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How to become a social worker guide

Written by Alyssa Middleton – Last updated: April 19, 2022

Social work is a challenging, yet rewarding, career field. No two days are the same, and there are always opportunities to learn more and expand your skills in order to best help your clients. Life as a social worker is anything but boring! However, becoming a social worker isn’t quite as simple as taking a few social work classes for your bachelor’s degree and then applying for a job. There are several other steps you need to take before becoming a professional social worker.

This page will provide a step-by-step guide on how you can become a social worker.

IN THIS GUIDE

  • What does a social worker do?
  • Get a BSW
  • MSW degree
  • Fieldwork requirements
  • Social work career paths
  • Social work licensing
  • Social worker salaries
  • Expert advice

What does a social worker do?

At its core, the field of social work focuses on helping others who are in need. This may be as simple as assisting someone in finding assistance to get food and pay their bills that month, or as complex as assisting a victim of a traumatic crime, providing therapy, educating and supporting them through the legal process as they seek justice.

The career field is incredibly varied, even for something that requires at least one dedicated college degree! Social workers assist individuals, families, and communities based on their areas of focus and specialized training. 

This means social workers are suitable for jobs including:

  • nonprofit organization administrators
  • school counselors 
  • addictions counselors
  • child welfare workers
  • community organizer
  • family therapist
  • And much, much more!

Social workers can find employment in a wide variety of institutions and organizations. They might work for nonprofit organizations, hospitals, or government agencies, or open up their own practices to assist clients on an individual basis. As a result, social work can be an extremely rewarding field, in large part because you can tailor your career to what you’re most interested in. 

Even within a certain area of interest, such as medical social work, there are numerous opportunities to further specialize such as working with patients with a specific disease, such as cancer. Even within that specialization, social workers can work directly with patients, or their family members, or supervise student social workers, or conduct research on interventions that best help patients and families, or even advocate for changes in policies and laws at a local, state, and national level.  The options can seem endless!

However, becoming a social worker requires a lot of hard work. Therefore, you should make sure you want to become some kind of social worker before committing to this path. It can take up to eight years of schooling and practical experience in the field before becoming an entry-level social worker.

Get a bachelor’s degree

The first step to becoming a social worker, in most cases, is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in the field. Note that you don’t necessarily need a bachelor’s degree in social work to become a licensed social worker (more on that later). But having a bachelor’s degree in social work specifically can provide you with a leg up when you get to the graduate level education part of the process.

Still, you can move onto the next step of graduate education with any kind of bachelor’s degree that is at least tangentially related to social work. For this reason, bachelor’s degrees in fields like communication, women’s studies, psychology, or sociology are also fine.

You can obtain either a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field using an online or on-campus program. You’ll want to work hard to maintain good grades throughout your entire schooling so that it’s easier for you to get admitted to a master’s level program and proceed with the next step.

If you do decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work, in addition to your general education requirements such as English, math and science, you’ll take classes in the following subjects, including:

  • human development
  • human behavior and social environment
  • social work practice techniques such as active listening, interviewing, etc. and
  • social welfare policies

There’s an additional advantage to focusing on a bachelor of social work as opposed to a general bachelor’s degree. A few schools offer an accelerated program, which allows students to complete both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work within five years instead of the regular six. This might be a great choice if you already know exactly what you want to do as a social worker. Still, this pathway requires fantastic grades, work experience and a lot of determination.

Obtain a master’s degree (MSW)

A master’s degree in social work, also called an MSW, is where things really get serious. A master’s degree in this field is a necessity if you want to obtain social worker licensure. Becoming a licensed clinical social worker is a requirement in many states in order to open private practice. 

Just as with bachelor’s degrees, there are a wide variety of both online and on-campus MSW programs for you to pursue. These range from state-level colleges and universities to Ivy League institutions. Regardless of which program you are considering, ensure that the social work program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE is the only organization to vet both BSW and MSW programs, and determine if the program meets the stringent requirements to become accredited. 

Accreditation confirms that the school has provided over a lengthy application and review process that they have the resources (with facilities, instructors and teaching methods and materials) that will adequately prepare students for the challenges they’ll experience in their social work career. Graduates can feel confident that they are truly prepared to enter the field.

You can earn a master’s in social work from a non-accredited program, but it can lead to some hardships if you later decide to obtain social work licensure or return to school to earn a doctorate in social work. Graduating from an accredited program is a requirement for both of these career paths. So it is best to confirm the program is already accredited before you apply and are admitted, in order to avoid having to retake classes or enter another program altogether if you want to become licensed or opt to earn a PhD in social work or a doctorate of social work (DSW) degree. 

One of the benefits to earning a BSW over another bachelor’s degree is that most social work programs offer advanced standing status to applicants with BSW degrees. This means that BSW graduates can essentially skip the first year of an MSW program and graduate in half the time as students with another bachelor’s degree. Advanced standing students earn an MSW degree in about a year, whereas traditional standing students (those without a BSW) need two years to complete the MSW. 

The above timeframes assume full-time enrollment. However, part-time studies are also available for most programs. This allows you to handle other family or work responsibilities alongside earning a degree. 

Courses in MSW programs include, but are not limited to:

  • Ethics
  • Social work practice methods
  • Social work theory
  • Research

Specialization classes are also taken, depending on the type of work the student is most interested in (working at the individual, family, community or national/international level) and/or specific populations of interest. 

Fieldwork requirements

Fieldwork or practicum hours are another graduation requirement for CSWE-accredited programs. This is when a student works in an approved agency under the supervision of an MSW-educated social worker in order to gain hands-on experience in the field. MSW students complete anywhere from 600-1000 hours of practicum during their program.

This provides excellent experience in the field and the ability to be trained with real clients by an actual social worker. Here you are able to practice your budding social work skills since you’ll apply what you’re learning in class and directly apply those lessons to real-world situations. Fieldwork can also help you narrow down the areas in which you’d like to practice after graduation. In some cases, fieldwork can also identify which populations or settings you definitely do not want to work in.

Fieldwork placements are typically in a local agency. If you are attending classes in-person, the program will likely have a long list of approved agencies from which you can apply to complete your practicum hours. If you are enrolled in an online program, you may need to do some legwork to identify potential agencies in your community, and work with the school to get their program and agency approved. 

Once placed in a practicum setting, you will spend a few hours at the organization every week over the course of the semester. Some placements are for an entire school year, so be sure to confirm if this will be a semester or year-long placement before agreeing to complete your hours there. 

If you are undecided about a career path, it may be better to complete two practicum placements at separate settings in order to gain experience with different populations. If you know for sure that you want to become a school social worker, then completing a year-long placement at a school makes the most sense and will provide the necessary experience. 

Graduation from a CSWE-accredited program requires successful completion of all coursework, sometimes with a specific grade point average (GPA) and successful completion of fieldwork hours. 

After graduation, you are eligible to enter the workforce as a social worker. Your first position will likely be one with ever-increasing tasks and responsibilities as you gain experience. You will not be able to provide therapeutic services to clients until you are licensed in your state to do so. This is a process that cannot be started until after your graduation from an accredited MSW program. This guide will review the process of applying for social work licensure in detail in just a bit.

You’ll either complete your fieldwork requirements as part of your accredited MSW program or you’ll need to finish those fieldwork hours on your own time. These are creditable hours where you visit a clinic or another social work location and are supervised as you perform practical duties and learn how to “be” a social worker. Many other medical fields have similar requirements in order for their professionals to acquire licensure.

