As the average age of the U.S. population increases, the need for social services is likely to grow. Ensuring our older adults are fed, protected and cared for falls to the hands of younger generations willing to help care for aging baby boomers. One caregiver role is a geriatric social worker. People who choose this career path should be empathetic, compassionate and patient and enjoy spending time with seniors. Learn why and how to become a geriatric social worker. 

Below, we list some common steps to become a geriatric social worker. This pathway may look different depending on your background, current education, and ultimate career goals.

The foundation for licensure as a gerontology social worker is to earn a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or related degrees such as a sociology or psychology degree. Courses might include human behavior and social welfare policy and research. As an undergraduate student, you will also gain experience through an internship.

During your internship and post-grad, you may choose to gain experience working with older populations. This may help with earning credentials later (see Step 5). 

If you choose to pursue licensure at the master’s or clinical level, a Master of Social Work (MSW) may be required. Requirements vary by state. You may be able to find entry-level social work positions with a bachelor’s degree. Some MSW programs may offer a specialization in gerontology.

Licensing requirements vary by state and by license level, so you’ll want to check the rules for the state where you plan to practice. Whether you choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree or master’s level licensure, requirements vary by state; most usually require an exam and at least 3,000 hours or two years of supervised clinical experience. The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) offers five different exam categories – Associate, Bachelors, Masters, Advanced Generalist, and Clinical. The license you’re pursuing (and your state board’s requirements) determines which exam you need to take. For independent or clinical licensure, states often require a post-degree supervised experience, which can take multiple years and involve thousands of hours, depending on the jurisdiction. 

The National Association of Social Work (NASW) offers three gerontology credentials: Social Worker in Gerontology (SW-G) (BSW level), Advanced Social Worker in Gerontology (ASW-G) (MSW level), and Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology (CSW-G) (clinical MSW level). The SW-G is for BSW-level social workers and requires at least three years (about 4,500 hours) of supervised experience working with older adults plus 20 hours of relevant continuing education (or proof of an aging/gerontology concentration). 

The ASW-G is for MSW-level social workers and requires at least two years (about 3,000 hours) of paid, post-MSW experience with older adults, 20 hours of relevant continuing education, and an MSW-level license or a passing ASWB master’s-level exam score. Because eligibility details (documentation, supervision, and renewal requirements) can be specific, review the full criteria on NASW’s credential pages before applying.

Sponsored Online MSW Programs

University of Denver

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The University of Denver’s Online MSW Program is delivered by its top-ranked school of social work and offers two programs. Students can earn their degree in as few as 12 months for the Online Advanced-Standing MSW or 27 months for the Online MSW.

• Complete the Online Advanced-Standing MSW in as few as 12 months if you have a BSW; if you do not have a BSW, the Online MSW Program may be completed in as few as 27 months.
• No GRE Required
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Syracuse University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Syracuse University’s online Master of Social Work program does not require GRE scores to apply and is focused on preparing social workers who embrace technology as an important part of the future of the profession. Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks are available.

• Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
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Simmons University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Aspiring direct practitioners can earn their MSW online from Simmons University in as few as 9 months. GRE scores are not required, and the program offers full-time, part-time, accelerated, and advanced standing tracks.

• Prepares students to pursue licensure, including LCSW 
• Full-time, part-time, and accelerated tracks 
• Minimum completion time: 9 months

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Howard University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The online Master of Social Work program from Howard University School of Social Work prepares students for advanced direct or macro practice in culturally diverse communities. Two concentrations available: Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice. No GRE. Complete in as few as 12 months.

• Concentrations: Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice
• Complete at least 777-1,000 hours of agency-based field education
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Hawaii Pacific University

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Master of Social Work

The online Master of Social Work prepares aspiring social work leaders to develop a multicultural social work practice, advocate for social and economic justice, and empower diverse communities affected by systemic inequities within civilian and military-focused areas. 

• Learn how to develop a multicultural social work practice.  
• Pending accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Complete in 18 months full time, or in 36 months part time on the traditional track.
• Complete in 12 months full time or 24 months part time on the Advanced Standing Track. 

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Before you start your social work journey, ask whether this path is right for you. Should you become a social worker? Geriatric social workers provide services to older adults to help address the challenges they face as they age. If you’d feel comfortable supporting the well-being of older people as they progress through life, becoming a geriatric social worker may be a career for you. 

If you decide a geriatric career is not for you, you can choose from several other social work careers and social work degrees. 

A geriatric social worker helps older adults, usually people over 65, address and overcome many challenges and connects them to the resources and services they need. In geriatric social work, you may address financial issues, mental health problems and healthcare needs by working with the client, the client’s family, friends, healthcare providers, attorneys and those in the community such as banks, utility companies and government agencies. 

When licensed, a geriatric social worker holds a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, has some on-the-job experience, and can be hired by a facility, organization, agency, family or the client.

As you begin your search for the right gerontology program, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. To become a geriatric social worker, you will need to invest some time toward licensure. Although a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree may be a minimum requirement for some roles, licensure may require post-degree experiences. Be sure to check with your state for licensure requirements.

If you are seeking a master’s level degree in social work, several CSWE-accredited institutions offer MSW advanced standing programs that take less time to complete for students with an undergraduate social work degree. In addition, there are many online MSW programs with no GRE requirement. Other education options include online or on-campus Master of Social Work degree programs, a graduate certificate, and a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW). Here is a look at each program:

Successful geriatric social workers may possess skills beyond compassion, empathy and patience. Some suggested skills include:

A geriatric social worker cares for adults aged 65 and older. Your daily activities while in this role may vary. However, the following responsibilities are typical:

Since the field of social work is so broad, you can find positions in diverse settings. That holds true for specializations like geriatric social work. Not only can you find jobs in various areas, but depending on the client, circumstances, and work environment, your social work requirements might change. Typical places you may find a geriatric social worker include:

The average pay for all social workers was $61,330 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), although pay can vary depending on education, job experience, and geographical location. Projected social work job growth through 2034 is 6%, which is faster than the average rate for all occupations. 

As mentioned above in the steps to become a geriatric social worker, you may choose to pursue you may choose to pursue one of NASW’s gerontology credentials: Social Worker in Gerontology (SW-G), Advanced Social Worker in Gerontology (ASW-G), and (for clinically licensed MSWs) Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology (CSW-G).:

Social Worker in Gerontology (SW-G): The SW-G credential requires the following:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program
• Documentation of no less than three (3) years (equivalent of 4,500 hours) of experience working with older adults under social work supervision
• Twenty contact hours of continuing education related to working with older adults or proof of aging/gerontology concentration on transcripts
• One of the following: ACBSW, BSW-level license, BSW-level exam passing score, or one additional year of experience with 10 additional contact hours of continuing education
• Agreement to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics, the NASW Standards for Social Work Services in Long-Term Care Facilities, and the NASW Standards for Continuing Professional Education

Advanced Social Worker in Gerontology (ASW-G): The ASW-G credential requires the following:

• Master’s in social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program
• Twenty contact hours of continuing education related to working with older adults
• Documentation of at least two (2) years (equivalent of 3,000 hours) of paid, post-MSW experience working with older adults.
• Current state MSW-level license OR an ASWB MSW-level exam passing score
• Adherence to NASW Code of Ethics and Standards for Continuing Professional Education

Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology (CSW-G): The CSW-G credential requires the following:

Information on this page was last retrieved and updated in February 2026.