For those who have a passion for helping others and empowering communities that are often underserved, the field of social work offers the chance to make a difference in various settings. From mental health to military transitions to economic insecurity, there are a wide range of issues that social workers are committed to addressing at the individual, community and societal levels. Those interested in pursuing a career in this fulfilling field have multiple pathways they can take to get started. Continue reading to learn more about how to land your dream job as a social worker.
Social work is both a demanding and rewarding career.
“If you come to social work, you’re committing to serve oppressed populations. You’re committing to be part of something that is systemic,” said Lisa Primm, a macro social worker who serves as executive director of Disability Rights Tennessee, a nonprofit focused on protecting the rights of Tennesseans with disabilities. “If you’re choosing social work, make sure you believe in the social work ethics of the profession and recognize that there is so much to be done in terms of systemic change.”
The United States needs more social workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of social workers is expected to grow 12% from 2020 to 2030. Employment is expected to grow for child and family social workers, health care social workers, and mental health and substance abuse social workers. Clinical social workers may also be particularly well-positioned based on their abilities to provide specific treatment services.
The social work field offers a wide range of career options and specializations:
There are multiple avenues aspiring social workers can pursue to begin their career in social work. Learn about the different educational and career outcomes associated with different degrees.
Associate in Social Work (ASW)
For students interested in pursuing a career in social work, one way to get a foot in the door is to apply to earn an Associate of Arts degree with a focus on social work. These degrees are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and either prepare students to transfer to a bachelor’s program or prepare students for paraprofessional positions in social services agencies.
Many associate degree programs are offered through community colleges, which may have open admissions policies. Still, students who would like to pursue an emphasis in social work are often encouraged to meet with an academic adviser to develop a course plan.
Coursework for an Associate of Arts with an emphasis on social work may vary. In addition to completing general coursework, students who pursue this specialty may be required to take specific courses or electives related to social work, such as:
The overall goals and expected outcomes of the associate degree curriculum can include developing an understanding of:
The curricula for many Associate of Arts programs are designed to prepare students to transfer to a college or university where they can pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Many careers in social work require a bachelor’s degree. But an associate degree can lay the foundation for entry-level jobs.
A second path aspiring social workers can take is to pursue a bachelor’s in social work from a program accredited by the CSWE. These programs typically take about four years and are designed to provide students with fundamental knowledge that will enable social workers to begin their careers as practitioners.
Admissions policies vary by school. Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work are typically required to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Admissions decisions for a BSW program may include evaluations of the following:
In addition to completing the general education requirements set by universities, students majoring in social work will have a specific curriculum related to their field. The course catalog for a bachelor’s degree in social work varies from school to school, but can include courses such as:
Fieldwork is also an important component of social work education and may be obtained through volunteering and internships.
Many Bachelor of Social Work programs focus on generalist social work practice to prepare students for entry-level positions in the field. The CSWE’s educational policy and accreditation standards for baccalaureate and master’s social work programs (PDF, 390 KB) notes that educational outcomes of a BSW include the ability to:
The CSWE’s comparison of social work degrees also notes that graduates of BSW programs may have the opportunity to apply to an advanced master’s in social work program, which may enable them to earn their master’s degree faster than other MSW candidates.
A Profile of the Social Work Workforce (PDF, 3.4 MB) published in 2017 identified the top employment settings for social workers with a bachelor’s degree in social work as individual and family services and administration of human services.
| Employment Setting | Percentage of Social Workers With a BSW Employed |
|---|---|
Individual and family services | 41.1% |
Administration of human resource programs | 14.4% |
Nursing care facilities | 8.4% |
Hospitals | 6% |
Outpatient care centers | 6% |
Residential care facilities | 3.2% |
Civic, social and advocacy organizations | 2.7% |
Source: CSWE’s Profile of the Social Work Workforce (PDF, 3.4 MB)
To practice social work, states require graduates of CSWE-accredited programs to pass an exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Licensing requirements vary by state, so it is important that graduates understand regulations regarding licensing in the locations where they plan to practice.
Many graduates of BSW programs, or of programs in related fields such as psychology and human services, may choose to continue their education by applying for a master’s in social work program. Earning a master’s degree may open up employment opportunities for graduates and enable them to focus their work on specific populations or a more generalist practice.
To apply for an MSW program, candidates should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. A BSW is not typically required unless a student is applying for advanced standing, but universities may desire candidates who have a demonstrated understanding of social work or a related field. Similar to a BSW program, applicants to an MSW program may be evaluated based on a number of criteria, including:
There is no set curriculum for MSW programs. However, a master’s in social work program is typically structured to include foundational generalist instruction and specialized instruction.