Fieldwork will usually take place at a facility that is geographically close to your school. If you take an online program, you’ll normally be given a choice of several nearby facilities that you can commute to on certain days of the week for a few hours each time.

As mentioned, traditional MSW programs will include fieldwork hours over several days throughout the week during both years of your studies. The program is also usually tailored to whatever state requirements demand for fieldwork hours.

Again, consider what kind of fieldwork you complete or what field hours to sign up for, as these can affect what social worker specialty you want to focus on.

Select a career path

Once you’ve graduated with your MSW, you can then pursue employment as a social worker. There are several career paths available to you based on your prior education, your personal interests and experience. Below are just a few examples.

  • Macro social work – this type of social work focuses on creating policy changes for communities, regions, states and even nationwide. If you want to affect social work change in a legislative context or influence governors, representatives, and other politicians, you’ll likely want to pursue this field. It’s also a viable path if you want to lead a nonprofit social work organization at some point.
  • Medical social work – many hospitals and medical centers need social workers. In this setting and career path, you’ll help families and support various patients during immediate crises and the aftermath. For instance, you can help patients awaiting an organ transplant to deal with their current health crises, to process the emotions that are experienced during this time, support the patients’ caregivers, and ensure the patient has the supports in place to return home after they have received the new organ and recovered from the transplant surgery. Medical social work has some similarities to clinical counseling, which is discussed later, although it focuses less on diagnosing and treating mental illnesses or dysfunctions.
  • School social work – this is the career path for you if you want to become a school counselor. You’ll work directly with young people and their families, as well as school staff to assist with conflict mediation, bullying prevention, and improving the mental health of students.
  • Clinical social work – you can start your own practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). In this setting, you’ll help patients one-on-one and assist them in dealing with mental illnesses, individual or family conflict, etc. You can work with individuals, couples, families, and groups as a licensed clinical social worker.

Get your state license

State licensure requirements vary from state to state. Obtaining a state social work license enhances the perception of professionalism and provides accountability. The primary requirements include:

  • a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
  • either two years of full-time supervised work or a set number of supervised clinical experience
  • passing a licensure exam

Clinical licensure

You need to obtain clinical licensure if you want to become an LCSW or licensed clinical social worker. As the name suggests, a clinical social worker is someone who is licensed to provide clinical therapeutic services to their clients. This includes psychotherapy, general counseling, and other social work where the goal is to directly help an individual person, family, or small group. 

Say that you want to become a school counselor or run your own private social work practice. You’ll need a clinical social worker license in this case.

Can you achieve licensure for lower education requirements?

Yes. Licensure is available for bachelor’s level-educated social workers, but is extremely limited in the type of work that can be done. For instance, you can become a licensed social worker associate provided you have an associate degree in social work and have completed 1,000 hours of board-approved education in social work. This type of licensure may allow you to get certain entry-level jobs in social work, but you’ll eventually need additional education and training to become a “real” social worker. 

This level of licensure is not available in all states, and the license may not be transferable if you were to move to another state.  Additionally, these lower education level licenses don’t allow you to open your own practice and help patients individually.

Supervision

Supervision entails working with a licensed clinical social worker to provide guidance and feedback on building your social work skills. Sometimes this occurs at no cost at your job, but oftentimes is completed outside of your place of employment. Clinical supervisors can charge a flat weekly fee for supervision, but most charge on an hourly basis, with fees of up to $100/hour of supervision. 

Supervision requires meeting with the social worker both individually and in group settings to talk about your work, role playing to develop specific skills and processing the emotions that often arise from working with clients who are struggling through some very difficult situations. Supervisors can give insight on a variety of areas including, but not limited to:

  • special techniques to use with difficult clients
  • where to get additional training on specific social work interventions or therapeutic modalities
  • evaluating your self-awareness skills to ensure you’re not headed for burnout and 
  • how to prepare for licensure exams

Required supervision hours vary from state to state. In Kentucky, for example, supervision must total a minimum of 200 hours, which includes individual supervision of no less than 2 hours every 2 weeks during clinical social work practice. California’s requirements include 3,000 hours of supervised experience over a minimum of 104 weeks before being eligible to apply for the licensing exam. ​

Most clinical supervisors charge by the hour to supervise you and your work. Be sure to budget for this expense.

The licensure exam

The licensure test requirements and exact content will vary from state-to-state However, most of the tests are pretty similar to one another, and non-state-specific study guides are available to help you prepare for the exam.

Before registering for the exam, you must submit an application and the requisite application fee to the state licensing board. The application will include documentation that you have completed all of their requirements prior to sitting for the exam. This includes transcripts from your accredited MSW program, documentation from the social worker providing your supervision, criminal background check results, references and any other items the state requires. At least one reference must be from someone already licensed as a social worker (often this is the social worker who provided your supervision hours).

After your application is approved by the state licensing board, you’ll be able to take the test after registering for an approved date and licensed testing location, and paying the exam fee. Testing locations are typically found at local universities or community testing centers.

The Massachusetts exam, for example, consists of a four-hour, multiple-choice test with 170 questions. The exam fee currently is $260. Provided that you pass the test, you will owe the state another $82 in licensure fees. Your LCSW license will arrive by mail shortly thereafter and you’ll then be officially licensed to practice clinical social work within the state of Massachusetts.

What about transferring my license to another state?

If you want to practice social work in a state other than the one in which you currently have licensure, you’ll need to take another licensure exam for that state. There is a national licensing exam which is recognized by most states, but this process requires an additional application and fees.

You can obtain your education for social work anywhere — the only thing that matters for state licensure is where you take the test. This is because each state has slight differences in application and exam requirements.

Licensure renewal

Even after obtaining your license for the first time, you’ll need to periodically renew the license. The purpose of this is to ensure that all licensed social workers remain up-to-date on current best practices for the field. The requirements for continuing education will vary from state to state. Regardless of the number of continuing education credit hours required each year, you’ll need to renew your social work license every two years. You can find more about the exact licensure renewal requirements by visiting the National Association of Social Workers website.

What can social workers expect to make?

Social workers provide innumerable benefits to society, and they enjoy a generally positive employment outlook as a result. Let’s break down what you can expect to make as a social worker across several different possible careers:

General social worker – According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, generalist social workers make an average salary of around $51,760 each year. This is close to the national average, and this career encompasses a wide variety of social work positions. Furthermore, the career field is estimated to grow at a much faster rate than average: 12 percent over the next 10 years. This translates to another 89,200 jobs by 2030. This indicates that the field of social work provides great job security and at a strong salary. 

Marriage or family therapist – This type of social worker focuses on helping families and married couples negotiate through problems, deal with mental health crises, and strengthen their relationships. Many of them may work in private practices or in mental health centers. They earn an average salary of around $51,340 per year as well. Therapists who are licensed and own their own practices can earn well over this amount. This field is expected to grow by about 16 percent over the next 10 years. 

School and career counselor – These professionals work at schools, colleges, and career centers to help students and adults develop the skills and tools they need to succeed. They can help people figure out what career path is right for them, leading to more enriching lives overall. Additionally, school career counselors can help younger students in the day-to-day with bullying or social pressure. School and career counselors make an average of $58,120 every year and job growth in this field is likely to expand by 11 percent over the next 10 years. 

