nation.
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The Expanding Scope of Social Work in 2025
The social work profession has evolved significantly over the past decades. Factors driving change include increased demand for trauma counseling due to natural and human-caused disasters and an aging population requiring a widening range of services. These changes are driving demand for more social workers in traditional clinical settings and beyond.
Social workers possess a specialist skill set that qualifies them to support individuals and groups in various settings. In-demand skills that social workers possess include:
- Advocacy
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Cross-cultural communication
- Cultural competency
- Data-driven decision making
- Empathy
- Organizational skills
- A trauma-informed approach to care
VCU’s M.S.W. Program focuses on evidence-based practice to address modern challenges. VCU believes that social work knowledge is to be discovered, not recited. The program emphasizes hands-on experience to build skills that serve individuals, families and communities in various work settings and functions (discussed in more detail below).
Social Workers in Educational Settings
Social workers employed in educational settings help create an environment conducive to learning and teaching excellence. They work to remedy barriers to learning caused by factors that include poverty, inadequate health care, neighborhood violence or mental health issues. By working directly with students and their families, school social workers positively impact students’ academic achievement.
Social workers work in various educational settings, including:
- K-12: School social workers provide services to students and teachers to create a positive learning environment. Their day-to-day work may include assisting with conflict resolution, addressing bullying, providing mental health counseling, and providing teachers with information to help them better understand the factors impacting students’ behavior.
- Higher education: Social workers in higher education provide support to safeguard students’ well-being and academic success. Their responsibilities usually include aiding first-generation students, providing mental health counseling and crisis intervention and response.
Social Workers in Health Care and Hospitals
Health care social workers support patients and their families navigating the intersection of health and social needs. Social workers in health care settings are trained in various interventions and strategies that help patients and their families cope with health care-related challenges. They provide counseling and therapy, work with health care professionals to ensure all patients receive adequate care and help patients prepare for discharge.
Health care social workers may choose to specialize in a specific realm of care. For example:
- Mental health and substance use: These professionals typically work in mental health clinics and rehabilitation facilities, treating individuals with cognitive, emotional, or substance use problems. Their responsibilities include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention and education.
- Hospice and palliative care: M.S.W. degree holders can pursue the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW) certification, which qualifies them to work in palliative care settings. Palliative care social workers play a crucial role in supporting patients with terminal or chronic illnesses. They focus on enhancing patients’ quality of life and addressing their emotional, social, spiritual, and practical challenges. Responsibilities include counseling, care coordination, family support and conflict resolution.
- Pediatric health care: Pediatric social workers focus on enhancing the well-being and quality of life of children and their families. They operate in diverse settings, such as hospitals, schools and community organizations, conducting assessments to understand the child’s and family’s needs, coordinate care and advocate for essential services.
Social Workers in Community Organizations and Policy
Social workers drive change at the macro level by influencing large-scale social policies, developing community programs and advocating for systemic reforms. Their comprehensive understanding of how individual problems connect to broader societal issues positions them to address systemic issues like housing and food insecurity. They also have the skills to communicate effectively at multiple levels, enabling them to engage individuals, organizations and government agencies.
Social workers with an interest in administration, policy and planning can make a difference in various settings, including:
- Nonprofit organizations: Social workers in the nonprofit sector design and manage programs that address specific social ills, (e.g., poverty, education disparities). Their work may include grant writing and fundraising.
- Community outreach programs: Social workers specializing in community outreach typically organize events like health fairs or educational workshops to raise awareness about important issues. They also help connect residents with essential resources (such as food banks or mental health services).
- Social advocacy organizations: Social workers in advocacy organizations conduct research to identify gaps in current policies and advocate for changes that promote equity and justice.
- Government agencies: At the government level, social workers can play a critical role in developing and advocating for policies that address systemic social challenges. They may also analyze existing policies to identify areas for improvement and collaborate with lawmakers to draft new legislation.
VCU’s M.S.W. Program offers a concentration in macro practice designed to prepare leaders skilled in analyzing, formulating, implementing and evaluating policies, plans and programs. The program also equips students with the critical soft skills to guide organizations and individuals toward change.
The New Frontiers: Emerging Fields for Social Workers in 2025
As the world changes, so does the field of social work, with new specializations and fields constantly emerging. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth quickly became commonplace; social workers had to adapt. Post-COVID, many social workers embrace technology to deliver teletherapy and virtual case management services. Through online therapy and tech-based advocacy campaigns, social workers are expanding access to support services and health education for underserved populations.
Another field where social workers are increasingly valued is disaster relief and climate resilience. Social workers address the intersection of environmental issues and social justice by supporting communities affected by climate change and ecological degradation and advocating for sustainable policies. They are also critical to disaster relief teams, providing immediate support and post-event trauma counseling.
Building Expertise, Opening Doors: Why VCU M.S.W.
VCU’s M.S.W. Program prepares students to make a lasting impact in the communities they serve. The program is nationally recognized and accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), ensuring that it meets the highest standards of quality and rigor in social work education. It offers various learning pathways and two specializations (clinical social work and macro practice), allowing students to align their educational experience with their goals and study at a pace that suits their lifestyle and commitments.
The M.S.W. Program is available on-campus and online. The online option enables students to earn their degrees from anywhere in the U.S. while still benefiting from the expertise of faculty members and the opportunity to collaborate with their peers. Online students participate in local field placements where they apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
Social workers play a vital role in many industries, from education to health care and policy development to the corporate world. VCU’s M.S.W. Program can equip you with the knowledge and skills to compete in the expanding job market and build a rewarding career. Are you ready to take the next step? Contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about how the VCU M.S.W. can help prepare you for a meaningful career across sectors.