Clinical/Medical Social Work
A program that prepares individuals for the specialized professional practice of social work, in collaboration with other health care professionals, in hospitals and other health care facilities and organizations. Includes instruction in social work, psychiatric case work, clinical interviewing techniques, therapeutic intervention strategies, patient testing and evaluation, patient and family counseling, social rehabilitation, patient care planning, record-keeping, and support services liaison.
- Schools offering
- 15
- Annual completions
- 216
- Typical degree level
- Associate's + Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $46k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals for the specialized professional practice of social work, in collaboration with other health care professionals, in hospitals and other health care facilities and organizations. Includes instruction in social work, psychiatric case work, clinical interviewing techniques, therapeutic intervention strategies, patient testing and evaluation, patient and family counseling, social rehabilitation, patient care planning, record-keeping, and support services liaison.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare social workers | $68k | +7.7% | Master's degree |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers | $60k | +9.7% | Master's degree |
| Social work teachers, postsecondary | $76k | +2.3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$46k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$41k
Bachelor's
$52k
Top colleges for Clinical/Medical Social Work
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Highlands University | Las Vegas, NM | 0 | 49 | 49 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | Portales, NM | 0 | 42 | 42 |
| University of South Dakota | Vermillion, SD | 0 | 26 | 26 |
| Metropolitan Community College Area | Omaha, NE | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| Central Community College | Grand Island, NE | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| Harcum College | Bryn Mawr, PA | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln, NE | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Central Texas College | Killeen, TX | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Spokane Falls Community College | Spokane, WA | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Seattle Central College | Seattle, WA | 8 | 0 | 8 |
Related majors to explore
Social Work
19,665 completions/yr
Medical/Clinical Assistant
4,734 completions/yr
Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician
1,848 completions/yr
Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
1,838 completions/yr
Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling
1,009 completions/yr
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions, Other
933 completions/yr
Mental Health Counseling/Counselor
141 completions/yr
Social Work, Other
61 completions/yr
Considering this direction?
We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the Clinical/Medical Social Work field. Read our verdict before you commit.
Is Clinical/Medical Social Work worth it? Read verdict