Guide on Becoming a Geriatric Social Worker
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.
University of Denver • Denver, CO
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
54-81 graduate-level credits
Concentrations
Mental Health and Trauma, Health, Equity and Wellness
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission
- Minimum undergraduate GPA is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Career goals statement
Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 24 months
Credits
36-60
Concentrations
Advanced Integrated Practice, Advanced Clinical Practice
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Essays
- Prerequisite coursework
- Letters of recommendation
Simmons University • Boston, MA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Accelerated and Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 9 months
Credits
37-65
Concentrations
Mental Health Practice Optional Certificate, Trauma Practice Optional Certificate, Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families
Admission Requirements
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Recommendation forms
- Statement of professional and educational intent
Howard University • Washington, DC
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
45+
Concentrations
Direct Practice, Community, Administration and Policy (CAP) Practice
Admission Requirements
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- College transcripts
- A personal statement
- An application essay
- A resume
- Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution, award within four years of first term start date
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all social work foundation and undergraduate coursework
Hawaii Pacific University • Honolulu, HI
Master of Social Work
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
12-36 months
Credits
30-57
Concentrations
Military and Veterans Affairs, Child or Adult Protective Services, Health Care, Mental Health, Individual and Families, Social Agency Administration
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 30 credits in Liberal Arts from an accredited four-year institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, but applicants below that will be considered for provisional admission
- Completed courses in Statistics and Research Methods
- Applicants must have completed each course with a grade of a "C" or higher
- Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program within the past five years
- Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale in social work courses
- Online application
Should I Become a Geriatric Social Worker?
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.
What is a Geriatric Social Worker?
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.
Educational Requirements
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.
Degree Programs for Geriatric Social Workers
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:
- An online MSW program provides students with flexibility and the opportunity to take classes from anywhere with an internet connection.
- A graduate certificate is an ideal option for the student seeking to refine their skills or add a specialization to their existing social work proficiencies.
- A Doctorate of Social Work is the most advanced degree in social work and allows you to conduct research that could help fellow practitioners and advance social work.
Skills
Successful geriatric social workers may possess skills beyond compassion, empathy and patience. Some suggested skills include:
- Knowledge of elder abuse: You must be able to detect elder abuse to protect your client from dangerous relationships.
- Ability to work with a variety of people: You will work with a wide range of people when caring for seniors, including doctors, lawyers, family and friends.
- Knowledge of social services and programs: Be familiar with available programs and services in your area to provide your client with the best care.
- Advocacy: As people age, they may become vulnerable and need someone to speak up for them when they cannot.
What is the Role of a Geriatric Social Worker?
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:
- Notify families of necessary healthcare services available
- Help make health decisions that protect the well-being of your clients
- Counsel caregivers to ensure your clients’ needs are met
- Speak to healthcare professionals to understand and advocate for your clients
- Coordinate activities to enrich your clients’ physical and mental health
- Advise families of specialized care to meet the needs of your clients
- See to your clients’ mental and physical wellness
- Work with high-risk clients in difficult financial situations
Work Settings of a Geriatric Social Worker
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:
- Assisted living communities
- Clients’/patients’ homes
- Government agencies
- Health clinics
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Private practice
- Senior centers
- Social services
How Much do Geriatric Social Workers Make?
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.
Geriatric Social Worker Certification and Licenses
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:
- Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited program
- At least two years (equivalent of 3,000 hours) of paid, supervised, post-MSW clinical experience providing clinical social work services to older adults
- Thirty contact hours of post-degree continuing education related to working with older adults
- Current state clinical social work license (e.g., LCSW/LICSW/LSCSW, depending on your state)
- Adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics and Standards for Continuing Professional Education
Geriatric Social Worker Resources
- American Geriatrics Society: This nonprofit group advocates for patient care, education, research and public policy. Its members are healthcare professionals dedicated to improving seniors' quality of life.
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): ASWB is the nonprofit organization composed of and owned by social work regulatory boards across all 50 U.S. states, D.C., select U.S. territories, and all 10 Canadian provinces.
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW): NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world and provides career resources, practice standards, ethics guidance, continuing education, and professional advocacy.
- Administration on Aging (AoA) (within HHS’s Administration for Community Living): AoA administers programs authorized by the Older Americans Act and supports services and resources that help older adults remain healthy and independent in their communities.
Information last updated: February 2026