The complete guide to degrees and careers in social work

Social workers assist clients with meeting both basic and complex needs – from housing and employment to emotional wellbeing and social integration. With professional roots in historical poverty relief initiatives, social work continues to focus on serving vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, racial and ethnic minorities, and people living with addictions, mental health challenges, or chronic health conditions.

The typical education required for social work positions as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows a split between bachelor’s and master’s degrees. For example, 38.3% of child, family, and school social workers have a bachelor’s degree and 36.6% have a master’s degree. BSWs and MSWs have different levels of practice. All U.S. states and jurisdictions require a master’s degree and social work license for clinical social work, but there is considerable variation in the categories of practice they license.

In most states, becoming a social worker will require at least a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited school.

What you study

Social workers study human behavior, interdisciplinary theories, and policy analysis and learn how to work with the most vulnerable members of society. To understand the broader practice context, you will study topics like social service delivery systems, economic and social policy analysis, as well as cultural and human behavior theory. More practical classes cover topics like therapeutic and assessment skills, advocacy planning, and cultural competency.

Social work degrees also provide training in counseling and psychotherapy but with a focus on connecting individuals with practical resources and support services. Social work is unique among helping and mental health professions in this balanced emphasis on both the individual and their environment, an approach known as “person-in-environment”. Social work also stands out from other helping professions in its emphasis on social justice.

What you can do with it

The majority (65.4%) of social workers in 2018 and 2019 were employed by NGOs and charities, outpatient healthcare services, and government agencies. About 17% were employed in positions not defined as social work roles but nevertheless using their social work skills according to self-reports. Social workers are the largest providers of mental health services in the country and the largest single employer of social workers in the nation is the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Associate degree in social work (ASW)

ASW degrees are typically offered at community colleges and can be completed within 60 credit hours. Upon graduation, students can begin working in entry-level direct services jobs like case management assistant, community outreach worker, or gerontology aide, or transfer to a 4-year college and earn a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Although the qualifications to become a social work assistant are a high school diploma and on-the-job training, organizations like Child Protective Services (CPS) prefer candidates with experience in the field. An associate degree can substitute for professional experience, as students learn the basics of the field and how to conduct themselves professionally.

What can you do with an ASW?

Those with an associate degree in social work can find their way in the field without licenses or certificates. Though positions are limited, they remain vital to the community, often acting as an intermediary between a licensed social worker or healthcare worker and the clientele.

Depending on the organization, associate degree holders can work with various age groups in many ways, like outreach, program education, aid, and research. A bachelor’s degree will often be prioritized over an associate degree, but hard workers can still find a job in some of the popular fields below.

Bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW)

The entry-level social work degree in many states is the bachelor’s in social work. A BSW also affords students advanced standing eligibility towards an MSW program, allowing students who meet certain criteria to earn an MSW in 1 year instead of 2. With a BSW, you can also pursue credentials such as the licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW) designation, currently available in 16 states.

» Read: The best BSW programs according to economic performance

All CSWE-accredited BSW programs include a minimum of 400 hours supervised field experience, usually in junior and senior year. Your college will likely match you with a practicum or internship in a setting that aligns with your career goals – for example, a hospital, school, correctional facility, or commuity service agency.

The BLS classifies the following as social work occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree for entry:

Social work licensing with a BSW

Earning a BSW makes you eligible to take the bachelor-level ASWB licensing examination. Social work practice at this level of licensure is referred to as “generalist”. The focus is on prevention and intervention methods for addressing social problems at the micro (individual), mezzo (community), and macro (whole system) levels.

BSW-level social workers are not licensed to provide psychotherapy, a key reason why a social worker may choose to pursue a master’s degree.

Master’s degree in social work (MSW)

An MSW opens doors to most professional opportunities in social work, including clinical, staff training, supervisory, and administrative positions. Earning an MSW is also the key prerequisite for taking master’s-level ASWB licensing exams and earning LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker), or CSW (Certified Social Worker) qualifications.

An MSW program will take about 2 years to complete unless you qualify for advanced standing, which allows you to transfer credits from your BSW and waive all or most of the first year of grad school. All CSWE-accredited MSW programs include at least 900 hours of supervised field experience.

» Read: The best MSW programs according to economic performance

The main distinction between bachelor’s and master’s-level social work is a broader scope and a movement towards specialist or clinical practice. In the context of social work, “clinical” means providing psychotherapy, including assessment, diagnosis, and (non-medical) treatment.

In 2018-2019 survey, 79.8% of social workers reported that their MSW education had focused on direct or clinical work with individuals, families, or groups, covering case management, child welfare, therapy and counseling, healthcare support, and school social work. Programs that concentrate on community or indirect (macro) social work appear to be far less common (9.2% and 7.7%, respectively).

Deciding if a master’s in social work makes sense for you will depend largely on your career goals. If you want to become a therapist or work in healthcare, administration, or clinical social work, you will need an MSW. When not strictly required, social workers may nevertheless pursue an MSW for the added skills and training or the earnings boost that comes with most graduate degrees.

The BLS classifies the following occupations as social work careers requiring a master’s degree for entry:

Final thoughts

Social workers are the cornerstone of social welfare systems, bridging the service gaps left by other helping professions and assisting those who fall through society’s cracks.

Choosing a social work career will entail weighing earnings and demand data against personal factors like values and interests. Substance abuse counselors, for instance, are likely motivated by how meaningful their work is – the demand data alone shows how needed they are and will continue to be. Unfortunately, wages often don’t match demand. The National Association of Social Workers continues to advocate for student loan debt relief and cancellation to improve the economic conditions of social workers across the nation.

Considering the economic outcomes of social work degrees and choosing specific programs based on this metric can help ensure you make a living while making a difference.