Profession · Domains · Partner Schools

Explore Social Work in NC

Learn what social work is, why public service careers matter, and where to study, from the five critical service domains to 25 partner campuses across North Carolina.

What Is Social Work?

Social work is a practice-based profession and academic discipline that facilitates social change, development, cohesion, and the empowerment of people and communities. It involves understanding human behavior, social systems, and policies that affect individual and community well-being.

Social workers practice in a wide range of settings, from hospitals and schools to government agencies and community organizations, always with the goal of helping people navigate challenges and build stronger lives.

Social worker in a one-on-one counseling session
Community member connecting with a family at an outreach event

Why Social Work?

Social workers make a tangible difference, advocating for justice, connecting families to resources, supporting mental health, and building community resilience. It is a career defined by purpose and impact.

Social Work Ethics

The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. These core values, embraced by social workers throughout the profession’s history, are the foundation of social work’s unique purpose and perspective. The profession operates on six core values, each backed by an ethical principle that guides daily practice:

  • Service — Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems.
  • Social justice — Social workers challenge social injustice.
  • Dignity and worth of the person — Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person.
  • Importance of human relationships — Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships.
  • Integrity — Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.
  • Competence — Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop their professional expertise.

For the full standards, see the NASW Code of Ethics.

The 5 Critical Service Domains

Child and Family Services

Protecting children and strengthening families through prevention, assessment, intervention, and support services. Social workers in this domain work to ensure safety, stability, and well-being for children and their caregivers.

Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Substance Use Treatment Services

Addressing the growing need for mental health services across all ages and communities. Social workers provide clinical assessments, therapeutic interventions, crisis support, and system navigation to individuals and families dealing with mental and behavioral health challenges.

Health, Aging, and Caregiving

Supporting older adults and their caregivers through the complexities of aging, chronic illness, and long-term care. Social workers in this area connect families with resources, coordinate care, and advocate for quality of life and dignity.

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full, self-determined lives. Social workers provide case management, advocacy, transition planning, and community integration services.

Justice-Involved Individuals

Working with individuals and communities affected by the criminal legal system, including reentry support, diversion programs, victim services, and systemic advocacy for reform and equity.

Why Public Service?

Public service social work positions, in agencies like DSS, DMH, and community nonprofits, are the backbone of the social safety net. These roles are essential, impactful, and often the hardest to fill. PSLP exists to strengthen the pipeline of prepared, resilient social workers entering these critical roles across North Carolina.

Voices from the Field

Practitioners across the five critical service domains, in their own words, on what makes this work matter.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize how incredibly fulfilling my job has been. The number of times I’ve been able to feel like I’ve made a connection with somebody and it’s made a difference, and it’s changed their life in some way.

Larry Ellsworth Service to Justice-Involved Individuals

Public service is important because it brings communities together.

Karey Perez Health, Aging & Caregiving

It takes a village to do social work. It is not something for a lone ranger. You have to have that village. That village can be your coworkers.

Wanda Reives Child & Family Services

You get a chance to work with people that have felt othered, that have felt less than, that have felt not seen, and you get an opportunity to stand with them, support them, be in the same spaces and help them see that they do belong.

Dr. Price Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

NC Partner Schools

Explore the map and directory below to learn about our 25 partner campuses across North Carolina.

Browse all 25 schools by region

Explore Partner Schools by Region

Select a region below to view participating schools.

Ready to Get Involved?

Whether you’re a student, practitioner, or community partner, PSLP has a path for you.

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