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Social Work Licensure
So how did social work begin? And how did social work become a profession? The evolution from charitable organizations in the 1840s to today’s sophisticated professional field represents one of America’s most significant social transformations.
In fact, the evolution of social work tracks with many major historical developments in the United States, from the Civil War to the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting our nation’s ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable populations.
Social services have consistently expanded and evolved to better address civic issues and support Americans facing hardship across the nation. Today’s social workers continue this legacy through specialized practice areas, including clinical social work, school social work, and healthcare social work, each of which requires specific education and licensure.
Key Issues in the History of Social Work
Throughout American history, social workers have addressed critical societal challenges that continue to shape the profession today. Understanding these historical focus areas helps prospective social workers appreciate the breadth of the field and identify their own areas of interest.
Some of the key issues that social workers have historically devoted their efforts to include:
- Poverty and economic inequality
- Food insecurity and nutrition access
- Racial injustice and civil rights
- Gender discrimination and women’s rights
- Disability rights and accessibility
- LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy
- Domestic and sexual violence prevention
- Child abuse prevention and family preservation
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment
- Immigration and refugee services
In short, for over 180 years, social workers have organized to address the problems that plague our society. Modern social workers continue this tradition while adapting to contemporary challenges, such as digital inequality, climate displacement, and the delivery of telehealth services.
To learn more about the historical development of social work in the U.S., including a comprehensive social work history timeline, read on. For those interested in pursuing this noble profession, consider exploring BSW programs or MSW programs to begin your journey.
Turning Points in the History of Social Work: A Timeline
Below is a comprehensive timeline of social work history, outlining its key events and gradual development. As you will see, many of the most significant developments in the history of social work in the U.S.A. have emerged from other significant historical events, including wars, economic downturns, social justice movements, and public health crises. In some eras, these incidents led to expansions in social services, especially during times of widespread hardship when the need for government support became unavoidable. At other times, conservative movements led to the weakening of federally supported social services.
Whether strongly supported by the U.S. government or not, the history of social work closely aligns with the evolution of American political events, providing an illuminating picture of social services as they exist today and educating us about what can still be done to improve the lives of underprivileged Americans.
1840 – 1880: The Origins of Social Work
The history of social work in America begins with the development of public programs during the 1840s and 1850s to address poverty issues that had arisen in large cities, largely due to rapid urbanization and the steady influx of immigrant populations arriving in the United States. These organizations focused primarily on housing and child welfare, which were seen as the most dire issues facing Americans in poverty.
Key developments during this period included the establishment of the Children’s Aid Society (1853) and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) (1851). The need for more welfare programs intensified during the Civil War, leading to the creation of several new organizations, including the American Red Cross (1881), to help Americans through the state of emergency. These were independent organizations not supported at the federal level, but they created an understanding of the need to help those who were disadvantaged and a structure for how to do so. This impulse to help those in need has become a defining part of the American identity, carrying forward across the social work history timeline into the present day.
1880 – 1910: The Rise of Social Work Programs and Education
Social welfare continued to expand throughout the nineteenth century, often under names such as “scientific charity” or “organized charity.” These initiatives included public education programs, the creation of settlement houses, and pension programs. Many of these services grew into full-fledged institutions that still exist today, credited with introducing the concept of social insurance in the U.S.
By the turn of the century, the earliest forms of social work education programs had been founded, laying the groundwork for social services to expand greatly in the century to come. These included Hull House (1889), a Chicago-based settlement house founded by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr, and the Boston School for Social Workers (1904), founded at Simmons College in Boston in collaboration with Harvard University. Mary Richmond’s publication of “Social Diagnosis” in 1917 established the foundation for professional casework methodology that continues to influence practice today.
1914 – 1928: World War I and the Expansion of Social Work
The role of social workers evolved significantly after World War I broke out, as the US Army called for assistance from Red Cross workers to help soldiers deal with post-traumatic stress caused by battlefield experiences. This ushered in new expectations for the field of social work, expanding its focus from exclusively addressing poverty to include those affected by other hardships. That U.S. soldiers had sustained traumas while fighting for their country made a sympathetic public eager to support their recovery.
During this period, the National Association of Social Workers’ predecessor organizations were formed, including the American Association of Social Workers (1921), marking the beginning of professional standardization in the field.
1929 – 1939: Social Work During the Great Depression
While many social work programs began during the mid-19th century, they were initially regarded as charitable or philanthropic activities rather than a government responsibility. This shifted dramatically after the stock market crash of 1929, when Americans’ needs became so great and widespread that government support became an undeniable necessity.
