by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 2 U.S. colleges awarded 31 degrees and certificates in Forensic Social Work. Graduates earn a median $49,742 one year after completing, rising to $60,555 after four years.
A major in Forensic Social Work covers A Program That Prepares Individuals To Serve As Social Workers In Correctional Facilities, Mental Health Hospitals, The Justice System, Substance Abuse Treatment Programs, And Victim Assistance. Includes Instruction In Forensic Social Work, Criminal Justice Administration, Domestic Violence, Ethics, Juvenile Justice Systems, Mental Illness And Crime, Program Evaluation, And Research Methods.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, forensic social work is a widely-pursued major, with 31 degrees awarded annually. 2 colleges award forensic social work degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 26.
All 31 of the awards are associate degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 74% of forensic social work degrees and certificates in the latest year (23 of 31). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (20) and Black or African American (6).
O*NET rates Speaking the most important skill for jobs related to forensic social work, at 4.4 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are Therapy and Counseling, Psychology and Education and Training. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Speech Clarity and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a forensic social work degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 31 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to forensic social work, at 34.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 34.6% |
| Master’s degree | 34.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 18.6% |
| First professional degree | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.8% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Forensic Social Work, with an average median salary of $80,826; the strongest outlook belongs to Social and Community Service Managers, at 13.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Assistant Professor, University Faculty Member, Clinical Professor and Health Social Work Professor.
The occupation related to forensic social work with the most projected jobs is Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary, at 839,680.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | 839,680 | 7.7% |
| Healthcare Social Workers | 251,555 | 12.1% |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 206,409 | 1.0% |
| Social and Community Service Managers | 181,916 | 13.3% |
| Social Workers, All Other | 142,086 | 4.8% |
Forensic Social Work graduates earn a median $49,742 one year after completing their program, $60,555 after four years and $57,938 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,742 |
| 4 years | $60,555 |
| 5 years | $57,938 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to forensic social work, with a median salary of $156,089.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Social and Community Service Managers | $156,089 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $78,044 |
| Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | $65,510 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $62,827 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $41,658 |
Forensic Social Work has 3 similar majors in the Public & Social Service field, which together award 58,092 degrees a year; the largest are Social Work (57,290), Social Work, Other (570) and Youth Services/Administration (232). Browse all Public & Social Service majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 57,290 |
| Social Work, Other | 570 |
| Youth Services/Administration | 232 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.