Requirements for a Career in Social Work
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Social work can be a high-stakes job, so the requirements for a career in social work are understandably rigorous.
There isn’t exactly a rule of thumb regarding what you’ll need to be a social worker. The various social work career paths have different prerequisites, including different degree or licensing requirements.
Whether you need a bachelor of social work (BSW), master of social work (MSW), or doctor of social work (DSW) degree depends on what you envision yourself doing as a social worker.
6 Social Work Careers
Social work is often used as a catch-all term, but in reality, there are different social work careers.
The top social work jobs and careers often describe the types of patients you’d be working with as a social worker. These subcategories may also have their own additional licensing requirements to practice in the U.S. This is not an exhaustive list, but includes some of the more common areas of social work practice.
School Social Worker
These social workers are often embedded within a K-12 school or school district. They provide crisis interventions for students and work with them to reach academic success, which can involve working with the student’s family, too.Clinical Social Worker
These social workers specialize in the identification and diagnosis of mental health or behavioral issues in patients. They then work with patients to treat issues or challenges, sometimes in a group setting.Case Manager
These professionals coordinate a patient’s care plan, often with other social workers. While case managers rarely offer counseling themselves, they may assess the effectiveness of services other counselors provide.Substance Use Counselor
These social workers work with patients with a substance use disorder. Licensed counselors try to understand the underlying cause of a patient’s addiction and create a plan to treat the disorder.Healthcare Social Worker
These social workers often work with patients who have been diagnosed with a medical illness or ailment. A healthcare social worker will help guide the patient and their family through the emotional toll such a diagnosis may have.Social Work Professor
Social workers are often needed to educate the next generation of social workers. After practicing in the field, some eventually transition to academia to work at colleges and universities.
Featured Online MSW Programs
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What Degree Do You Need to Be a Social Worker?
A social work degree is a minimum requirement for most careers in social work.
Even entry-level jobs within social work require at least a bachelor’s degree, though some case management jobs will allow you to work without a social work-specific degree. The majority of patient-facing social work jobs go even further and require you to earn at least a master’s degree. The difference between a BSW and an MSW is substantial for your career outlook.
Your graduate-level education should prepare you to earn a license to practice social work. However, you must apply for licensure within each state where you plan to practice.
Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW)
A bachelor of social work is typically a four-year program that introduces you to the basics of social work.
Common classes include:
- Psychology
- Social welfare policy
- Social work practice
- Research methods
Many patient-facing social work jobs require a graduate degree. With a BSW, you may still qualify for jobs like case manager or probation officer. BSWs are also less costly, as they only require four years of schooling instead of six for a bachelor’s and master’s.
Some social work jobs that only require a BSW can earn just as much — or more — than those requiring an MSW.
Social Work Careers – Median Salary (2023) & Degree Required
Social Workers
$58,380
Master’s Degree
Social and Community Service Managers
$77,030
Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s in Social Work
Most social work careers require at least a master’s in social work (MSW) degree.
An MSW program typically takes two years to complete after earning your bachelor’s degree. This stage is where you’ll learn more about best practices associated with being a social worker. You will also have heavy internship requirements while pursuing an MSW, so you’ll gain plenty of hands-on experience.
MSW programs typically cost more than BSW programs. However, a BSW may qualify you for advanced standing in your MSW program, meaning it can only take you one year instead of the usual two.
According to a 2023 survey from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), 48% of BSW graduates held student loan debt, the average of which was $27,183. A lower percentage of MSW students held student loan debt (34.6%), but they owed an average of $38,500 after graduation.
Doctorate Degree in Social Work
There are two types of doctoral degrees a social worker can earn:
- Doctor of social work (DSW)
- Doctor of philosophy (Ph.D) in social work
A DSW program focuses on the clinical side of social work. A DSW degree may help you stand apart from other social workers when it comes to leadership positions, and doctorate holders often report higher salaries across industries.
A Ph.D program is primarily concerned with research and education regarding social work. You may consider a career in academia if you earn a Ph.D. in social work.
A doctoral degree is not required for most social work jobs.
Additional Requirements to Become a Social Worker
Internships
Internships — referred to as field placements in social work — are required to graduate.
If you’re pursuing a BSW, you’ll need to complete at least 400 hours in an internship. The CSWE requires MSW students to complete at least 900 hours.
Field placements are rarely paid.
Licensing
You’ll need a license to practice in most positions in social work.
Licensing processes vary by state, but the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) offers an overview of each state’s requirements. Most states require at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), with some states requiring 4,000 hours.
Licensed master social workers (LMSW) don’t have supervised experience requirements.
Soft Skills
Social work involves helping people who are often at their most vulnerable state. With that in mind, these skills will be helpful in your career:
- Empathy
- Communication
- Organization
- Listening
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Patience
- Advocacy
Frequently Asked Questions About a Career in Social Work
Social workers earned a median salary of $58,280 in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Social work salaries vary depending on your specialty. For example, healthcare social workers reported the highest median salary at $62,940 in 2023. Child, family, and school social workers reported a $53,940 salary.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed May 30, 2024.
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