Over the following decade, the U.S. Government under Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated numerous social welfare programs under the New Deal, which remains the largest-scale social service initiative in American history. The sweep of the New Deal was expansive, with programs addressing child welfare, poverty and housing, educational inequality, cultural vitality, and more. Among the most notable was the Works Progress Administration (WPA), an initiative that employed millions of jobless individuals to complete public works projects nationwide, including the construction of major infrastructure still in use today.
The Social Security Act of 1935 established the foundation for America’s social safety net, creating programs for old-age insurance, unemployment insurance, and aid to dependent children. When we examine the landscape of social services in the United States today, the long-term impact of the New Deal remains evident.
The Great Depression also raised Americans’ awareness of the need for stronger protections and support for working people. Social workers actively participated in workers’ advocacy throughout this period, campaigning for workers’ rights, higher labor standards, better pay, and improved working conditions. This was especially true during the Great Depression, when the need for social workers expanded exponentially.
1940 – 1950: Social Workers During and After WWII
While World War I introduced social workers into military support roles, World War II greatly expanded the services they provided to service members. These included psychological support for those suffering from PTSD, counseling, and additional resources to help veterans reintegrate into civilian life, especially when individuals sustained long-term injuries impacting their livelihoods and daily lives.
Social workers also recognized the need to support military families, who faced economic impacts and care-related hardships when loved ones returned from war. The field of social work helped identify some of the biggest needs of Americans and their relationship to large-scale national actions.
World War II is considered a pivotal turning point in the development of social work history, leading to efforts to professionalize the field through systems and organizations that strengthened it, embedding social services more deeply into American life than ever before. The GI Bill (1944) provided educational opportunities for returning veterans, including many who pursued careers in social work.
1960s: The Legacy of Social Workers and the Civil Rights Movement
Among the most inspiring events in American social work history is the Civil Rights Movement. Social workers made vital contributions to the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which promoted equity by making segregation in public spaces and employment discrimination illegal, while also protecting the voting rights of Black Americans. Social workers played a crucial role in shaping this policy, having developed a deep understanding of the needs of disadvantaged populations.
Indeed, social workers were central players in civil rights activism throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, with notable figures including civil rights advocate Dorothy Height, known reverently as “the godmother of the civil rights movement,” and activist Lester Blackwell Granger, who alongside Martin Luther King Jr., met with President Eisenhower to recommend new civil rights policies. Learn more about these and other famous social workers who shaped American history.
Beyond anti-discrimination efforts, social workers contributed to civil rights causes throughout the 1960s with support from President Lyndon B. Johnson. This included the War on Poverty, a series of government programs aimed at combating economic inequality at multiple levels. Acts passed by Johnson included the Economic Opportunity Act and the Older Americans Act, while several key programs were founded that still exist today, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Office of Economic Opportunity, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Food Stamps program (now SNAP).
1970s, 1980s, and 1990s: The Decline in Federally Supported Social Work Programs
After the great expansion of social work programs throughout the first half of the 20th century, President Richard Nixon’s arrival in office marked a new era of cutbacks to social services. President Ronald Reagan’s arrival in the 1980s extended these cuts despite the rise of several new crises, including the crack cocaine epidemic, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, homelessness, and domestic violence.
During this period, important legislation still emerged, including the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (1974) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). With government-subsidized social services significantly reduced, social work continued primarily through private and nonprofit organizations, which were designed to fill sudden gaps in support for underserved populations. This remained true even as Republican leadership gave way to Democratic leadership with the election of Bill Clinton in the 1990s, whose welfare reform policies also undermined existing social services. The field of social work has never returned to its mid-20th-century prominence in American government programs.
2000 – 2019: Social Work in the New Millennium
The early 21st century brought new challenges and opportunities for social workers. The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks created urgent needs for trauma-informed care and disaster response social work. The Great Recession of 2008 highlighted economic vulnerabilities and increased demand for social services, while the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 expanded healthcare access and created new roles for social workers in integrated healthcare settings.
During this period, social work education evolved to meet changing needs, with increased emphasis on evidence-based practice, cultural competence, and specialized certifications. The rise of digital technology began transforming service delivery, though in-person interventions remained the standard of practice.
2020 – Present: Social Work in the Pandemic Era and Beyond
The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally transformed social work practice, accelerating changes that might have taken decades to implement. Social workers rapidly adapted to provide telehealth services, with 95% of mental health facilities offering telehealth by 2021, according to SAMHSA data. The pandemic highlighted existing health disparities and created new challenges, including increased mental health needs, domestic violence, and child welfare concerns.
