Health, Equity and Wellness Pathway

Do you want to improve health and wellness for individuals and communities, advocate for policy reform across health care delivery systems or promote well-being for the most marginalized individuals? Complete the next step toward becoming an integrated health practitioner by earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) online with a pathway in Health, Equity and Wellness. 

As a student in the online MSW program, you will learn a variety of practice skills, theories and evidence-based modalities. Your new knowledge will enable you to incorporate problem-solving and integrative, strength-based approaches to your social work practice, keeping in mind health care trends, the mind-body connection, interdisciplinary collaboration and social justice in health.

Work in dynamic settings where you can help improve health and quality of life for individuals and communities at micro, mezzo and macro levels while focusing on the principles of health equity.

Social workers are problem-solvers who research and advocate for community resources, such as access to culturally responsive health care, to assist and improve a client’s well-being. They develop and evaluate programs and services to ensure that basic client needs are met.

After completing the Health, Equity and Wellness pathway, you will be prepared to sit for the licensure exam to become a social worker in medical and integrated health and wellness settings, including hospitals, hospices, outpatient clinics, school-based health clinics and experiential treatment settings. 

Courses in the Health, Equity and Wellness pathway highlight the history of health and health disparities and prepares students for culturally responsive social work practice with an interdisciplinary team. The curriculum also focuses on clinical skills, leadership and advocacy in health and wellness administration, and policy practice. 

Sample Job titles may include: Health Advocate, Public Health Educator, Health Equity Specialist, Community Health Advocate, Community Wellness Clinician 

Required Theory  
SOWK 4325: Evolving Perspectives & Trends in Health & Wellness  

Required Assessment Skills  
SOWK 4338: Assessment of MH Across the Lifespan  

Required Ethics, Safety, & Supervisory Skills  
SOWK 4340: Leadership & Supervision Skills  
SOWK 4752: Trauma Informed Assessment & Interventions  
SOWK 4784: Suicide Assessment & Interventions  

Required Intervention Skills   
SOWK 4700: Solution Focused Brief Therapy  
SOWK 4723: SW Practice in Health  
SOWK 4730: Cognitive Behavioral Therapies *taken as elective  

Required Policy & Advocacy Skills  
SOWK 4655: Mental Health & Health Care Policy  

Required Evaluation & Research Skills  
SOWK 4900: Methods for Evaluating Practice & Programs 

Required Values   
SOWK 4235: Disproportionality & Disparities  
SOWK 4545: SW Practice with LGBTQIA Communities *taken as elective  
SOWK 4790: Human Sexuality *taken as elective  

Additional Electives  
SOWK 4521: Advanced Skills for Working with Military Families

Sample job titles may include: Medical social worker, dialysis social worker, hospice social worker, outpatient clinical social worker, LCSW, Behavioral Health Clinician/Therapist 

Required Theory  
SOWK 4325: Evolving Perspectives & Trends in Health & Wellness  

Required Assessment Skills  
SOWK 4338: Assessment of MH Across the Lifespan  

Required Ethics, Safety, & Supervisory Skills  
SOWK 4752: Trauma Informed Assessment & Interventions  
SOWK 4784: Suicide Assessment & Interventions *taken as elective  

Required Intervention Skills  
SOWK 4401: Integrated Health Care 
SOWK 4723: SW Practice in Health *taken as elective  
SOWK 4730: Cognitive Behavioral Therapies *taken as elective  

Required Policy & Advocacy Skills  
SOWK 4655: Mental Health & Health Care Policy  

Required Evaluation & Research Skills  
SOWK 4900: Methods for Evaluating Practice & Programs 

Required Values  
SOWK 4235: Disproportionality & Disparities
SOWK 4790: Human Sexuality *taken as elective

Health and wellness industry statistics indicate growth for the global health and wellness market with an expected 6% increase from 2018 to 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because the industry growth rate is increasing, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that health care social work jobs are projected to grow by 14% between 2019 and 2029. 

An article on Business Wire states that market growth is a result of the growing urban population and an increase of mental illness, which can lead to adverse effects on an individual’s lifestyle and health. As professionals and organizations seek to combat mental illness, the overall health and wellness industry growth rate will continue to increase. Social workers are recognized in the industry as the professionals who contribute to effective teams and patient satisfaction. 

Health and wellness salaries for social workers vary depending on many factors, such as education, experience, workplace and location.