Social and Community Service Managers – These social workers focus more on communities and helping nonprofit organizations. They can assist with building and running social service programs, help communities set up their own support systems, and serve as local government leaders. Such individuals make an average of $69,600 every year and are set to grow by about 15 percent over the next 10 years.

As you can see, virtually every imaginable career path for a social worker leads to financial stability and excellent job prospects. You’ll almost certainly have to start at the bottom of the career ladder wherever you end up employed, unless you had a stellar practicum or gained valuable work experience in the field in between your bachelor and masters degrees.

Regardless, there should be a lot of room to move up in the social work sphere over the next decade. This is great for job security overall; more social workers will be needed rather than fewer, so there should always be an opportunity to improve your practice, earn more money, and/or get a promotion.

Summary

So, all in all, these are the steps you need to take to become a social worker:

  • Obtain a bachelor’s degree in either social work or a related field
  • Obtain a master’s of social work (MSW), which includes a minimum number of fieldwork hours
  • Apply for jobs and gain experience
  • Complete supervision while working and preparing for the state licensure exam
  • Pay the necessary fees and pass your state’s licensure exam 
  • Start applying for jobs within the state you’re licensed for
  • Maintain licensure by completing continuing education hours and any other requirements set forth by the state licensing board

Becoming a social worker requires navigating through a long and rigorous process designed to ensure that only the best trained and experienced social workers serve individuals, families, communities, and the nation. But it’s all worthwhile in the end – if you can make it through all these requirements, you’ll qualify for jobs that are stable, well-paying, and satisfying on a personal level.

Being a social worker isn’t just about a decent paycheck. It’s about helping others and enriching your community through care, attention, and education and feeling a great sense of personal accomplishment and pride in the career field that you’ve chosen. We hope you’ll consider pursuing the challenging and rewarding field of social work as your career!

Expert advice on becoming a social worker

  1. What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?
  2. What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?
  3. If you had to break all of social work down into fundamental skills, what would they be?

Janice Carello
Assistant professor and MSW program director for the social work department at Edinboro University
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Lisa Hosack
Associate professor and director of the social work program at Grove City College
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Melissa Milliorn
Department head and professor of social work at Hardin-Simmons University
Read More
Megan Callahan Sherman
Chairperson and assistant professor of social work at Georgian Court University
Read More
Dr. Erica Brown-Meredith
Assistant professor of social work, Longwood University
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Debra Minsky-Kelly
Professor of social work, Carthage College
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Libby Lyons
Social work program director, Fontbonne University
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Edward Hernandez
Associate professor and chair of social work, Medgar Evers College
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Sam Terrazas
Department chair and professor of social work, University of Texas Permian Basin
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Michael Clarkson-Hendrix
Social work program director, The State University of New York at Fredonia
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Portia L. Cole, PhD, MSW
Associate Professor and Director of Field Education, Virginia Union University
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Warren Miller
Assistant professor, Rhode Island College School of Social Work
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Dr. A. Christopher Hayden
Associate Professor of Social Work, Kentucky State University
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Taylor Ellis, Ph.D., LGSW
Assistant professor, Jacksonville State University
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Grace Loudd
Assistant Professor of Social Work, Texas Southern University
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Jill Russett
Director of field education, associate professor, School of Social Work, Christopher Newport University
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Kelly Sullivan
Director BSW program and Professor of Practice, Anna Maria College
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Debbi DiGennaro
Social work instructor, Eastern Mennonite University
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Hayley Stokar
Assistant Professor and BSW Program Director, Gallaudet University
Read More

Janice Carello

Assistant professor and MSW program director for the social work department at Edinboro University

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

One of the most important things for social work students to be aware of is the power that comes with being a social worker. As a student sitting behind the desk or screen and struggling to juggle homework, fieldwork, and other responsibilities, it can be hard to feel empowered. Especially for MSW students who plan to become licensed, however, it is essential to be aware of the impact that social work has on people’s lives and to engage in ongoing assessment of our individual and collective practices to help ensure they are, in fact, in the best interests of others. To be effective change agents, I encourage social work students to reflect upon two important questions: “How will I use my voice?” and “How will I amplify the voices of others, especially those that have been marginalized and oppressed?”

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

Most social worker students I know entered this field because they want to make a positive difference in the lives of others. To accomplish this, social workers must learn how to effect change at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. One of the most useful, challenging, and rewarding ways that social work students learn to become change agents is through the field education experience. Field education not only teaches about change processes but also functions as a change process itself to help students develop a professional identity as a social worker.

How is the field of social work changing?

As a field, social work is going through its own change processes. One of the major changes we are undertaking is becoming more aware of the widespread prevalence and impact of individual, collective, and cultural trauma in our world and the disproportionate impact of systemic and structural violence and victimization on marginalized individuals and groups. We are working to identify and redress ways in which the profession inadvertently perpetuates the forms of oppression it seeks to eradicate. We are striving to not only teach about diversity, inclusion, and equity but also to become more diverse, inclusive, and equitable as a profession.
Another way the social work field is changing is through digital technology. Internet and digital communication technologies are now a fundamental part of our world. Since social work is a profession that assesses and assists people in the context of their environments, today’s social work trainees must develop digital literacy skills to practice in physical and virtual environments both competently and ethically.

Lisa Hosack

Associate professor and director of the social work program at Grove City College

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

The need for holistic preparation that involves knowledge and skills, but also examination of one’s own places of strength and weakness, wounding and healing.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

BSW/MSW programs that include the holistic preparation that I briefly describe above.

How is the field of social work changing?

I think it will continue to change with the demographic changes domestically. People versed in work with older adults as well as those bilingual in Spanish must grow among our ranks.

Melissa Milliorn

Department head and professor of social work at Hardin-Simmons University

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

Awareness of self is the most important aspect for preparing for a career in social work. Everything about you as a unique individual person with lived experiences has an impact on how you serve others in a professional helping relationship. Be willing to dig deep and do the work to know yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, bias and prejudices, and never stop striving to be the best version of yourself.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

Social work is holistic, integrating evidence-based knowledge, values and ethics, competency-based skills, and cognitive and effective processes. Training that considers all aspects of social work generalist practice is the most useful to keep professionals grounded in the basics. Too many times we as professionals get so focused on our specialized areas of practice, we make the work more complex and complicated than it has to be….keep it simple and return to the basics of holistic practice.

How is the field of social work changing?

There are new fields of practice beginning in areas people often do not think about social work. For example, social work in sports and veterinarian social work are two that come to mind. Social work is also moving toward more advanced, higher education by seeking accreditation of doctoral level social work education as a terminal degree. Currently a master’s degree is considered a terminal degree in the field, but that is changing. Another area of potential change is nationally recognized licensure. Currently each state in America has their own licensing practices. Some states have multiple levels of licensure including baccalaureate, masters, special recognition, and clinical social work licensing. Other states only recognize one license as an LSW or LCSW. This inconsistency from state to state is problematic for the profession, and something that professional Social Work Associations such as ASWB, CSWE, and NASW are looking at.

Megan Callahan Sherman

Chairperson and assistant professor of social work at Georgian Court University

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

Relationships matter! This profession is all about how we engage with others. Our professional interactions include clients, colleagues, communities, and the various systems we need to navigate. As with all successful relationships, we must come to the work from a place of empathy, compassion, and respect. Equally important is our commitment to social justice and advancement of equality for all people.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

We have this saying in social work education, “Practicum as signature pedagogy.” Social work educators understand the significance of a student’s internship experience and the importance of effectively connecting classroom and field. Students gain academic knowledge in class and have the ability for the practical application of these skills during the practicum. The field experience also provides an opportunity to better assess the student’s readiness for practice.

