Student Benefits & Resources

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From Campus to Career, Succeed With NASW

young adults standing close together in group, join NASW

Joining the National Association of Social Workers while you are a student or new professional helps you build a strong and satisfying social work career. Students and new professionals who join NASW gain real-world knowledge of the profession and the communities social workers serve that goes beyond a textbook and degree.

Through membership, students and new professionals can learn and experience social work at the national, state, and local levels — NASW membership includes both national and chapter memberships.

Students who join NASW before graduation save up to 75% on regular membership dues.

Students who maintain continuous NASW membership after graduation continue to receive discounted rates the first 2-3 years after graduation.



Social Work Student Events

NASW invites all social work students and recent graduates to our free student-focused events to enhance your skills and connect you with colleagues from across the country.


Dual Degrees in Social Work 

Thursday, June 15, 2023
6:00-7:30 pm ET

It is not uncommon for social workers to consider dual degree programs during undergrad, graduate, or doctoral programs. Besides social work, many individuals also pursue degrees in law, business, public policy, public health, urban planning, information sciences, and more. What can be some of the benefits of combining degrees and specialties? Social work students from across the country are invited to NASW's June 2023 Student Series webinar, where they will hear directly from a panel of dual-degreed individuals about their experiences and career trajectories. Bring your questions! 

Register for "Dual Degrees in Social Work"


Building Your Professional Brand as an Emerging Social Worker

Thursday, June 22, 2023
6:00-7:30 pm ET

Join NASW and nationally known social work career coach Harleny Vasquez, LMSW, as she facilitates a conversation on how emerging social workers can build your personal brand to market themselves effectively to get hired using platforms such as LinkedIn. 

Register for "Building Your Professional Brand as an Emerging Social Worker"


See All Social Work Student Events >>



Undoing Racism in Social Work

NASW acknowledges the social work profession and this association have not always lived up to our mission of pursuing social justice for all. We apologize for supporting policies and activities that have harmed people of color.

Read "Undoing Racism through Social Work: NASW Report to the Profession on Social Justice Priorities". And visit our racial equity page to learn what we are doing to promote racial equity.


Join NASW!

We need you as our member to continue this work. Your membership enables NASW to provide resources that are reliable, timely, and critical for social workers. 

Membership in NASW includes membership in your NASW state chapter. Visit your chapter website for the most relevant information for social workers in your area.


Top Reasons Why Students & New Professionals Join NASW

NASW membership helps social work students and new professionals every day. Members have access to resources that complement their studies, further their learning, and prepare them for professional life.

young woman at laptop taking notes

NASW membership takes learning beyond the classroom and provides students and new professionals with resources experienced social workers use every day to help them be the best social workers possible and to help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Students and new professionals who join NASW have access to the insights, best practices, and knowledge of established social workers. Most of these resources are free or discounted for students.


NASW Research Library

Back your thesis with evidence-based research found at NASW’s online Research Library. Members have unlimited access to databases from leading research institutions, think tanks, and advocacy organizations.

NASW Social Work Journal

Examine current social problems and evaluate new techniques and research. Membership includes a free online subscription to Social Work. Members also receive discounted subscription rates on NASW's specialty journals, which provide articles on innovations in practice, interdisciplinary efforts, research, program evaluation, policy, and planning.

Social Work Advocates Magazine

NASW's award-winning magazine, Social Work Advocates, carries in-depth feature articles about social work trends and issues. Membership includes online access. Visit the Social Work Advocates archives to catch up on issues you missed prior to joining as an NASW member.

Social Work Talks Podcast

Hear from experts on topics that social workers care about. Self-care and PPE, social distancing and mental health, violence, bullying, LGBTQIA2S+ support, social media and video games, immigration, social work salaries – the topics go on and on.

Private Practice Q&A Sessions

Prepare for your future private solo or group practice by familiarizing yourself with issues and updates affecting clinical social work practice in these settings. "An Hour With Private Practice" is a free, members-only question-and-answer session held every other month on selected topics. Just dial-in to join each session.

Webinars, Conferences, and Complementary Learning Opportunities

NASW's Social Work Online CE Institute offers members hundreds of courses on a variety of topics—at discounted rates or free of charge. Take your learning beyond the classroom and your degree with webinars, webcasts, podcasts, and presentations on topics affecting today's social workers.

Chapter Membership

NASW membership includes membership in your state NASW chapter, at no additional cost. This dual membership gives you that much-needed connection to social work where you live or study. Meet other students and new professionals at chapter-run events.


MyNASW

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The MyNASW online member community is a fast way to connect with social workers across the country. Join or start a discussion, ask questions, find mentors, and more. Search discussions on supervision and licensing exam preparation as you transition from student to new professional. You can connect with students and practicing social workers in the All-Member Community, or share thoughts with students like you in the student-led Student Community.


Specialty Practice Sections

Focus your learning by joining an NASW Specialty Practice Section (SPS). SPS tailors resources, information, and education to meet the needs of social workers in 11 practice areas. As an added bonus, SPS members can participate in their corresponding MyNASW subcommunity, at no extra charge:

  • Children, Youth, and Schools, which is exclusively for members of the School Social Work; Child Welfare; and Children, Adolescents & Young Adults Specialty Practice Sections.
  • Clinical Social Work, Aging, and Health, which is exclusively for members of the Aging; Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs; Health; Mental Health; and Private Practice Specialty Practice Sections.
  • Social Justice, Administration, and Courts, which is exclusively for members of the Administration/Supervision, Social and Economic Justice & Peace, and Social Work and the Courts Specialty Practice Sections.

