Social work education at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels shapes the profession’s future through the instruction of competent professionals.
Types of Social Work Degrees
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW)
A BSW is the minimum requirement for most social work positions. The BSW degree prepares individuals for generalist practice positions (such as casework), where you engage with clients (e.g., individuals, families, communities), assess their needs, link them to services, and monitor their progress. Accredited BSW programs require a minimum of 400 hours of supervised field experience.
Learn more about the value of the BSW at our BSW spotlight page.
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)
MSW programs prepare graduates for work in their chosen field of concentration or specialization and include developing skills required to perform clinical assessments, manage large caseloads, take on supervisory roles, engage in policy-level advocacy, and explore new ways of drawing on social services to meet the needs of clients and communities. MSW programs last 2 years and include a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field instruction. If you have a BSW, you may be eligible for an advanced standing program that allows you to complete your MSW in just 1 year.
Doctorate Degree in Social Work (DSW/PhD)
There are two types of social work doctorate degrees: the practice doctorate, typically referred to as doctor of social work (DSW) and the doctor of philosophy (PhD). The practice doctorate curriculum varies from program to program, but it generally emphasizes advanced training beyond the BSW and MSW degrees. The PhD largely prepares individuals for research and academic careers. For more information, visit the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE) website.
Licensure
In most states you can be licensed with a BSW, which prepares you for practice at the generalist level. Individuals with an MSW can also pursue a license. Clinical work typically requires an MSW, completion of a license exam, and supervised hours (post-MSW).
All states and the District of Columbia have licensing, certification, or registration requirements for social work practice. Each jurisdiction requires an individual to have a social work degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program to sit for a licensing exam. Licensing exists to provide state and provincial governments with a way to verify that a social worker has the skills and knowledge necessary to provide a safe level of practice. Licensing also establishes social work practice as a separate and distinct branch of mental health services and gives governments a way to monitor the professional conduct of social workers. For more information, visit the Association of Social Work Boards website.
Information for High School Students
Social work as a career field is growing rapidly. That means there will be a lot of opportunities for you to enter this field after graduating from high school. It’s never too early to start planning for your social work career. In fact, you can get started as early as your freshman year of high school. Here are three tips for high school students interested in social work.
To be successful, social workers need a variety of skills, ranging from communication to foreign languages. Get a head start by studying hard in these classes:
- Public speaking or debate: If you become a social worker, you’ll need to communicate with people from a variety of backgrounds. By becoming a confident public speaker, you’ll gain the skills needed to communicate effectively with any community member who needs your help.
- Government: Taking this course will provide a foundation for understanding the history, structure, and functions of government. You can apply your understanding when voting, advocating for others, and speaking publicly.
- Foreign languages (especially Spanish): There are an estimated 41 million native Spanish speakers living in the United States, and another 11.6 million people are bilingual Spanish speakers. Work on your Spanish skills so you're prepared to ensure that all community members get the support they need, whether they speak English or Spanish.
- Mathematics (especially statistics): Managing data is essential for social workers. A strong base in social sciences and statistics will help you gain the knowledge you’ll need to assess the efficacy of treatment plans, services, and programs.
- Psychology: Take an introductory psychology class to learn the basics and begin to understand what leads people to act the way they do. Then continue with advanced psychology courses when you’re in college.
The social work community is all about helping people, and volunteering is an excellent way to do just that. Your local community is bound to be full of volunteer opportunities. Consider contacting hospitals, schools, or other community organizations that may need help. Volunteering also gives you the opportunity to learn more about what social workers do, which will prepare you for the field education (or internship) component of a social work degree.
Additionally, some high schools offer peer counseling programs. Volunteering as a student peer counselor can introduce you to the skills and information needed to build effective mentoring relationships and provide a foundation for a career in social work. Speak to your high school guidance counselor to see what options are available in your school.
When creating your list of colleges of interest, make sure each university/college has an accredited social work program. Browse CSWE's Directory of Accredited Programs to see which schools and programs are accredited. Then, you can start researching programs and build a plan to knock the applications and requirements out of the park by the time you are applying for college.
As you can see, there’s no reason to wait until college or graduate school to get started on your social work path. Start today, and you’ll be well on the way to a great career of helping others!
Information for College Students
Did you know that almost a third of first-time college students change their majors at least once within 3 years of starting school? If you’re on another path and have just discovered the rewarding field of social work, it’s not too late to dedicate your life to this career.
Even if you have already graduated, you can still make a seamless transition. Select the scenario below that best fits your situation to learn more about your options.
If you need to change your major…
If you've already started a degree program but would like to switch to studying social work instead, talk to your advisors as soon as possible. Core requirements for each degree program vary, but there are several ways your previous classes could count toward a degree in social work. Also keep in mind that a variety of backgrounds makes the social work field stronger.
Although you may feel as though those 2 years of business classes you just completed were a waste of time, they’re actually quite valuable in your new social work career.
If you graduated with a different degree...