How is the field of social work changing?

The profession is becoming more global which I think is amazing! Our international collaborations are growing, and more and more students have the opportunity for international study and employment.
I have observed a shift throughout the course of my career from a micro perspective to a more macro focus. When I was in graduate school most students pursued the clinical track hoping to become a therapist and work with individuals, groups, and families. Now I have an increasing number of students choosing careers in policy development, government, and community activism. It is quite interesting and, in my opinion, exactly what the world needs right now, more social workers in large-scale decision-making roles.

Dr. Erica Brown-Meredith

Assistant professor of social work, Longwood University

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

There are a couple of things that social work students should be aware of while they are preparing for career, which include:

Developing relationships that can be used for collaboration, networking, resource building based on your professional interest and surveying peers who have strengths in leadership areas or fields of service.

Attend professional conferences and gain at least five professional contacts entering the field.
Join professional organizations prior to graduation to get the student rate for a year and find ways to join the membership team or join committees.

Locate a person in the field (i.e. professor, presenter at a conference, director of an agency etc.) and consider a mentor request, so you can develop your skill-set and reach professional goals.

Make a career plan and profile to ensure you are staying “true” to your goals.

During your internships experience, determine the specialty or expertise of your supervisor and ask them to train you specifically on that skill.

Have at least 3-5 theories that relate to social work and diverse groups and know them for practice, application, and assessment purposes.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

The most useful training for social workers is cultural competence, how to complete a biopsychosocial, trauma-informed care practices, and communication skills.

How is the field of social work changing?

The field is changing in terms of technology, as you need to be versed in your digital platforms. There is limited tolerance for racism and sexism and understanding one’s privilege and positionality is important. This is a generation of action and activism, maintaining the status quo is not acceptable and you will be “called out.”

If you had to break all of social work down into fundamental skills, what would they be?

Interdisciplinary acuteness

What does the future of social work look like?

Transformational leadership, advocacy, and social justice.

Debra Minsky-Kelly

Professor of social work, Carthage College

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

I think the most important thing for social work students to be aware of is our profession’s commitment to social justice. We can take pride in this value that uniquely defines our profession and calls us to continuously uplift the voices of those in our communities who are oppressed or marginalized. The SW profession has never been more relevant or necessary in addressing the complex problems that are facing our world

How is the field of social work changing?

I believe that technology has changed every profession in dramatic ways. However, the importance of human relationships must never be replaced by technology. I have read that the social work profession is the least likely to be automated for this reason – human beings are necessary to do this work. While technology has undoubtedly changed the ways we do our work, it is imperative that we continue to ground our practice in relationship-based interventions. It is only in the context of supportive relationships that human problems can be effectively addressed.

Libby Lyons

Social work program director, Fontbonne University

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

The most important thing for students to be aware of as they prepare for their career is to be aware of themselves. Meaning, their ethics, self-awareness, CSWE competencies, and awareness of their skills. It’s important that social workers know themselves before they go into the workforce.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

In the current environment, I believe the best training social workers can receive is one that includes diversity, case management (because all levels of social work includes this), health, social and economic justice, and training on real-world experiences.

How is the field of social work changing?

The field of social work is changing where more awareness is being brought to new issues. New field options that were not available to social workers 20 years ago, are now options for those entering the field. Areas such as, environmentalism, criminal justice/working with police, and new technologies and intelligence.

Edward Hernandez

Associate professor and chair of social work, Medgar Evers College

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

Social work is a diverse profession. Social workers do many things and can be found in many settings. There is no typical social work role. Social work is about partnerships, they don’t fix “broken” people, they help people along a path of self-determination in resolving issues that impact their lives. Social environments must be considered in providing assessment and assistance. Social workers need to understand their values and ensure that they don’t interfere with helping others. Social workers must be good at developing relationships with clients and others. Resources are a key tool and social workers must be good at cultivating resources. Social work is a profession, many others can do the various things that social workers do, but social workers have the skills and training to put it all together.

How is the field of social work changing?

The versatile nature of social work provides social workers with more and more opportunities. The roles of counseling and case management in the traditional micro roles have morphed in more problem-solving roles. School systems now see the need for social workers to help with student and family situations. The nature of mental illness and policing have defined roles for social workers to best respond to certain situations. Social workers are becoming more involved with policy by a range of activities from advocating on policy issues and providing professional input to activism and to be more vocal about necessary policy changes. With people more and more divided on a number of issues social workers need to be more aware of policy and the policy process. No longer can social workers avoid policy or they open themselves up to be victims of the policies that come down.

If you had to break all of social work down into fundamental skills, what would they be?

No matter what area of social work that you choose, people skills are the most important. The first work in social work is social. A social worker must be able to engage people and groups at all levels. Developing partnerships with clients and others is the key to getting results. Listening skills are important, not just listening but active listening to get clarity and cooperation. Advocacy skills are important as well. Social workers are often the voice of the voiceless, there is a need to engage in policy work to change unfair systems and achieve social justice. Self-assessment and self-evaluation skills round out the basics. Social workers must be able to constantly evaluate our practice and make adjustments, learning is an ongoing process. As a professional we can never be complacent in the skill set that we have developed.

What does the future of social work look like?

The future of social work is evolving. The unique skill set in the social work profession make social workers useful in a number of situations. Traditional social work roles will still be there. However, social workers can play key roles in emerging situations. Social workers provide vital services during the pandemic. Social workers can play a vital role in revising policing responses. Social workers need to be involved in the changing policy that impacts the clients and systems that we deal with. The social work profession has the skills that will make it a valuable asset to the issues that impact and will impact, in the future, people and society.

Sam Terrazas

Department chair and professor of social work, University of Texas Permian Basin

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

The most important thing for social work students to be aware of as they prepare for a career in social work is they are entering a profession that will require lifelong learning and professional growth. The concept meta-competency best reflects the importance of a strong commitment to continuing education beyond licensure requirements. Meta competency is having the insight and knowledge about your professional limitations to identify what you don’t know. This insight usually drives social workers to seek additional training and education in areas they come to understand they have limited competency.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

The professional context and auspices where social workers are employed is very diverse, so I don’t know that there is a most useful training. I believe an effective training method for social workers to learn or hone practice skills is live supervision or simulations. Training that places the social worker in a live situation where they can receive real time feedback, corrections or insights. At the University of Texas Permian Basin Department of Social Work we are integrating simulations in dedicated labs beginning in the Fall of 2021 that will prepare students for direct practice. We will also be testing the use of real time data to enhance students’ skills in assessment and rapport building.

How is the field of social work changing?

Social work is changing in the use of distance technologies, where the client and the social worker are in different physical spaces. I also believe social work is changing in the fundamental values that define our profession by allowing personal biases to guide who will become a client. For example, Texas tried to change the rules that govern professional social workers to allow them to deny services to LGBTQ and people with disabilities. This rule change was abruptly reversed but does suggest concerning trends in the profession. The social work profession is rooted in social justice and a professional value that all people have worth and should be treated with dignity, without judgment.

