Social Work

The School of Social Welfare offers a BSW, as well as a MSW, a MSW/JD, and PhD in Social Work, which develops the capacity for caring, to help people in need.  The undergraduate program prepares graduates for generalist social work practice with an emphasis on public social services, which looks at the interface between systems - individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 

School of Social Welfare website

Sample of Related Skills

• Advocate for human rights and social and economic justice  
• Utilize critical thinking when addressing social problems 
• Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being 
• Consider the cultural and other contexts in which practice occurs 
• Engage and assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities 
• Intervene and evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities  
• Participate in research-informed practice-informed research  

Popular Career Paths

Children or Family Services: Involves helping parents and guardians identify services to improve the quality of life for children and families.  Can include adoptions, foster care, family preservation, and specialty children services as well as many others.

Health: Involves working as a part of a medical team to help patients cope with chronic or terminal illness and injury.  Settings include hospitals, home health agencies, hospice programs, school-based clinics, physician offices, rehabilitation hospitals, addiction recovery programs, and nursing care facilities.

Education and School Social Work: Involves helping to identify, assess, and address the social and emotional difficulties of children that interfere with their attendance, adjustment, and achievement in school.

Public Welfare: Includes providing services, support and advocacy for poor and disadvantaged individuals, including helping with housing, vocational training and job placement, case management, crisis intervention and development of interpersonal and life skills.

Clinical: Includes inpatient and outpatient mental health services, including assessment and treatment planning, counseling and referral services.

Gerontology: Involves providing services and coordinating programs for older adults (healthy or ill) and their families.

Community Development: Involves working with labor unions and grassroots organizations, developing projects and serving as community liaisons with public economic development departments, and working with community reinvestment programs. 

Jobs to Consider

• Adoption Counselor
• Assessment Coordinator
• Case Manager
• Clinical Resource Specialist
• Clinical Social Worker
• Community Resources Coordinator
• Counselor/Therapist
• Early Childhood Specialist
• Employee Assistance Program Coordinator
• Family Resource Specialist
• Foster Parent
• Geriatric Care Specialist
• Independent Living Coordinator
• Residential Counselor
• Job Coach
• Outpatient Therapist
• Outreach Advocate
• Prevention Specialist
• Probation Officer
• Public Health Educator
• Recreation Manager
• Rehabilitation Counselor/Specialist
• School Social Worker
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Victim Advocate
• Youth Employment Coordinator
• Youth Services Coordinator 

Places to Seek Employment

• Adoption Agencies/Foster Home Organizations
• Advocacy Organizations
• Assisted Living Centers
• Community Mental Health Centers
• Early Intervention / Head Start Programs
• Employment Assistance Programs
• Family Service Agencies
• Federal Government Agencies
• Group Homes
• Home Health Agencies
• Homeless Shelters
• Hospitals
• Nursing Homes
• Public and Private Schools
• Public Health Programs
• Public Interest Groups
• Recreation Programs
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Residential and Outpatient Treatment Centers
• Senior Centers
• State/Local Government Agencies
• Victim Services Organizations

Explore More Career Resources

Government & Non-Profit Resources - more from career.ku.edu 

Internships-USA - internship listings related to social service, human rights, and women's rights 

Kansas Department for Children and Families - career paths and job listings with DCF 

Kansas Works - a centralized database of jobs in Kansas (including state government and private firms). 

KU Center for Community Outreach - local volunteer opportunities in a variety of areas, including poverty, seniors and youth 

National Association of Social Workers JobLink - full-time, part-time, fellowship and internship opportunities in social welfare 

Non-Profit Connect - local non-profit job and internship opportunities as well as non-profit career resources 

Social and Welfare Services in Lawrence, KS - local social services agencies and organizations in the Lawrence area as well as links to each organization's website 

Social Service.com - social work, social service, counseling, mental health, and case management jobs  

Social Work - Go Government  - explore potential careers and internships in social work with the federal government 

Explore the Social Work Profession - occupational profiles and other general career information by the National Association of Social Workers