Recent developments shaping modern social work include:
- Racial Justice Movement (2020-present): Following George Floyd’s death, social workers have intensified efforts to address systemic racism and promote antiracist practice models
- Mental Health Crisis Response: Growing recognition of mental health needs has led to expanded roles for social workers in crisis intervention and co-responder programs with law enforcement
- Climate Change and Environmental Justice: Social workers increasingly address climate-related displacement and environmental health disparities
- Technology Integration: Artificial intelligence, digital therapeutics, and data analytics are transforming assessment and intervention methods
- Student Loan Forgiveness Programs: The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program has become crucial for social work recruitment and retention
Social Work Today: Programs and Services
Today, the Department of Health and Human Services oversees numerous programs providing social services to vulnerable and at-risk populations. These include:
- Unaccompanied Children Services, supporting refugees without families
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Head Start, supporting low-income children under five
- Foster care and adoption services
- Disability services
- Senior services and elder care
- Homelessness prevention and services
- Military family support
- Substance abuse and mental health services
As you can see, many services offered today by DHHS originate from social programs first developed in earlier American history. While these problems have persisted, social workers practicing today can take pride in contributing to this country’s rich history of social work.
The Evolution of Social Work Salaries
Understanding how social work compensation has evolved helps prospective social workers make informed decisions about their careers. The following table shows the progression of social work salaries over key periods:
| Era | Median Annual Salary (2024 dollars) | Key Development |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | $42,000-45,000 | Professionalization begins; MSW becomes standard |
| 1980s | $48,000-52,000 | Specialization increases; clinical licensure expands |
| 2000s | $50,000-54,000 | Evidence-based practice; healthcare integration |
| 2024 | $55,350 | Telehealth expansion; specialized certifications valued |
According to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, social work salaries vary significantly by specialization, with healthcare social workers earning a median of $62,940 and clinical social workers reaching $60,000 or more with experience. The profession continues to advocate for improved compensation commensurate with the advanced education and critical services social workers provide.
Resources for Prospective Social Workers
If you are inspired by the social work history timeline outlined above, there are excellent paths to pursue a profession in the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a strong job growth rate of 7% through 2034, indicating an increasing number of professional opportunities for social workers in the future. Now is an excellent time to begin a social work career.
Those looking to take the next steps in their social work careers should explore these resources:
- Online Social Work Programs for flexible learning options
- Social Work Licensure Requirements by State
- Frequently Asked Questions for Social Workers
- Professional organizations like the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
To learn even more about this fascinating legacy beyond our social work history timeline, explore our guide to important historical figures in social work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work History
When did social work become a profession?
Social work began professionalizing in the early 1900s with the establishment of formal education programs. The first social work training program was established in 1898 in New York, and by 1919, there were 17 schools of social work in the United States. The formation of professional associations in the 1920s and the development of the NASW Code of Ethics in 1960 solidified social work as a distinct profession.
Who is considered the founder of social work in America?
Jane Addams and Mary Richmond are considered founding figures of American social work. Jane Addams founded Hull House in Chicago in 1889 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 for her work. Mary Richmond developed the concept of casework and wrote “Social Diagnosis” (1917), which established professional social work methodology. Both women made significant contributions to the modern practice of social work.
What was the first school of social work?
The New York School of Philanthropy (now Columbia University School of Social Work) was established in 1898 as the first formal social work training program. The Boston School for Social Workers at Simmons College, founded in 1904, was among the first to offer a full academic program. These institutions established the foundation for social work education that continues today through CSWE-accredited programs.
How has social work changed since its beginning?
Social work has evolved from charitable volunteer work to a licensed profession requiring advanced education. Key changes include the development of specialized practice areas, integration with healthcare systems, adoption of evidence-based practices, expansion of licensure requirements, the embrace of technology and telehealth, and an increased focus on social justice and systemic change. Today’s social workers must complete accredited degree programs and pass licensing exams to be eligible to practice.
What role did social workers play in major American social movements?
Social workers have played a pivotal role in nearly every major American social movement. They were key architects of the New Deal programs, leaders in the Civil Rights Movement, advocates for disability rights leading to the ADA, pioneers in the women’s suffrage movement, and champions of LGBTQ+ rights. Social workers continue this tradition today through advocacy for immigration reform, criminal justice reform, and healthcare access.
