Why Social Work Students and New Professionals Join NASW
NASW membership opens doors for establishing a successful career in social work. NASW membership supports social work students and new professionals with resources that complement their studies, further their learning, and prepare them for professional life.
1. Take your learning beyond the classroom
Take your learning beyond the classroom with .
NASW members have access to resources that experienced social workers use every day. Most of these resources are free or discounted for members.
Members have unlimited access to databases from leading research institutions, think tanks, and advocacy organizations.
Membership includes an online subscription to Social Work journal. Members also receive discounted subscription rates on NASW's specialty journals.
NASW's award-winning magazine carries in-depth feature articles on social work trends and issues. Membership includes access to the flipbook version of the full magazine.
Listen to conversations with experts on topics that social workers care about. Suicide prevention, environmental justice, supporting LGBTQIA2S+ youth, and more.
Prepare for private practice by attending An Hour With Private Practice, a member-only question-and-answer live virtual session held every other month.
NASW's offers members hundreds of courses on a variety of topics, included in your membership or at discounted rates. Take your learning beyond the classroom.
2. Belong to a Community of Social Workers
NASW membership includes membership in your local chapter at no additional cost. This dual membership gives you a vital connection to social workers where you live.
Connect with peers and mentors across the country, ask questions, and find mentors. Search discussions on supervision and licensing exam preparation as you transition from student to new professional.
Join a Specialty Practice Section designed for social workers in 11 practice areas. SPS members are invited to participate in their corresponding subcommunity on MyNASW:
- Children, Youth, and Schools
- Clinical Social Work, Aging, and Health
- Social Justice, Administration, and Courts
3. Prepare for Professional Life
Get career tips and learn how to stand out when applying for jobs and internships. Find social work jobs in NASW's JobLink, upload your resume, and receive job-opening alerts.
Volunteering with NASW at the national and chapter levels demonstrates a professional commitment to employers; develops leadership, teamwork, and communications skills; and opens career doors.
You can volunteer on the national or chapter board of directors, committees and task forces, write for your chapter's newsletter or for one of NASW's blogs, help plan events, and more.
4. Take Action
Members roar as one through advocacy organized at the NASW national and chapter levels.
Help Move Legislation Through Congress
NASW’s Advocacy listserv keeps members current on national and local legislation.
Attend Student Advocacy Day
Get involved with your chapter’s advocacy efforts and learn more about issues facing people in your state. Visit your state capitol with your NASW chapter and speak with your state legislators.
NASW 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 protect the voting process.
5. Get Help With Educational Costs
The NASW Foundation offers scholarships and doctoral fellowships for social work students.
NASW works with Savi, 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 NASW Dues
Student dues cost up to 75% less than regular dues. To keep your discounted student rate, just 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.
6. Get Professional Support
NASW members facing ethical dilemmas can talk privately with NASW ethics staff. Consultation services guide members through the applicable standards in the Code of Ethics to make reasoned ethical decisions.
Our practice experts create practice tools that discuss and make recommendations about today's social work challenges and help you advance your career.
7. Protect Yourself from Lawsuits
NASW's Legal Defense Fund provides individual legal consultations for our members on social work practice issues as a benefit included in your membership.
NASW Assurance Services, Inc (ASI) offers malpractice insurance (also called professional liability insurance) created for social work students. Individual coverage is a critical for your professional protection.
ASI sponsors free risk-management educational workshops. 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.