Explore different types of social work in MSW programs

Different kinds of social workers serve in various settings and roles. Discover the types of social work, licensing options, and levels of practice.

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A young mother getting assistance from a social worker in a government housing office.

Social workers contribute to society in various ways, helping individuals with their mental health, empowering communities, and advocating for policies that promote social justice. Explore different types of social work, educational pathways, and career paths in the field.

Levels of social work licensure

Licensed baccalaureate social worker

With a bachelor's degree, social workers can perform case management, community outreach, child welfare, and advocacy services. A licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW) might work in a government agency, nonprofit organization, or other non-clinical setting. Depending on your state, you may or may not need a license to practice social work at the bachelor's level.

LBSW scope of practice

Responsibilities of LBSWs include:

Connecting clients with resources and services.
Helping clients navigate social issues like poverty and homelessness.
Conducting home visits and coordinating child welfare cases.
Increasing awareness about social issues and advocating for policy change.
Advocating for client needs within the healthcare system.

How to become an LBSW

In order to become an LBSW, you will need to:

Earn a bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
Pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor's level exam, if required by your state's licensing board.
Apply for full LBSW licensure, if available and required by your state's licensing board.

Not all states have the same license requirements, so check with your state's professional licensing board to learn more about how to obtain LBSW licensure where you live.

Licensed master social worker

With a master's degree in social work (MSW), you can apply for an licensed master social worker (LMSW) license, or the equivalent, in your state. If you already hold a BSW degree, you may complete your MSW in less time as an advanced standing student.

LMSW scope of practice

An LMSW is a generalist who often works at the mezzo and macro practice levels of social work, or practices supervised clinical social work to meet their licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) licensing requirements.

Responsibilities of LMSWs include:

Community organizing.
Program evaluation.
Policy advocacy for social justice and systemic change.
Connecting individuals, families, and groups with community resources.
Program design and implementation to meet community needs.

How to become an LMSW

In order to become an LMSW, you will need to:

Earn an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
Pass the ASWB master's level licensing exam.
Apply for a limited license (LLMSW) from your state's professional licensing board, if applicable.
Pass the ASWB master's or advanced generalist exam.
Apply for full LMSW licensure.

Not all states have the same license requirements, so check with your state's professional licensing board to learn more about how to obtain LMSW licensure where you live.

Licensed clinical social worker

Licensed clinical social workers provide mental health care to individuals, families, and groups in a variety of settings, including inpatient and outpatient mental health clinics, substance use facilities, and private practice.

LCSW scope of practice

Responsibilities of LCSWs include:

Conducting mental health assessments.
Implementing evidence-based therapeutic interventions with clients.
Writing treatment plans.
Performing clinical documentation.
Facilitating group therapy sessions.
Providing couples or family therapy.
Treating substance use disorders.

How to become an LCSW

In order to become an LCSW, you will need to:

Earn an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
Pass the ASWB master's level licensing exam.
Apply for an LMSW license or your state's equivalent from your state's professional licensing board.
Complete the required number of hours of supervised clinical experience in the field, at the micro level of practice, under the supervision of a fully licensed LCSW.
Pass the ASWB clinical exam.
Apply for full LCSW licensure.

Not all states have the same license requirements, so check with your state's professional licensing board to learn more about how to obtain LCSW licensure where you live.

Levels of social work practice

Macro social work

Macro social work focuses on systemic change through policy development and advocacy, research, and collaboration with communities and governments. Social workers at this practice level might analyze policy to advocate for needed changes and legislation at all levels of government that are socially just and equitable.

Mezzo social work

Mezzo social work involves working with groups, organizations, and communities. As community organizers, social workers at the mezzo practice level bring group members together to assess the community's needs and empower the group to take action by facilitating discussions about possible solutions and how to enact meaningful change.

Micro social work

Micro social work supports individuals, couples, or families in clinical practice, providing evidence-based mental health support to address personal needs. Social workers at this level differ from other counselors by taking a person-in-environment perspective, keeping in mind the mezzo and macro level systems that impact the client and their specific situation.

Types of MSW degree specializations

Healthcare social work

Working in a medical setting, like a hospital or doctor's office, allows social workers to address the psychosocial needs of patients, connect them with housing, food, transportation, and counseling referrals, and advocate for their needs within the healthcare system.

Child and family social work

Child and family social workers specialize in supporting children and their caregivers. They might work as therapists, providing mental health counseling to children and parent guidance to caregivers, or as child advocates in the child welfare or foster care system.

School social work

School social workers provide individual therapy services to students with an individualized education plan (IEP) or 504 plan. They support children who have executive functioning challenges, social skills delays, anxiety, and other concerns that might interfere with their ability to function well at school. They also work to foster a positive school culture and provide assessment services as part of the IEP team.

Advocacy and community organizing

Community organizers work with communities to assess their needs and empower them to take the lead in enacting change. Social workers also work as advocates, identifying necessary policy changes and advocating for legislation that is equitable, socially just, and supported by research.

Forensic social work

Forensic social workers serve in the criminal justice system, providing individual or group counseling services to incarcerated people and offering trauma-informed psychosocial assessments to individuals convicted of crimes to inform the judge's determination. Forensic social workers sometimes serve as expert witnesses and collaborate with other members of the legal team.

Clinical social work

Clinical social workers provide evidence-based mental health care to individuals, couples, and families. They might work in an outpatient mental health clinic, inpatient psychiatric unit, or in private practice. Clinical social workers offer mental health assessment, psychoeducation, treatment, and evaluation services, and may also facilitate group therapy sessions.

International social work

International social workers advocate for human rights and social justice around the globe and collaborate with government and nonprofit entities in other countries to provide important services, such as counseling, education, and advocacy. They help refugees, survivors of gender-based violence, and people facing natural disasters.

Frequently asked questions

What degree is best for social work?

A BSW is best for those who want to perform entry-level social work, while an MSW will open additional opportunities to practice social work in a variety of settings, at the micro, mezzo, or macro level.

What is the highest-paid type of social worker?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare social workers earned the highest median annual wage of all social workers in 2024: $68,090. Social work salaries vary based on education, licensing, geographic location, and practice specialty.

What are the most common types of social workers?

According to the BLS, child, family, and school social workers are the most common types of social workers. They specialize in areas of practice, including child and family therapy, child welfare, and school social work.

Is there a high demand for social workers?

There is a high demand for social workers. The BLS projects positions for these professionals to grow by 6% between 2024 and 2034, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Given the cultural, economic, and societal challenges at the macro level that impact individuals, demand for these professionals will likely continue to grow.