Michael Clarkson-Hendrix

Social work program director, The State University of New York at Fredonia

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

In my opinion, the most important thing for social work students to be aware of is that they should consider both their short- and long-term career plans. In my experience, many social work students prepare for careers in clinical social work practice without recognizing that within the first five to ten years of their career many of them will transition into supervisory or administrative roles. I would encourage students to pursue knowledge in clinical practice alongside building their capacity to provide supervision and manage and develop programs.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

The most useful training for social workers is the field practicum experience. As the signature pedagogy of social work, the ability to integrate coursework alongside day-to-day practice is an invaluable starting place for a social work career.

How is the field of social work changing?

Probably not surprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the integration of technology within social work practice although this had been occurring on a smaller scale pre-pandemic. Technology not only includes flourishing telehealth services, but social work is also integrating apps more frequently, especially in clinical social work practice. Additionally, the field of social work appears to be in the midst of a new cycle of the integration between its social science and ethical orientations that is spurring a larger number of social workers towards socio-political action alongside clinical practice.

Portia L. Cole, PhD, MSW

Associate Professor and Director of Field Education, Virginia Union University

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

It is helpful for social workers to have training in nonprofit management, graphic design (example: producing an infographic for dissemination to underserved communities about understanding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy), and knowledge of trauma informed therapies.

How is the field of social work changing?

The field is changing as it is critical for social workers to be “politically savvy” and intentional engagement in legislative processes at the federal and state levels of government. The social work profession is incorporating public health concepts into curricula and media campaigns. Direct social work practice with individuals, groups, and families is recognizing the need to understand social determinants of health, the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and strategies to address compassion fatigue/burnout among social work professionals.

What does the future of social work look like?

Given the growing recognition of dual degrees such as MSW-MPA (public administration), MSW-MPH (public health), MSW-M.Div. (divinity) and MSW-JD (law), it is almost certain that there will be an increased presence of social workers in health care, the courts, religious institutions, small business and large corporations. Social workers will be working in non-traditional social work settings and add tremendous value due to an exceptional understanding of human behavior in the social environment coupled with strong training in research methods.

If you had to choose one or two books, articles, documentaries, podcasts, etc. to be included on a required reading list for social work students, what would it be?

I Recommend “Unapologetically Unashamed” TEDxWillowCreek Talk by Ronne Brown. It’s about the journey of a teen mother who transformed her life and is now a successful entrepreneur.

Warren Miller

Assistant professor, Rhode Island College School of Social Work

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

One of the most essential areas to focus and be aware of is the conscious use of self. Social work is a profession and field that utilizes various tools, including the personal values, lived experiences, and biases of the worker. Therefore, it is important to understand yourself in ways that will allow you to be a positive guiding force for the clients and systems you will encounter. Understanding how to successfully merge your personal with your professional is pivotal in becoming an ethical social worker. Actively working to understand how you present or show-up in the room with your clients and how that impacts them will help you have a long lasting career in being a change agent.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

The most useful training for social workers are ethics and self-care. The social work profession requires licensed social workers to continue to receive education as long as they are licensed at any level. One of the required trainings in every state is professional ethics. Ethics is essential to developing social workers that will go out and work hard to do no harm to clients, community, and the broader society. The National Association of Social Work (professional social work organization) recently revised the national code of ethics that added language around self-care. I think it is important for ethical social workers to get training and practice self-care. We work in areas that expose us to primary, secondary, and tertiary trauma. We must remain vigilant about caring for ourselves to be available for our clients. Self-care is ethical social work. Social workers should prioritize self-care training.

How is the field of social work changing?

Technology! I am a bit biased about this because my research and practice area is around utilizing technology in social work practice, education, and training. Our field has grown exponentially in the past 10 years. Technology has served as a catalyst for growth. The profession is changing the traditional ways we look at providing services, educate social work students, conduct social research, and more with technology. So, it is my belief that we will be seeing more integration of various structures of technology (i.e., artificial intelligence, computer science, predictive technology) with social work as we progress. This type of work has (and will continue to) shift the boundaries and traditional roles as we know them.

If you had to break all of social work down into fundamental skills, what would they be?

Communicative, empathetic, warmth, genuine, advocator, critical thinking, and innovative.

If you had to choose one or two books, articles, documentaries, podcasts, etc. to be included on a required reading list for social work students, what would it be?

Oh my! So many. However, if students were planning to go the clinical route in social work, I would certainly recommend The Gift of Therapy by Irvin Yalom. Another book that is beneficial for every human being, but extremely recommended for individuals taking a journey through social work is The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck.

Dr. A. Christopher Hayden

Associate Professor of Social Work, Kentucky State University

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

The social work profession is rewarding, yet challenging. Social work practitioners can have an indelible impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. However, social work students need to be cognizant that the work they do in helping others is not easy and, sometimes, the work can have an emotional toll. Burnout is not uncommon in the helping professions. Social work students need to learn how to recognize it and how to incorporate self-care as they help others.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

Social work encompasses practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Social work practice, therefore, is varied, and there is a range of opportunities for concentration or specialization. However, regardless, all social workers share fundamental core values of the profession, and it is these core values that drive social work practice. The most useful training for social workers is to understand the practitioner’s ethical responsibilities.

How is the field of social work changing?

As society changes, social workers adapt and apply their knowledge and skills in helping others to also adapt. Our global society experienced sudden change in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the challenges society will face long-term as a consequence remain unknown. Yet, social workers are prepared to confront these challenges. The future of social work practice will undoubtedly include growth in private practice, increased use of technology in practice, and growth in international social work.

If you had to break all of social work down into fundamental skills, what would they be?

Social work focuses on helping people strengthen their social functioning. Social work practitioners need a repertoire of skills to understand people, the issues they are experiencing, and the resources to help them to resolve those issues. Thus, social work practitioners must be people-oriented, effective communicators, and possess strong assessment and problem-solving skills.

If you had to choose one or two books…

There are many useful sources of information for social work students, and it would be difficult to choose only one or two of them. It really depends on a student’s practice area interests. My practice has generally focused on child welfare. One book (adapted into a movie) I would recommend for social work students interested in this area is Finding Fish: A Memoir by Antwone Q. Fisher. I would encourage students to read a lot and often—as much as they can about their practice area interests.

Taylor Ellis, Ph.D., LGSW

Assistant professor, Jacksonville State University

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

The most important thing for social work students to be aware of are the opportunities they are not looking for. I personally never considered a doctorate or primarily working in program evaluation. I always wanted to do direct practice. However, I am so thankful for where my journey has led me and the opportunities I have had, despite not looking how I thought they would.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

I believe that the most useful training for social workers is anything pertaining to trauma. Whether that is the effects of it or becoming more trauma informed. Trauma, big and small, affects everyone and is typically a major reason that client is seeing you (child removal, all types of abuse, substance dependence, etc.).

How is the field of social work changing?

The field is changing because society is beginning to see the utility of our profession in various spaces. Over the past few years, we have seen increased initiatives from our national organizations and within communities to develop inter-disciplinary practices and approaches to issues. Therefore, social work is becoming a more sought out and respected profession.

If you had to break all of social work down into fundamental skills, what would they be?

Empathy and education.

What does the future of social work look like?

Creative. We are in a time where, as a society, we are doing a lot of re-evaluating, and the issues of our time are very complex. I tell my students all the time, complex problems require creative solutions. Therefore, I hope that we begin to embrace our traditions and engage with communities to learn from them so that we can be able to better assist in the growth and change process.