NASW helps students and new professionals best prepare for a career in social work. NASW membership opens doors for establishing satisfying and successful careers in social work.


NASW Career Center

Well before graduation, students across the country check in with the NASW Career Center to explore the many career paths in social work and to get job outlook information. Students and new professionals find career tips and learn how to stand out among other candidates applying for the same jobs and internships. And when it's time to search job openings, NASW members can search social work positions in NASW's JobLink database, receive job-opening alerts, and upload their resumes to a candidate database for employers.


Volunteer Opportunities

Professionalize your undergraduate experience. Grow your career. Members who want to demonstrate a professional commitment to employers; develop leadership, teamwork, and communications skills; and open career doors volunteer at the NASW national and chapter levels. Volunteer for committees and task forces, write for your chapter's newsletter, help plan events, and more. Meet student and practicing members on the NASW national board of directors and chapter boards of directors.

act-action things change

Members roar as one through advocacy organized at the NASW national and chapter levels.

Move Social Work Legislation Through Congress

NASW national’s Advocacy listserv keeps members current on legislation in Washington, DC, and in their own state capitols. In seconds members can add their names to pre-written e-communications to politicians to advance legislation that supports our profession, our clients, and our communities. Sign up for legislative alerts.

Attend Student Advocacy Day With Your Chapter

Visit your state capitol with your NASW chapter and hear from your state legislators. Learn about your chapter’s advocacy efforts and get insights into issues facing people in your state. See how policy is created.

Mobilize Voters and Eliminate Voting Barriers

NASW provides voter participation training and has been working with allied organizations such as Rock the Vote, Young Invincibles, and the Brennan Center for Justice to eliminate barriers to voter registration and turnout, build young people’s political power, protect voting rights, and shield the voting process from hacks and breakdowns.

chalkboard, student loan debt

From tuition to books, education costs can add up and take years to pay off. Through NASW membership, members have access to resources to help them with those costs and student loan management.


Apply for Scholarships and Fellowships

The NASW Foundation hosts scholarships and doctoral fellowships established to assist students pursuing a variety of social work specialties. Apply for fellowships in health care and scholarships involving work with African American communities and with American Indian and Latino populations. Check eligibility and apply at naswfoundation.org.


Understand and Manage Your Student Loans

NASW connects you to student loan management tools and resources. Compare and enroll in a student loan repayment program that is best for you.


Save on Next Year’s Dues

At NASW, we understand the cost of a social work education. That's why we discount student member dues by up to 75% off regular dues. To keep your discounted student rate, simply renew by your Membership Renewal Date. Renew on time during your student years and we'll continue discounted dues for you the first years after you graduate so long as you maintain continuous NASW membership throughout.

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Ethics and Legal Consultations

NASW members facing ethical dilemmas related to their fieldwork practicum and social work-related legal issues can talk privately with NASW ethics and legal staff. These are free services that are highly valued by our members.

NASW's ethics and legal teams also provide self-serve resources to help uncover ethics considerations, apply the profession's Code of Ethics appropriately, and understand the social work perspective in legal matters.

Practice Expert at National Level

When you join NASW, you help ensure that there’s a dedicated practice expert at the national level who advocates for you and for the populations and communities you want to serve. Our practice experts work to get you practice tools that discuss and make recommendations about today's social work challenges and successes and help prepare you for and advance in your professional social work career.

Malpractice Insurance for Students

As you approach field practice assigned by your school of social work, make sure that you obtain the comprehensive field placement malpractice coverage offered by the NASW Risk Retention Group. Whether you are in the beginning of your social work education or are pursuing an advanced degree, individual coverage is a critical start to your professional advocacy and risk management plan. NASW Assurance Services (ASI) offers malpractice insurance (also called professional liability insurance) created for social work students. ASI has drawn on its experience in protecting members to greatly enhance its coverage and provide you with broader protection.


Risk-Management Workshops

ASI sponsors free risk-management educational workshops, co-sponsored by NASW chapters and other hosts. These workshops cover social work malpractice issues, such as the extent of personal and organizational liability and recommended strategies for reducing your exposure to a social work malpractice suit.




Student Membership Types & Dues

Students save up to 75% off regular membership rates.

BSW/MSW Student: $60/year
Doctoral Student: $179/year
Associate Student: $60/year

Regular Full Membership

MSW / DSW / PhD: $236/year
BSW: $158/year

See all membership types & dues




NASW Leadership Summit: June 22

Invest in your personal growth and enhance your leadership skills by attending the NASW Leadership Summit, happening virtually on June 22. As an NASW student member, you receive a discounted rate.

Discover new ways to advance your social work leadership skills.

Register now for the NASW Leadership Summit


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My Favorite Benefit: Savi

Learn about how NASW has helped members manage and lower their student loan debt.


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Explore the Social Work Profession

Social work is an excellent career choice for those who care about human dignity and social justice. Learn about the many career options in the field, how to get started on a social work career path, internships, licensing, and more.


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Tips for Job Seekers

Get resources to help you progress from student to employed social work professional.


NASW Social Media



Why join NASW?

NASW members enjoy networking and professional development opportunities.

Learn about NASW membership benefits



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MyNASW

Build your network and share knowledge on MyNASW, the online community for NASW members.

Visit MyNASW


Members save 10% on books at NASW Press - call 800-227-3590

Code of Ethics

The NASW Code of Ethics is a set of standards for the professional conduct of social workers. 

Read the NASW Code of Ethics


Understanding Micro, Mezzo and Macro Social Work Practice

Learn about the different types of social work.

Read "Understanding Micro, Mezzo and Macro Social Work Practice"