Public Health Social Worker: Educational Requirements
Public health social workers work with populations and individuals suffering from ailments or injuries related to community sickness or disaster. They act as counselors and planners for people who need long term care.
What is a Public Health Social Worker?
Public health social workers are social work professionals who provide support to individuals and populations dealing with and vulnerable to chronic, acute or terminal illnesses. In many cases, they take advisory roles, not only for patients, but also for families and caregivers, helping them to arrange health services in the home and community, from meals-on-wheels delivery to oxygen equipment. Some public health social workers work in interdisciplinary teams, including those who work for hospitals, nursing care facilities, social services agencies and government agencies.
Education for Public Health Social Workers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), public health social work requires a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or sociology (www.bls.gov). Individuals seeking graduate-level education might pursue a dual degree program that awards both a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. The degree programs may be consecutive or concurrent, and some are offered full- or part-time to accommodate working professionals pursuing continuing education. Courses might include alcoholism and drug abuse interventions, policy analysis, epidemiology, biostatistics, social work ethics, program development and health economics. Students in an MSW/MPH program might choose from concentrations including:
- Children's services
- Child and maternal health.
- Gerontology
- Policy
- Social behavior
- Mental health
- Social systems
Every state requires some form of licensing or certification for social work practice. Requirements for licensing vary by states. Although not required for a license, many positions encourage mastery of a second language.
Outlook for Public Health Social Workers
According to the BLS, the job outlook for public health social workers was predicted to be much faster than the average for all occupations from 2008-2018. The BLS predicted increased opportunities for those public health social workers with a background in geriatric care in particular.
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
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Master
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- MS in Addiction Counseling - Addictions and Public Health
- MS in Addiction Counseling - Child and Adolescent Counseling
- MS in Addiction Counseling - Family Studies and Interventions
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- MS in Addiction Counseling - Forensic Counseling
- MS in Addiction Counseling - General Program
- MS in Addiction Counseling - Trauma and Crisis
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- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 22 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- Master of Social Work
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have completed 12 college credits
School locations:
- Online Learning
- California (16 campuses)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Master
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- MA - Psychology (MFT and PCC Combination)
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- MA - Psychology (Professional Clinical Counseling Emphasis)
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Bachelor
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- BA in Social Work
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Doctorate
- Master
- Non-Degree
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (1 campus)
- California (5)
- Colorado (1)
- Florida (2)
- Georgia (1)
- Hawaii (1)
- Illinois (2)
- Minnesota (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (1)
- Utah (1)
- Virginia (1)
- Washington (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
- Bachelor
- Associate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Alabama (1 campus)
- Arizona (6)
- California (26)
- Colorado (3)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (5)
- Hawaii (2)
- Idaho (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Michigan (2)
- New Mexico (2)
- Nevada (2)
- Ohio (1)
- Puerto Rico (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Utah (3)
- Virginia (2)
- Wisconsin (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
- Bachelor
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Associate
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- AA in Psychology
- AA in Health Care Administration
- AA in Health Care Administration - Electronic Health Records
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- AA in Health Care Administration - Health & Wellness Administration
- AA in Health Care Administration - Medical Records
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration
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- Non-Degree
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