If you had to choose one or two books, articles, documentaries, podcasts, etc. to be included on a required reading list for social work students, what would it be?

Comfort M. (2012). It Was Basically College to Us Poverty, Prison, and Emerging Adulthood. Journal of poverty, 16(3), 308–322. https://doi.org/10.1080/10875549.2012.695923
Jarecki, E. & Shopsin, M. (2012). The House I Live In: America’s War on Drugs [Motion Picture]. United States: Charlotte Street Films
Jaacks, J. & Santa Fe Indian School (2012). Moccasins and Microphones [Motion Picture]. United States: EPF Media, Inc.

Grace Loudd

Assistant Professor of Social Work, Texas Southern University

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

One thing I think is important for students to be aware of as they prepare for a social work career is just how valuable their education and training is for being able to diversify themselves within the field. Being educated in generalist practices develops the types of skill sets that transfer across multiple settings. Professionals who choose to specialize can still find themselves engaging a variety of different populations, contexts, or professional development that they are just as successful in because of the generalist foundational training received. The need for being able to diversify is becoming more and more relevant in our current social climate.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

Training that focuses on strengthening one’s cultural competency is very useful. Cultural competent practice is applicable for the individuals we serve, the organizations we work within, and even larger institutions such as local, state and federal government.

How is the field of social work changing?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts steady growth in the demand for social work-related services over the next decade which I think speaks to the value of the work we do. I also think the field is changing to accommodate new modes of engaging individuals especially around telehealth with regard to persistent health disparities. With consistent technological advances always underfoot, we should constantly expect and welcome ongoing change.

If you had to break all of social work down into fundamental skills, what would they be?

Assessment, communication, advocacy, and interdependence.

What does the future of social work look like?

I would say the future of social work looks like more female social workers in administrative/executive positions and increasingly representative of the people we serve.

Jill Russett

Director of field education, associate professor, School of Social Work, Christopher Newport University

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

One thing I have found with new social work majors, especially those who have stumbled upon this career unintentionally, is they are surprised by the vast array of job experiences available. When preparing for a career in social work, keep this in mind, the opportunities are endless. While you may be interested in a particular area or focus in social work, remember the foundational skills you learn will carry you through a multitude of careers. Keep an open mind and try new things, you never know where you may land.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

Personally, as a specialist in the area of substance use disorders, I don’t think we give enough attention to training in this field. Substance abuse and substance use disorders impacts a vast majority of the individuals we serve, either directly or indirectly, or both. We see this at the micro, mezzo, and macro level where substance use has been connected to child abuse and neglect, intimate partner violence, crime, physical and mental health, prevention and education in the school systems, and at its most central level of treatment and recovery services. The number of individuals impacted is growing exponentially, most recently with the opioid epidemic declared a public health crisis.

How is the field of social work changing?

Even before the pandemic, telebehavioral health was emerging as a viable option to provide services. The use of technology integrated into social work practice has grown exponentially and is continuing to transform the way social workers do business. Now, after a year of operating during a pandemic under, the field has learned how to integrate the use of virtual platforms to facilitate groups, conduct assessments, provide education and more. While these methods may not remain a primary means of use, they will provide further opportunities for access and availability of services.

If you had to break all of social work down into fundamental skills, what would they be?

While not a fundamental skill, a primary perspective is to “start where the client is.” This understanding is so valuable in the work we do and reminds us not to rush the process or place unrealistic expectations on our clients. It also serves as a reminder that progress is incremental and change takes time. One framework that illustrates this best is the Transtheoretical Model of Change (Stages of Change) developed by Prochaska and DiClemente in the late 1970s. “Starting where the client is” lets us know which skills will be most effective in that moment.

Kelly Sullivan

Director BSW program and Professor of Practice, Anna Maria College

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

To be open-minded, be intentional and be present and to really pay attention to the art of active listening. Be willing to go outside of our comfort zone!! I like to tell my students that what we see and hear in the field of social work can be really hard and daunting, but we also see perseverance and success. I find it an honor and privilege to be part of a client(s) journey on their hardest days and on their best days.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

Honestly, there are so many things that come to mind but in light of this past 18 months of COVID 19. I would say self-care is more than ever and being trained in the new and improved world of tele-health. Documentation is an area that I see most emerging social workers struggle with, learning to go from writing papers in school to clinical documentation and a more poised professional writing skills. I would be remiss not to mention professional boundary setting — this is crucial to the work we do as social workers!

How is the field of social work changing?

The field of social work changes frequently, we have to adapt and be prepared to work in a world that is ever-changing. Our trajectory changes with the climate in our communities, states, country and world! The past 18 months have challenged the best of social workers but we emerge with new models and methods of care amidst a worldwide pandemic and have now grown our best practice standard of care to acclimate to a world of challenges we never imagined!

Debbi DiGennaro

Social work instructor, Eastern Mennonite University

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

I believe in the practicum experience as the single most useful pedagogical event. In the practicum setting, students move back and forth between practice and reflection/theory more vigorously than at any other time in their education.

If you had to break all of social work down into fundamental skills, what would they be?

The image that comes to mind is a spinning merry-go-round. As a child, I remember the careful calculations that went into leaping onto the merry-go-round at the perfect time — one second too soon or too late and you bash in your teeth. Social work is like that. We’re stepping into people’s lives during times of chaos. We have to approach it the right way, with some assertiveness but not too much, with some solutions in mind but also great curiosity about the clients’ ideas, with some softness but also a great deal of mettle of our own.

Good social workers are not afraid to jump on to this merry-go-round, but they are also wise enough to pay very close attention…and when, for whatever reason, it’s going faster than you can handle, you save your teeth and walk away.

Hayley Stokar

Assistant Professor and BSW Program Director, Gallaudet University

What do you think is the most important thing for social work students to be aware of while they prepare for a career in social work?

Social work is a versatile field, so social work education builds a strong generalist foundation. You may find yourself interested in community-based case management, then shift to mental health counseling or social policy advocacy later in your career. Your degree will give you the tools to grow and adapt to all of the contexts in which you choose to serve.

What do you think is the most useful training for social workers?

Definitely the internship experience. All social work students in accredited programs complete at least one formal internship in a social service setting (often, two). The internship is our field’s “signature pedagogy” — learning through doing is the best training.

How is the field of social work changing?

Social workers are appearing in new, sometimes unexpected settings (e.g., libraries, police stations, airports, policy think tanks, etc.) There is a growing recognition that our skill set lends itself to a lot of different arenas. This is a positive development for social workers, who have more opportunities than ever for interdisciplinary collaboration.

What does the future of social work look like?

The future of social work is opening up and growing in powerful directions. Our ranks are increasing at least as swiftly as our opportunities. The hope is that aspiring social workers will get to realize their own visions of how they want to make a social impact. Recognition of our versatile skills and critical thinking abilities by those in other disciplines will help support those visions.

If you had to choose one or two books, articles, documentaries, podcasts, etc. to be included on a required reading list for social work students, what would it be?

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness by Michelle Alexander (nonfiction book),The Wire (2002-2008) by David Simon (journalistically informed fiction).

