Careers in Community and Social Service

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Community and Social Service

Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.

Requires a Master's Degree or above

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

Community and Social Service

Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.

Requires a Master's Degree or above

Marriage and Family Therapists

Community and Social Service

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

Requires a Master's Degree or above

Mental Health Counselors

Community and Social Service

Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.

Requires a Master's Degree or above

Rehabilitation Counselors

Community and Social Service

Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.

Requires a Bachelor's Degree or above

Counselors, All Other

Community and Social Service

All counselors not listed separately.

No requirement is specified

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Community and Social Service

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

Requires a Bachelor's Degree or above

Healthcare Social Workers

Community and Social Service

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

Requires a Master's Degree or above

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Community and Social Service

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

Requires a Master's Degree or above

Social Workers, All Other

Community and Social Service

All social workers not listed separately.

No requirement is specified