Military and Veterans Social Work
The Military and Veterans Social Work Certificate will offer coursework designed to develop knowledge and skills for work in settings serving military, veterans and their families.
Military and Veterans Social Work, Graduate Certificate
A certificate in military social work prepares students to address specific aspects of military and veteran culture, issues that face military, veterans and their families, and specific interventions for this group of people. There are complex needs and issues facing military personnel, veterans, and families, including mental health issues, substance use issues, the effects of chronic and acute trauma experiences, as well as managing the reintegration from active duty to civilian life. Topics and course content focused on specific areas such as substance misuse, mental health, stress and coping, resilience, wellness, and advocacy are part of preparing students to serve military personnel, veterans, and families.
Military and Veterans Social Work, Graduate Certificate
Military social workers are in high demand. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest employer of social workers in the United States. The Department of Defense also employs social workers. Military social work careers include:
- Reintegration programs for military members returning from deployment
- Suicide prevention programs
- Behavioral health organizations that specialize in working with military, veterans, and their families
- Homelessness prevention initiatives and advocacy programs
- Policy organizations that address the needs of military, veterans, and families
MTSU鈥檚 Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that social work has a projected 6% growth rate in the next 10 years, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. There are an estimated 5,500 open social work positions in USAJOBS as of November 2025. A majority of these are settings serving military and veterans, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Given the demand for social work positions serving military, veterans, and their families, the certificate provides social work students with the opportunity to hone specialized skills in preparation for this area of social work practice.
More information about Military Social Work can be found at the National Association of Social Workers:
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