Professional Organizations for Social Workers

Whether you’re an experienced social worker or just starting your career, joining a professional organization demonstrates your commitment to the field. These organizations provide valuable resources and opportunities for professional development and support. Learn about social work professional organizations to find out about the benefits of membership.

For social work students or recent graduates, joining a professional organization opens up networking opportunities, connects you with mentors, and offers employment assistance.

Seasoned social workers can take advantage of professional development activities, including conferences and workshops that help them develop new skills and keep ahead of current research and trends.

Many organizations sponsor job boards for members, training courses and seminars that provide continuing education credits, and opportunities to engage in leadership and advocacy roles.

Professional social work organizations vary from large-scale national and international associations to those based on specialized groups, practice areas, or shared identities. This list of professional organizations, arranged in alphabetical order, covers specialized practice areas and the resources available to members.

The ABCSW administers standards-based national social work certifications. The organization serves as a clinical community for graduate students and practitioners, offering free and discounted publications, a distance learning portal, and access to professional liability insurance.

The AAGP offers memberships to geriatric psychiatrists and non-psychiatric professionals, including licensed social workers and clinical social workers, specializing in mental healthcare for older adults. Membership benefits include access to the members-only website, conferences and training courses, discounts for annual meetings and publications, and networking opportunities.

The APSAC provides resources to professionals working in areas related to child abuse and neglect. Members benefit from training and educational activities, participation in discussion boards, reading clubs, and research initiatives, and access to a job bank and career resources.

CSWA membership consists of licensed clinical social workers, new professionals, retired social workers, and students. Members have access to a job bank, legal services, and information on standards, legislation, and other issues related to clinical practice.

This non-governmental organization represents three million social workers through 150 social work association members. The IFSW promotes global social work best practices and standards, publishes policy statements, and cooperates in initiatives with the UN, other international agencies, and national social work associations.

The NABSW extends membership to people of African ancestry who work in social work practice, education, and research. The association sponsors opportunities for professional development and training and hosts annual national and international conferences.

The NASW is the largest organization of social work professionals in the world. NASW members benefit from a variety of resources and services, including a credentialing center, a job bank and career coaching, a CEU approval program, and multiple events and conferences.

The NRSWC is an informal organization that advocates for the field of rural social work and advocates for practitioners in the field. The Caucus publishes the Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal, sponsors annual national institutes, and provides continuing education opportunities.

The only professional organization dedicated to forensic social work, the NOFSW offers networking and professional development opportunities, free newsletters and webinars, and access to the Journal of Forensic Social Work.

Founded in 1994, the SSWAA promotes the profession of school social work and provides its members with resources on research, careers, and certification. Members participate in networking events, attend conferences and webinars, and receive a subscription to the School Social Work Journal.

Dedicated to advancing social work research, the SSWR provides several resources for social work practitioners, educators, researchers, and doctoral students. The Society sponsors conferences and provides members with access to social work journals, training sessions, and job listings.

The SSWLHC supplies continuing education resources and professional development opportunities to social workers in the healthcare field. The association offers its members free webinars and conferences, and sponsors leadership institutes, discussion forums, and a mentorship program.