For those of you who have already graduated with a bachelor's degree, it's not too late to become a social worker. You can apply to a master’s program even if your undergraduate degree is in another discipline. For MSW applicants from other fields, it will be helpful to have taken courses in psychology, biology, sociology, economics, and political science.
Many social work programs offer a variety of learning options from part- to full-time on-campus to fully online, or somewhere in between.
Volunteering is another great way to add social work experience to your résumé. In fact, volunteering before you commit to a program can help you make sure you’re making the right career choice
If you’re interested in a master’s program...
Once you decided to pursue a master’s in social work degree, give yourself ample time to choose the school that's right for you. First, browse CSWE's Directory of Accredited Programs. By starting here, you’ll avoid nonaccredited programs, which introduce a range of potential concerns.
If you already have a BSW from an accredited program, most schools offer an advanced standing option, which will save you time. To help you narrow down your choices, answer these questions:
» Is there a specific geographic location where you’d like to study?
» What would you like your primary concentration (e.g., community or direct practice) or practice area/specialization (e.g., aging, children and families, mental health, health) to be? Thinking about these options can help you make your résumé more competitive when you apply for your dream job.
» Do you want to study part-time or full-time? If you’re working while you study, a part-time program may be the best choice for you.
» Would you like an online program or a traditional, campus-based program? Your best choice here depends on your learning style and the responsibilities that compete with your schoolwork.
Social work is a diverse field encompassing a wide range of jobs, and the factors that draw each person to social work are unique. Throughout your social work studies you’ll meet many people who all arrived at the same point by different paths. Take advantage of the opportunities to learn about these different paths, and be sure to share your unique path with others as well.
Thinking about changing careers?
Would you like to switch from your current field and pursue a career in social work? Most people are attracted to the social work profession because of their desire to help others, pursue justice, and change society, but there is also much more to the field. There is room in social work for all kinds of skill sets, experiences, and passions, including careers that incorporate leadership and management, advocacy, counseling, and direct service work.
Here are some questions to ponder:
“What should I consider first?” When you’ve made the decision to move from your current field to social work, you'll need some additional training and education. Think about your career goals: If your dream job is more generalist in nature, a bachelor of social work (BSW) may be a great fit. If you want to specialize in a particular area or provide therapy, you may want to consider a master’s of social work (MSW) degree. Some career changers pursue a social work degree while continuing in their current field via distance education or online classes, whereas others take a break from work and go to school full-time. Check out program options via CSWE's Directory of Accredited Programs.
“I want an MSW degree, but I don't have a BSW degree. Do I need to start over?” No, you do not need a BSW to get an MSW degree. Any bachelor’s degree will allow you to continue your education and work toward an MSW. In fact, coming from another field will allow you to share your diverse experiences with colleagues and clients.
“What should I study based on the social work practice I want to pursue?” Your educational plan should complement the social work practice area that appeals to you most. In each area, students will gain relevant knowledge, values, and skills:
» Micro-level practice: Work directly with individuals and help them cope with their situations
» Mezzo-level practice: Work with groups instead of individual clients
» Macro-level practice: Lead and establish social change on a large scale through organizing, policy change, and administration
Even if you are mainly interested in one area, the three social work practice areas are closely linked. You’ll gain an understanding of how these areas intersect and affect individuals, families, and communities.
When considering a new career in social work, think about using some of the same techniques that helped you find success in your current career path. Set up informational interviews or shadow another professional to get a feel for the job. The field/practicum experience you’ll get while earning your degree will also help you decide what kind of social work career you want to pursue. It’s never too late to put your passion for helping people to work. The social work community welcomes you!
Get Volunteer Experience
Sometimes a degree is enough to secure a job, but sometimes you need education and experience. For those who are thinking about a career in social work, volunteering is a great way to learn more about the field. Volunteer work can help secure scholarships and work-study programs because it demonstrates your dedication to the field. Volunteering also prepares you for the field practicum (or internship) component of a social work degree. As you continue in your career, you may find yourself searching for additional ways to give back to your community and to those who are studying social work.
Volunteerism FAQs
Several social work programs provide scholarships, tuition assistance, or fellowship opportunities to students who have participated in national service-based programs. If you are an alum of one of these programs, be sure to contact schools of interest to see what support they offer.
Volunteer hours and responsibilities should be included on your résumé when applying for jobs and pursuing additional education. You can list volunteer experience in a separate section or mix it in with your paid work experience chronologically.
If you are working in a different profession and considering a new career path in social work, be sure to highlight how your skills and tasks have affected individuals, groups, or organizations with whom you’ve partnered. Volunteer experiences add to résumés in several ways:
» Fill in gaps of unemployment
» Bring relevant experience to a résumé when switching career fields
» Show the passion and initiative that employers are seeking
Just like when listing your previous paid experience, remember to include specific data about the outcomes you’ve driven. Instead of simply listing your job requirements, go into detail about how you did your job and specifically how you made an impact.