Professional social workers earn either a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) or a master's degree in social work (MSW). Students who wish to specialize in forensic social work may choose a program that offers courses or even a concentration in the law and social work practice. For instance, Arizona State University has an Office of Forensic Social Work that promotes research projects and social work involvement in legal issues. This program involves both bachelor's degree and graduate-level social workers, giving them a chance to research and learn about forensic social work. Students can also choose to earn an MSW as well as a law degree.
Some social work programs offer students the possibility of earning a certificate in forensic social work. Certificate programs are for social workers who have already earned a bachelor's or master's degree. These programs offer the opportunity to take a series of classes specific to issues of forensic social work. Courses deal with child welfare, domestic and family law, immigration, adult criminal and juvenile justice, mental health, disability and public policy. For licensed professional social workers, some certificate programs in forensic social work can also count toward continuing education units that are required for licensing.
A general social work program on forensic issues offer a broad understanding of how social work interacts with the law. Clinical social workers, for instance, can learn about the pathology that can lead individual to interact with the criminal justice system. Social workers can learn principles, ethical concerns and treatment modalities related to helping people involved in the justice system. Forensic courses help social workers learn to work with juvenile offenders as well as people affected by drug and alcohol addictions and domestic violence.
All social work degrees require students to participate in fieldwork. For students earning a BSW, 400 hours of supervised fieldwork experience is required. MSW students are required to have at least 900 hours of supervised fieldwork experience. For students interested in specializing in forensic social work, fieldwork experience can be invaluable. Forensic social work fieldwork can include placements in courts, with child custody workers, forensic mental health hospitals, domestic violence advocacy, law enforcement, child welfare work, victim assistance programs and law enforcement.