What does a medical social worker do?

Medical social workers help patients and their families navigate the financial and emotional challenges that can accompany illnesses, injuries, and loss of loved ones. They advocate for their clients and connect them with helpful resources during times of need.

What can you do with a medical social worker degree?

Medical social worker degrees most readily lead to licensed career tracks in social work. As a medical social worker, you may assess the needs of incoming patients, ensure that patients receive continuity of care, and help patients and their families manage the challenges they may face.

How long does it take to complete a medical social worker degree?

Healthcare-focused MSW degrees typically require about two academic years of full-time study. You could graduate more quickly if you're able to use transfer credits to achieve advanced standing. Schools also regularly offer part-time enrollment options which lead to graduation in 3–5 academic years.

Find MSW programs that teach about medical social work

A medical social worker degree can help you enter one of the fastest-growing and best-paid social work fields. Connect with programs and education resources.

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Why earn an MSW that teaches medical social work?

Respond to patient needs

Assist patients recovering from injuries and illnesses with resources to help their recovery.

Earn a higher salary

Access higher-than-average salaries for the social work field.

Study on a flexible schedule

Take advantage of a convenient, flexible online format that can help you balance your other responsibilities as you work toward licensure.

As aging populations grow, the demand for healthcare services also increases, including for medical social workers. Explore this social work specialization and its career outlook.

Browse MSW programs that teach about medical social work

Prestigious

An immersive cohort-based learning experience that is designed to optimize learning outcomes and ensure global networking opportunities.

Flexible

Choose your path with a range of completion options and class times.

Equivalent to on-campus

Earn the same degree and complete the same curriculum as on-campus students.

What to expect from an online MSW that teaches medical social work

Some master's in social work (MSW) programs offer healthcare concentrations. Others complement a generalist core of required courses with healthcare-focused electives, allowing you to build your own specialization. You can also find MSW programs specifically in clinical and medical social work.

Your healthcare-focused social work courses may cover topics including:

Diversity and inclusion
Evidence-based health and behavioral interventions
Family-based healthcare decision-making
Geriatrics
Healthcare policy and advocacy

Healthcare-focused MSW programs can prepare you to guide patients and their family members through difficult situations. You'll build culturally responsive proficiencies for assisting clients who are managing issues including substance use, grief, terminal illness, and poverty.

What can you do with an online MSW that teaches medical social work?

Medical can prepare you to become a licensed healthcare social worker. Licensing requirements vary by state, but degrees accredited by the Council on Social Work Education are a vital component no matter where you live. You'll also need to meet supervised experience requirements and pass a standardized examination.

The Association of Social Work Boards can help you review your state's licensing standards before beginning your educational journey.

Once you earn your license, you can seek employment in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, residential care facilities, and government or community agencies.

How much can you make with an MSW that teaches medical social work?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual salary for all social workers was $58,380 in 2023, while healthcare social workers earned $62,940 in the same year.

The BLS also projects that jobs for healthcare social workers will grow by 10% from 2023-33, and 7% for all social workers. These projections are higher than the 4% projected growth rate for all occupations.