Janice Carello

Assistant professor and MSW program director for the social work department at Edinboro University

Janice Carello currently works as an Assistant Professor and MSW Program Director for the Social Work department at Edinboro University. She received her PhD from the University at Buffalo where she also earned her MSW degree and a Certificate in Trauma Counseling. Her research and advocacy focus on retraumatization in educational settings and on bringing a trauma-informed approach to higher education.

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Lisa Hosack

Associate professor and director of the social work program at Grove City College

Lisa Hosack is an associate professor at Grove City College in western Pennsylvania where she began, and continues to direct, the social work program. Prior to her work as a professor, Dr. Hosack was a practitioner for over twenty years, working in child welfare and clinical social work in Chicago and Grand Rapids, MI. She additionally ran a college counseling center at a small college for six years. Her research and writing focuses on the intersection of theology, human development, and social work. Dr. Hosack holds a B.A. from Moody Bible Institute, an MSW from University of Illinois-Chicago, and a PhD from Michigan State University. She has been married for 31 years and is the proud mother of three grown daughters.

Melissa Milliorn

Department head and professor of social work at Hardin-Simmons University

Melissa Milliorn, professor of social work, is head of the Social Work Program at Hardin-Simmons University, which offers a bachelor of behavioral science degree in social work, a bachelor of science degree in social work and psychology, and a minor in social work.

She is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University where she earned the bachelor of behavioral science degree in social work with a minor in criminal justice. She completed her graduate studies at the University of Texas at Arlington, receiving the master of science in social work degree in direct practice with children and families. She is licensed by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners as a licensed master social worker with independent non-clinical practice recognition.

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Megan Callahan Sherman

Chairperson and assistant professor of social work at Georgian Court University

Dr. Megan Callahan Sherman has been a practicing social worker for twenty-five years. She received her MSW and PhD in Social Work Practice from Fordham University. She also holds a post master’s certificate in education leadership. Dr. Sherman is a licensed clinical social worker, certified school social worker, certified public-school supervisor and certified clinical social work supervisor.
Currently, Dr. Sherman serves as Chairperson and Assistant Professor of Social Work at Georgian Court University. She is also the Program Director of the Bachelor of Social Work and Gerontology program. Dr. Sherman maintains a private psychotherapy and education advocacy practice in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

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Dr. Erica Brown-Meredith

Assistant professor of social work, Longwood University

Prior to joining Longwood University, Dr. Erica Brown-Meredith was a Certified School Social Work with Richmond Public Schools and an adjunct professor at Virginia Union University. Dr. Brown-Meredith graduated from Longwood College in 1995, after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in social work. Two weeks after graduation, Dr. Brown-Meredith attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Advanced Standing Program to earn her Masters of Social Work degree in 1996, with a concentration in interpersonal practice with children and youth, along with a certificate to work in the schools. In 2014, Dr. Brown-Meredith earned a Doctor of Philosophy in social work from Norfolk State University.

Dr. Brown-Meredith’s scholarly and teaching interests include: academic advising and equity in higher education for first-generation, low-income, minoritized racial and ethnic, and transfer students; women of color in higher education; diversity, equity, and inclusive instructional and curricular pedagogical practices at a predominantly white institution; and proactive advising practices in social work education programs.

Dr. Brown-Meredith has 10-years of experience practicing as a macro-social worker, executive social worker for a behavioral health agency and owner-operator of a therapeutic foster care agency. She was actively employed as a school social worker for 11-years, working in inner-city schools. During her tenure, she studied non-residential father contact and involvement on child development, publishing dissertation: The Effects of Non-residential Father Contact and Involvement on Black Child Well-being in Low-income Families (2014).

Debra Minsky-Kelly

Professor of social work, Carthage College

Debra Minsky-Kelly, LCSW, is a professor of social work at Carthage College. She earned her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. Her experience as a clinical social worker includes serving as a director with Rogers Behavioral Health in Kenosha as well as working in areas of domestic violence, child welfare and homeless healthcare. Prof. Kelly’s ongoing research and clinical interests include the effects of trauma across the lifespan, development of trauma-informed organizations, and the impact of secondary traumatic stress on professionals.

Libby Lyons

Social work program director, Fontbonne University

Elizabeth has over 20 years of social work and counseling experience and has been a licensed therapist for 14 years. She is a sought-after writer, speaker and consultant in the areas of eating disorders and student mental health, with over 200 publications. She began her career as a social worker and case manager for children and families in need through social service agencies in the St. Louis region, and learned to be a strong advocate for her clients. She interned as a lobbyist for Catholic Charities in Washington D.C., helping ensure passage of the No Child Left Behind Act and Immigration issues.

She was instrumental in advancing licensure and training standards for social workers at the state and local level, serving as the NASW State Director for Professional Development, and successfully lobbied for passage of the Missouri LBSW licensure.

Internationally credentialed, she has worked overseas, accepting an assignment with the US Government as an outreach program manager in a military hospital serving over 26,000 service members and families. She has in-depth experience in the university setting, has experience in an eating disorder IOP, and has managed a multi-provider private practice.

Her areas of expertise include eating disorders, stress, anxiety and depression, grief and loss, family/relationship issues and personal growth. She especially enjoys working with college students, individuals, and families.

In addition to clinical practice, Elizabeth is currently serving as Program Director in the Department of Social Work program at Fontbonne University. She currently served as an adjunct professor at Fontbonne University, Saint Louis University, and Lindenwood University.

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Edward Hernandez

Associate professor and chair of social work, Medgar Evers College

Dr. Edward Hernandez serves as Associate Professor and Chair of Social Work at Medgar Evers College. He was instrumental in developing the Transition Academy serving housing and food insecure students at the college. He also teaches Social Work and Human Services online at several colleges. Prior to Medgar Evers College, Dr. Hernandez served as Deputy Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Social Services from 2004 until 2012. His career includes over 30 years of government and not for profit agencies positions in largely administrative and management capacities. Dr. Hernandez received his MSW and PhD in Social Welfare from Stony Brook University.

Sam Terrazas

Department chair and professor of social work, University of Texas Permian Basin

Dr. Terrazas hails from South Florida and completed his graduate work at Barry University located in Miami Shores, Florida. He earned tenure and promotion to full professor in 2019 at NMHU. He has taught in both undergraduate and graduate social work programs. He has over 17 years professional social work practice experience in the areas of community mental health, administration, community organization, and private practice. He has conducted research in the areas of mental health among Latino Farmworkers, child welfare, LGBTQI foster youth, secondary trauma, and professional supervision. He has presented his findings at state and national conferences and published his research in various peer reviewed scholarly journals. He is currently engaged in pilot study to assess the effectiveness of an intervention to treat secondary trauma among mental health professionals working on the U.S. Mexico border and the validation of group therapy skills with ethnically and culturally diverse groups.

Michael Clarkson-Hendrix

Social work program director, The State University of New York at Fredonia

Michael Clarkson-Hendrix, PhD, MSW is an Assistant Professor of Social Work in the Department of Sociocultural and Justice Sciences at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Michael’s research targets health and behavioral health services with a focus on improving these services to reduce disparities in access to care and receipt of quality services on client and workforce levels. He is particularly interested in the value of developing a robust, diverse social work workforce to address health disparities. Michael has extensive practice experience in the areas of mental and behavioral health as well as child welfare.