Examples of foundational social work courses may include:
Specialized courses can cover a wide range of topics including health, mental health, trauma, children, schools, policy, veterans, leadership in social services and clinical social work. Examples of specialized courses from the same curriculum include:
Many MSW programs also require students to complete a capstone component, which allows them to demonstrate the application of academic education through the implementation of a project, often completed through a field education agency.
The learning outcomes of an MSW program include many of the same outcomes of a BSW program. The CSWE’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards for Baccalaureate and Master’s Social Work Programs (PDF, 390 KB) notes that educational outcomes of an MSW include the ability to:
However, the CSWE also notes in its comparison of social work degrees that MSW programs have unique benefits in that they allow graduates to specialize in the field of social work where they will seek employment after obtaining a license to practice. MSW programs also enable social workers to seek out positions above entry level by providing them with the skills to:
The benefits that CSWE highlights also include substantial hands-on experience for graduates. The CSWE’s comparison of social work degrees notes that an MSW requires at least 900 hours of supervised field instruction.
Similar to MSW coursework, field instruction for social workers includes a foundational placement, where students will learn core skills for social work, and a concentration placement, which will enable them to practice advanced skills in a specialized area. Students typically have more influence on where they will go during a concentration placement.
A Profile of the Social Work Workforce (PDF, 3.4 MB) published in 2017 identified the top employment settings for social workers with an MSW. Similar to BSW graduates, most graduates with an MSW were employed in individual and family services. However, the second-most common employment setting was hospitals, with a more than 10-percentage point jump over graduates with a BSW.
| Employment Setting | Percentage of Social Workers with an MSW Employed |
|---|---|
Individual and family services | 30.9% |
Hospitals | 17.2% |
Outpatient care centers | 9.5% |
Elementary and secondary schools | 9.4% |
Administration of human resource programs | 8% |
Nursing care facilities | 3.4% |
Civic, social and advocacy organizations | 2.3% |
Source: CSWE’s Profile of the Social Work Workforce (PDF, 3.4 MB)
To practice social work, graduates of CSWE-accredited programs are required by states to pass an exam administered by the ASWB. Licensing requirements vary by state, so it is important that graduates understand regulations regarding licensing in the locations where they plan to practice. Students who intend to pursue a clinical path will need to meet additional licensing requirements. Learn more about the licensing requirements for licensed clinical social workers.
Social workers who are interested in pursuing high-level program management positions or would like to teach should consider applying for a doctorate in social work (DSW). According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), doctorate in social work programs focus on advanced training in research, supervision and policy analysis.
To apply for an on-campus or online DSW program, many candidates are required to have an MSW from an accredited social work degree program and a minimum of two years post-MSW experience, according to a presentation on the “Practice Doctorate” (PDF, 4.2 MB) by the CSWE. A license to practice and social work clinical licensure may be preferred depending on the school. Similar to an MSW program, applicants to a DSW program may be evaluated based on a number of criteria, including:
Coursework for a DSW program varies but can focus on areas such as ethical practice, knowledge dissemination, theory, research methods, teaching, and social justice and diversity. Sample classes for a DSW student may include:
Depending on the program, DSW students may also be required to submit a dissertation that contributes to clinical social work literature and knowledge. Dissertations can take a number of forms including historical dissertations, program evaluations, empirical dissertations and curriculum development.
According to a presentation on the “Practice Doctorate” (PDF, 4.2 MB) by the CSWE, a DSW program is designed to prepare social workers to assume advanced professional roles such as master practitioner, educator, administrator or policy practitioner. CSWE notes that DSW programs should prepare candidates to:
According to CSWE’s 2020 Statistics on Social Work Education in the United States (PDF, 1.4 MB), top areas of employment for practice doctorates included:
Yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights a number of occupations with similarities to social work that graduates with a degree may be able to look into for employment, depending on their own requirements for practice. Those occupations include:
• Health educators and community health workers
• Probation officers
• Social and community service managers
• Social and human service assistants
• Substance abuse and mental health counselors
Generally, no. Social work degrees open opportunities for advancement in the field. The CSWE’s profile of the social work workforce revealed that a significant number of people are working in the field with a non–social work degree. While entry-level employment opportunities may be available for those without degrees, most entry-level jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree. Licensing requirements also limit opportunities to those without degrees.
Last updated October 2021.
