In supporting the care of oncology patients, social workers in the field provide psychosocial services and programs throughout all phases of cancer treatment. Oncology social workers may also provide education to organizations and communities to strengthen programs, support, awareness and advocacy.

If you think you’re interested in how to become an oncology social worker, read on. This guide will provide details about the career, some of the common steps needed to get there, education requirements, skills that may help in your career, work settings, job and salary outlook, and more.

Steps to Become an Oncology Social Worker

To become an oncology social worker, you’ll follow the similar steps that you would to become a specialized social worker. Keep in mind that not everyone’s career path will look the same:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree. 

Earning your bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) may help streamline your graduate education, but other bachelor’s degrees are accepted as well.

2. Earn a master’s degree in social work (MSW) 

Complete your MSW program at a university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). 

3. Choose your MSW specialty. 

There are several areas in which to specialize: school social work, clinical social work, case management or medical social work, under which oncology would fall. Choosing a specialization allows you to take courses that address your future occupation.

4. Complete your field work requirements. 

These can differ from state to state, but CSWE programs require a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field instruction, and state requirements may range from 2,000 to 3,200 hours – be sure to check with your state’s licensing board for required hours. If you are able to obtain experience in oncology, hospice or end-of-life care, this may help with obtaining certification or positions after graduation.

5. Follow your state’s licensing process. 

This will include an Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing exam at the master’s level and may also include a state exam on specific local laws and processes.

6. Earn optional certifications.

The Board of Oncology Social Work (BOSW) offers an Oncology Social Worker (OSW-C) credential to those who qualify. Some universities may offer a certification program as well.

Sponsored online social work 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
• Customizable pathway options include Mental Health and Trauma or Health, Equity and Wellness concentrations

Request more info from the University of Denver.

Fordham University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Fordham’s skills-based, online MSW program integrates advanced relevant social work competencies, preparing students to serve individuals and communities while moving the profession forward. This program includes advanced standing and traditional MSW options.

•  Traditional and advanced standing online MSW options are available.
• There are four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy.
• Pursue the degree on a full-time or part-time track.

Request more info from Fordham University.

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. 

Request more info from Hawaii Pacific University.

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

Request more info from Simmons University.

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
• Earn your degree in as few as 12 months

Request more info from Howard University.

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
• No GRE required
• Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice

Request more info from Syracuse University.

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Oncology social workers are licensed professionals who provide various levels of care to people who are or have been affected by cancer via emotional and psychosocial services. With counseling, case management, support groups and community programs, an oncology social worker helps patients and their families deal with their “new normal.”If you aren’t sure whether oncology social work is your calling, there are plenty of other social work career paths within the field of social work that fill vital roles in society. Considering a speciality is just one decision you will make when pursuing a social work degree.

What is an Oncology Social Worker?

Oncology social workers almost become extensions of their clients; they are concerned with every aspect of the cancer patient’s treatment and recovery. These social worker may:

• Provide direct counseling and emotional support.
• Help a patient find outside support groups.
• Find financial resources or financial assistance.
• Connect patients with services that provide transportation to treatments or home care.
• Assist with applications for Social Security disability.
• Translate the detailed medical language that can be hard to understand.

In other words, an oncology social worker is a client’s advocate on the journey. During a busy, often confusing, and emotional time, the oncology social worker becomes a bridge between the medical care itself and impacts of cancer and treatment on one’s life.

If you’ve decided that you want to pursue a career in social work, there are different social work degree options available to you:

Social workers tend to be passionate about helping people, and they use a combination of skills to accomplish it. Besides being an active listener and a good communicator, it helps to have high critical-thinking skills, organizational skills and the ability to set boundaries. Time management is important, as is emotional intelligence. For a role in oncology, you may need to be versed in:

The Association of Oncology Social Workers (AOSW) outlines the role of an oncology social worker by describing the scope of standards of practice that are expected. While the social worker’s comprehensive services to their patient-clients and families may seem obvious, the AOSW also lists:

A day in the life of an oncology social worker means understanding cancer and its multifaceted effects, working with patients and families on a personal basis to provide information and support, addressing their changing psychological, emotional and financial needs, reviewing the medical situation with the patient’s medical team, talk with family caregivers, find needed resources and set up appointments and encourage self-care and life-affirming choices.

“Understanding patients’ life circumstances is an integral part of oncology care,” says Sara Nemitz, MSW, LICSW, who works at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton, Mass. “Social workers can help articulate each patient’s unique priorities, coping abilities, and support options so their treatment plans can be tailored accordingly.”

Oncology social workers are found in many arenas, and while the most common work settings are cancer centers and hospitals, they may also work in support programs, hospice programs, healthcare finance offices, oncologists’ offices and clinics and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Some specialize in an age group, such as pediatrics. 

Depending on the position, your work environment and job responsibilities will flex to respond to the needs of those patients and your team of colleagues. A pediatric oncology social worker would have a very different job description than that of a hospice social worker or one working with veterans and a social worker in a clinic may interact with fewer patients than would a hospital social worker.

Social workers had a median salary of $51,760 in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); this means half of workers earned more and half earned less than that amount. There is not a specific category for oncology social workers on the BLS, but salaries for healthcare social workers show they can earn the same or more, depending on where they work. Those in individual/family services earned a mean of $50,460; in nursing-care facilities, $56,640; in outpatient care centers, $62,660; in home-health-care services, $63,590; and in hospitals, $66,630. 

The job outlook for social workers is good; 13% growth is expected between 2019-2029, which the BLS terms “much faster than average.” The top levels of employment for healthcare social workers are New York ($61,510), California ($83,000), Texas ($59,790),  Massachusetts ($62,640), and Florida ($54,250).

Each state has specific license regulations for its social workers. Our state-by-state licensure requirements list each level of social worker, exam details, education and field experience requirements, salary numbers, scholarship possibilities and links to the appropriate licensing boards. Be sure to check with your specific state for more licensure requirements.

In addition, the AOSW Oncology Social Work Certification gives patients, families and accrediting organizations an understanding of the level of education, experience, skills and ethical standards specific to this career. The oncology social worker requirements for the certification, as of June 2021, include:

Be sure to check with the AOSW website for more up to date information.

 There are two national organizations that are resources for oncology social workers:

Information on this page was retrieved in June 2021.