BSW vs. MSW: What Are the Differences?
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A social work degree is often the first step toward working with people who need guidance, counseling, or crisis intervention.
Whether a bachelor of social work (BSW) or a master of social work (MSW) is right for you depends on your long-term career goals. A BSW covers foundational knowledge, while an MSW covers advanced social work and specialty topics, such as mental health or child welfare.
Each degree has pros and cons, so understanding the differences can help you decide whether a BSW or MSW is the better choice.
BSW Meaning
What is a BSW, exactly? A bachelor’s degree in social work prepares you for various entry-level jobs in the social work field, such as a case manager or direct service provider.
BSW programs teach you the basics of social work, advocacy, social welfare, and human behavior. These undergraduate programs typically take four years to complete.
The best BSW programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). These programs include a 400-hour field practicum requirement.
Typical BSW courses may include:
- Introduction to social work
- Social work and the law
- Human behavior and social environment
- Social work practice
- Research methods in social work
Jobs you can pursue with a BSW vary by state. You can become a licensed social worker in 39 states with a bachelor’s degree, but in the remaining 11 states, you need a master’s degree.
Case manager is one of the most common jobs held by BSW graduates.
Featured Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MSW Meaning
What is an MSW? A master’s in social work entails more advanced concepts in social work and counseling than a BSW does. This advanced degree also prepares you to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
With an MSW, you can qualify for most social work roles — and even some counseling roles.
CSWE-accredited MSW programs typically take two years to complete. They also require a minimum of 900 hours of field experience.
Sample MSW courses include:
- Social welfare policy and services
- Social work practice and processes
- Psychopathology
- Intervention planning and strategies
Featured Online MSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BSW vs. MSW: Key Differences
A BSW and an MSW differ primarily in focus, program length, and career paths. The table below summarizes the biggest differences between the two degrees.
| Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) | Master of Social Work (MSW) | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree Type | Undergraduate | Graduate |
| Program Length | 4 years | 2 years |
| Fieldwork | CSWE-accredited programs require at least 400 hours of supervised field experience | CSWE-accredited programs require at least 900 hours of supervised field experience |
| Coursework | Basic foundations in social work, human behavior, ethics, social welfare policy, and human services | Advanced concepts in social work processes, human services, human behavior, and ethics to prepare you for clinical practice |
| Career Paths | Entry-level social work roles, such as social worker, case manager, client advocate, child welfare specialist, and probation officer | Licensed clinical social worker, plus opportunities in child welfare, healthcare, counseling, and mental health |
| Earning Potential | $58,000 average base salary (Payscale, February 2024) | $61,000 average base salary (Payscale, June 2024) |
Degree Type
Perhaps the most obvious difference is that a BSW is an undergraduate degree, whereas an MSW is a graduate degree.
While you don’t need a BSW to get into an MSW program, having a basic understanding of key social work processes and issues can set you up for success in your master’s program. If you earn your BSW and decide to pursue MSW, you can often enter as an advanced standing student and complete your MSW in one year instead of two.
Aside from social work, other common majors for aspiring MSW students include psychology and counseling.
Program Length
As an undergraduate degree, a BSW typically takes four years to complete. In contrast, an MSW takes around two years.
That said, you can decrease the time it takes to get your BSW by transferring credits, taking AP classes in high school, and enrolling in summer classes.
Some schools offer accelerated social work programs, allowing you to earn your BSW or MSW degree in less time.
Coursework
BSW programs cover broad social work concepts to help you build foundational knowledge in areas like human behavior, client advocacy, and social policy.
MSW coursework focuses on higher-level concepts and more specialized topics, such as child welfare, trauma, addiction, and mental health.
Fieldwork
Accredited BSW and MSW programs both require fieldwork at a hospital, clinic, or school. This work typically involves supervised client interactions.
According to CSWE, a BSW program requires at least 400 hours of supervised fieldwork, whereas an MSW requires at least 900 supervised hours.
Career Paths
Most social work jobs you can pursue with a BSW are generalist practice roles and entry-level positions. For example, you could work as a health education specialist, community resource social worker, or correctional treatment specialist.
An MSW prepares you for more advanced clinical positions, such as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Other possible jobs include healthcare administrator and mental health social worker.
The following table provides an overview of popular social work jobs you can get with either a BSW or MSW.
| Job | Minimum Degree Required | Avg. Annual Salary | Job Growth Rate (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | Bachelor’s degree | $59,190 (May 2023) | 5% |
| Community Organizers | Bachelor’s degree | $46,250 (May 2024) | N/A |
| Health Education Specialists | Bachelor’s degree | $69,790 (May 2023) | 7% |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | Bachelor’s degree | $67,880 (May 2023) | 4% |
| Social and Community Service Managers | Bachelor’s degree | $83,400 (May 2023) | 8% |
| Social Services Case Managers | Bachelor’s degree | $46,290 (August 2024) | N/A |
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | Bachelor’s or master’s degree | $60,080 (May 2023) | 19% |
| Healthcare Social Workers | Master’s degree | $67,430 (May 2023) | 10% |
| Licensed Clinical Social Workers | Master’s degree | $66,810 (September 2024) | 7% (all social workers) |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | Master’s degree | $63,870 (May 2023) | 12% |
Earning Potential
Generally, you can expect to earn more money with an MSW than a BSW. That said, social work salaries can vary greatly depending on location, experience, and industry.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all social workers earned a median annual salary of $58,380 in May 2023. The 10% highest-earning social workers made $94,910 in median annual salary per year, while the lowest 10% earned less than $38,400.
LCSWs tend to earn more than non-clinical social workers. According to Payscale, LCSWs earn an average base salary of $66,590 as of July 2024.
In contrast, social workers — both clinical and non-clinical — earn an average salary of $55,060, or about $11,000 less than the average for LCSWs.
Should You Get a BSW or MSW?
There are many factors to consider before deciding whether a BSW, an MSW, or both is ultimately right for you.
Consider Getting a BSW if …
- You want to save money on your education by avoiding costs associated with a graduate degree.
- You’re unsure you want to pursue a career in social work, so you’d like an introduction to the subject.
- You’re interested in becoming a caseworker or working another social work job that doesn’t require a master’s degree.
Consider Getting an MSW if …
- You want to become a licensed clinical social worker or another job requiring an MSW.
- You want a promotion in your current social work job and believe an MSW will help set you apart from other candidates.
- You’re interested in the research side of social work.
Frequently Asked Questions About BSW vs. MSW Degrees
With an MSW, you can provide direct care and counseling to patients, which you can’t do with a BSW alone. Note, however, that you’ll need state licensure and an MSW to provide most clinical services to patients.
Social workers with a BSW often work more generalist roles. While they may still provide care to clients, they must do so under the supervision of someone with an MSW or higher.
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