Faculty profile    |    Linkedin profile

Portia L. Cole, PhD, MSW

Associate Professor and Director of Field Education, Virginia Union University

Portia L. Cole, PhD is an associate professor in the Department of Social Work and Sociology at Virginia Union University. She received her undergraduate degree in sociology from George Washington University, a master of social work degree from the Catholic University of America, and a doctorate in sociology from American University. She is the recipient of a W.K. Kellogg Health Disparities Post-Doctoral Fellowship and completed a practicum at Morgan State University’s Public Health Program where she helped to formulate cancer prevention strategies. Dr. Cole also received an H. Jack Geiger Congressional Health Policy Fellowship and served as a legislative assistant in the late Senator Edward Kennedy’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee office. In this role, she participated in national public policy decisions and discourse to improve the health status of racial/ethnic minority populations. She is the principal author of peer-reviewed publications that focus on the experiences of persons with disabilities. Her most recent book chapter analyzed the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act on employees with brain injury, examining the link between perceived discrimination and poor health outcomes.

Warren Miller

Assistant professor, Rhode Island College School of Social Work

Warren Miller is an Assistant Professor at Rhode Island College School of Social Work, has a bachelor’s in social work from Lamar University, Master of Social Work from Howard University, and a Ph.D. in social work from Walden University. He holds clinical licenses in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Warren has over 10 years working in the field of social work with a specific focus on mental and behavioral health treatment and administration of marginalized populations. A scholarly practitioner with a broad range of experiences both personal and professional, he has worked for nonprofit, hospitals, state and private agencies. Warren’s work spans across psychiatric social work services, use of ethical telehealth social work, psychotherapy with adults with a specific focus with people living with HIV/AIDS, clinical supervision with practitioners, and substance abuse treatment.

Warren practices a combination of behaviorism, psychodynamic, humanistic and existential theory, and his work focuses on taking one’s attention off the self and placing it selflessly onto others–an awareness of oneself in the context of other people.

Warren has a strong commitment to strengthening individuals and communities of all backgrounds but specifically with African American males living with HIV and LGBTQI populations.

Warren’s research interest includes help-seeking behaviors among high-risk aging African American men who have sex with men living with HIV, spirituality and social work practice, examining the role of HIV stigma in people of color living with HIV, and social work group work.

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Dr. A. Christopher Hayden

Associate Professor of Social Work, Kentucky State University

Dr. A Christopher Hayden is an associate professor of social work at Kentucky State University. He possesses a PhD in social work, MSW, and MS in criminal justice. Prior to teaching, Dr. Hayden worked as a social worker for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Dr. Hayden’s research interests primarily focus on the intersection between the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. He has authored several articles appearing in academic journals and presented nationally at various professional conferences.

Taylor Ellis, Ph.D., LGSW

Assistant professor, Jacksonville State University

Dr. Ellis is an assistant professor of social work at Jacksonville State University. His research utilizes arts, specifically poetry, as a tool for developing empathy and humanizing stigmatized populations. He obtained his MSW and PhD from the University of Alabama, and a bachelor’s degree in human services from Kennesaw State University. Dr. Ellis has worked as a program evaluator for the Youth Services Institute (YSI) and served as the lead evaluator for the evaluation of the Accountability Based Sex Offender Program: Continuum of Care (COC) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) sponsored Multidisciplinary Abuse Prevention Services (MAPS) program. Additionally, he partnered with the Embrace Kids Alabama to provide independent consulting on the evaluation of their Knabe Higher Education Scholarship program. Dr. Ellis is also a member of the Social Work and the Arts Roundtable.

LinkedIn profile    |    Research Gate

Grace Loudd

Assistant Professor of Social Work, Texas Southern University

Dr. Grace A. Loudd is a Texas Southern University Assistant Professor of Social Work, licensed master-level social worker, and 2019 McCleary Teaching Excellence Award recipient. In 2012, she joined the Department of Social Work as a visiting professor having previously worked as a Senior Specialist at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, Houston office. Dr. Loudd’s practice background is what contributes to her ability to merge lived experiences within an academic framework preparing students for professional, service-oriented, and compassionate practice. As project director of the TSU SHAPE Initiative, a SAMHSA funded university-community partnership, she applies the same approach to implementing health programs that address sexual health barriers and substance use/dependence among sexual and ethnic minority populations on-campus as well as in the Greater 3rd and 5th Ward communities. The TSU SHAPE Initiative is committed to building health equity while also serving as a training facility for social work and health administration students to receive hands-on learning in program planning, outreach, and service delivery — thus, preparing them for their own version of making a difference.

Dr. Loudd is trained in quantitative research methods, social justice and community-based principles and techniques. She utilizes evidence-based practices to educate students as well as community members about health disparities and how best to effectively access community-based resources. As a result of her training, she is personally invested in research and community-based programming efforts that are socially just and work toward the betterment of those impacted by persistent health disparities.

Faculty profile

Jill Russett

Director of field education, associate professor, School of Social Work, Christopher Newport University

Jill Russett, PhD, is an associate professor at Christopher Newport University, teaching in the social work program and is the Director of Field Education. Her educational background includes a PhD in counselor education from the College of William and Mary, MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University, and BS in rehabilitation counseling from Syracuse University. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and certified master addiction counselor (MAC). Her clinical experience spans over twenty years of work in community mental health and addictions. Direct practice experience includes former work with youth incarceration, outpatient mental health programs, prevention and treatment in outpatient and residential programs for substance use, and crisis counseling. Her research interests include college student drinking prevention and intervention and developing and educating future addiction professionals.

Kelly Sullivan

Director BSW program and Professor of Practice, Anna Maria College

Kelly Sullivan, MSW, LICSW holds a master’s degree in social work from Salem State University and a bachelor’s in Sociology from Worcester State University. Sullivan has over 23 years of clinical and administrative experience in the social work field. Highlights of those 23 years have been, working with homeless teenage parents, building community and academic relationships in five school districts for young parents, and working with incarcerated fathers with dual- diagnosis and their families. Sullivan is also a certified bereavement counselor for pregnancy/perinatal and pediatric loss and provides individual and family counseling and support as well as professional consultation to medical staff. She does individual clinical work for families and youth in a church-based setting, combining her clinical expertise with the spiritual beliefs and needs of the clients.

Sullivan has spent the last ten summers leading mission trips for high school and college age students to Chaparral, New Mexico. Chaparral is a border community with Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas. Sullivan leads her students into this community to provide peer leadership to local community youth, facilitate a week long summer camp for children and to emerge the mission team in the life and struggles that are faced daily on the border. Before joining Anna Maria College, she served as an adjunct professor with Wheelock College’s Graduate School of Social Work.

Debbi DiGennaro

Social work instructor, Eastern Mennonite University

Debbi DiGennaro teaches social work at Eastern Mennonite University. With extensive experience in the international context, she is the author of a book on cultural competence; her research area is the intersection of social behavior and faith communities.

Website    |    LinkedIn

Hayley Stokar

Assistant Professor and BSW Program Director, Gallaudet University

Hayley Stokar, Ph.D., LSW is an Assistant Professor of Social Work and Program Director for the BSW Program at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. She became a social work educator after serving the deaf community in a number of contexts, including domestic violence, school social work, and vocational rehabilitation. Currently, she teaches a range of classes in the undergraduate curriculum with an emphasis on social welfare policy. Dr. Stokar’s research focuses on workplace equality for deaf, deaf/blind, and hard of hearing individuals, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration between deaf and hearing emergency and disaster responders. She holds a BA from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, an MSW from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, and a PhD from Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL.

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