updated: november 2020

social workers who work in military settings typically have specialized knowledge about how to help military personnel cope with the emotional and physical challenges of their job, such as injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, strained family relationships, and difficulty finding employment after they return from service. military social workers often work at the micro level to support and counsel military personnel; however, they can also work at the macro level by advocating for better support systems and assistance programs for active military members, veterans, and their families.

military social workers can work in such settings as military units, the veteran’s bureau (an establishment of the u.s. department of veteran’s affairs), advocacy organizations, military hospitals, military schools, direct practice organizations, army medical treatment facilities, and private practice.

individuals who are interested in becoming military social workers should research the different work settings that employ social workers in this field, to get an idea of the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively counsel, support, and advocate for military personnel. some accredited online master of social work (msw) programs offer specializations or sub-concentrations specifically in military social work, while others may offer electives or classes that focus on working with members of the military and their families. this article provides detailed information about military social work as a career, and explains the types of online msw programs that prepare students for working effectively with military personnel.

students should note that they do not necessarily need to complete an msw program with a concentration in military social work in order to work in this field. however, programs that offer a military social work concentration include classes that focus on the specific challenges that military personnel face, and are also designed to prepare social workers for the culture, environments, and particular social issues that military personnel encounter. this specialized education in military social work may be advantageous for students as military members can encounter very challenging physical and emotional circumstances, and may wish to work specifically with social workers who understand their background and situation.

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military social workers can support military personnel before their deployment, during their service, and as they transition back to civilian life. they can also counsel and support veterans, as well as the spouses and children of military personnel. additionally, social workers in this field can help military personnel and their families navigate the process of applying for financial, health, education, housing, and other benefits.

military social workers may have different responsibilities, depending on their level of education, licensure, and place of employment. for example, licensed clinical social workers (lcsws) who specialize in military social work can provide mental health therapy to their clients, including diagnosing certain emotional, psychological, and psychosocial disorders, and developing and implementing mental health treatment plans. non-clinical military social workers may focus on providing support to their clients before, during, and/or after they fulfill their military service by helping them find resources in their community and through the government, connecting them to support services, and helping them set goals and manage their relationships. military social workers can also work at the macro level to advocate for better support and services for service men and women.

in general, social workers who work in military settings need to have a strong knowledge of:

prospective military social workers should note that, while an msw may not be strictly required for non-clinical social workers in this field, many employers of military social workers (such as the u.s. army and the veteran’s bureau) either require or prefer applicants to have an msw from an institution that has been accredited by the council on social work education (cswe)

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accredited online msw programs with a concentration or sub-concentration in military social work are typically comprised of the same number of units as regular online msw programs (about 60 units). these programs contain both foundation level and concentration or advanced standing coursework. students typically complete their foundation level courses first, and then progress to their advanced classes; however, some students may have terms during which they take both foundation and advanced standing courses.

foundation level social work courses for online msw programs generally cover topics such as human behavior and the social environment, social work practice with individuals, groups, and families, and research methods for social workers. advanced standing courses for online msw programs with a concentration in military social work may include mental health and substance abuse, military culture and environment, clinical social work practice with military members and veterans, and marital issues within the military family.

field education requirements for online msw programs with a concentration in military social work tend to be similar to those of clinical social work msw programs. students who decide to pursue a concentration in military social work should work with their program’s field education office and/or field coordinator to determine agency sites that will allow them to interact with military personnel and/or veterans, as well as their families. such settings could include military-affiliated schools, substance abuse clinics, retirement communities, military community and support centers, and advocacy organizations.

every msw program has its own protocol for determining students’ agency sites and field instructors–for example, while some schools actively match students to agency locations, other msw programs expect students to find their own placement sites. students should check with the schools of social work that interest them for details on how these schools determine field placements.

example coursework for online msw programs with a military social work concentration

course titles and content may vary across programs; however, courses that students might take in an accredited online msw program with a concentration in military social work may include:

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