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How to Become a School Social Worker
If you get excited about helping people and want to positively impact younger generations, a career as a school social worker may interest you. Use this guide to learn more about this fulfilling career, including how to become a school social worker, what they do, and how much money they make.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
The University of Denver’s top-ranked school of social work offers two online MSW tracks: Online MSW and Online Advanced-Standing MSW. Students with a BSW can earn an MSW in as few as 12 months; students without a BSW can earn an MSW in as few as 21 months. GRE scores are not required.
- Complete the online MSW program in as few as 12 months if you have a BSW; if you do not have a BSW, the program may be completed in as few as 21 months.
- GRE scores are not required to apply.
- Customize your own Pathway to your interests.
Steps to Become a School Social Worker
The first step is to look into your state’s social work license requirements. You can usually find regulation information at the website of your state education department or local board of education. Another useful resource may be the school social worker association in your state.
A bachelor’s degree in social work may help you begin a career as a school social worker. However, the National Association of Social Work (NASW) Standards for School Social Work Services recommends that entry-level school social workers earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. If a state employs BSW-level school social workers, the NASW Standards for School Social Work Services recommend that they be supervised by an MSW-level social worker.
The Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) directory of accredited schools currently doesn’t list bachelor’s in school social work programs. Generally, you should check with your state’s social work licensing board for more information.
Some school social worker roles may require additional credentials, such as a Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS) credential. This credential, offered by NASW, recognizes experienced professionals qualified to work in diverse school settings.
Different states have different credential requirements and recommendations. California has Pupil Personnel Services Credentials (PPSC), which are issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Additional credentials may help you get jobs in public schools.
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
Learn more about social work degrees:
- Online MSW Program
- Online LCSW Programs
- Online Advanced Standing MSW Programs
- Doctorate of Social Work Programs
Additional Information on School Social Workers
- What is a school social worker?
- What do school social workers do?
- Where do school social workers work?
- School Social Worker Salary
What is a School Social Worker?
A school social worker is a social worker who advocates on behalf of students. They work directly with students, parents and teachers to set students up for success in the classroom and at home. Their ultimate goal is to provide services that help students and families thrive and contribute to communities.
They are the link between school families and community resources. For example, they might collaborate with administrators to work on school policies that develop mental health intervention, support services and crisis management. They may also facilitate community involvement in schools.
What do school social workers do?
School social workers help students, educators, families and others identify issues that are inhibiting student learning. They work with the school community and students to resolve social, emotional and behavioral problems so students can have a successful education. They may also act as a community liaison for the school.
According to the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA), school social workers provide a variety of services to students, families, staff, school districts and the community. Here are examples of the services provided to each of these groups:
Student Services
- Help children develop social interaction skills.
- Develop positive behavioral intervention strategies.
- Assist with anger management and conflict resolution.
- Provide mediation therapy for students in conflict with other students or teachers.
- Prepare social or developmental histories for children with special needs.
- Develop educational programs for exceptional children and alternative programs for challenged kids.
- Participate in special education assessment and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.
Family Services
- Provide group, individual or family therapy to students and their loved ones.
- Relieve family stress for student success.
- Conduct home visits to understand how a family’s environment may be affecting a student.
- Connect families with school and community resources.
School Staff and District Services
- Develop training programs for school administration.
- Inform administration of cultural, economic, familial, health and societal issues affecting student behavior.
- Lead behavior management training for teachers.
- Identify and report child abuse and neglect.
- Provide case management and related services.
Community Services
- Obtain support from mental health and social agencies for schools.
- Refer students and families to community resources, such as food banks, medical care services or shelters.
Where do school social workers work?
While most work in schools, some may not. They can also work in offices or private practices to help students and families referred by schools. In schools, social workers focus on bridging the gap between students, families and school workers. Some may choose to work outside the school setting to make broader, policy-level changes that affect many students rather than individuals.
In schools, social workers may work in offices and counsel students, families and teachers. Students may be referred for therapeutic services because of school-related problems like frequent absences, tardiness, underachievement, bullying or aggressive behavior.
In a school setting, social workers can help students cope with issues like:
- Stress
- Family struggles related to divorce, domestic violence, parenting and financial hardship
- Grief and loss
- Medical concerns
- Mental health
- Neglect and abuse
- Pregnancy
- Sexuality and relationships
- Substance abuse
Sometimes they will have to refer a student or family to an outside agency.
Outside of Schools
Outside of school, school social workers may research issues and develop policies to help local, state and national education systems. They may work with lobbyists or for state and local governments.
They can also be hired by school districts to help them achieve their academic mission. These social workers often make recommendations on district policies related to home-school-community collaboration.
Experienced professionals may also open up their own private practices, focusing on issues affecting the academic performance of kids and teens. They may be contracted by schools to provide their services.
School Social Worker Salary
The 2024 median annual wage for child, family and school social workers was $58,570, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The top 10% of child, family, and school social workers earned $94,030 annually, according to the BLS.
The top-paying employers, based on 2024 annual mean wage data from the BLS, were:
- Home Health Care Services: $77,640
- Insurance Carriers: $76,540
- Technical and Trade Schools: $74,580
- Elementary and Secondary Schools: $74,080
- Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals: $73,680
Employment of social workers is projected to grow 6% between 2024 and 2034, according to the BLS, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of child, family, and school social workers is expected to grow 3% over the next decade.
Information last updated: January 2026