Start a Fullfilling Career in Social Work

Change a Life - Become a Social Worker

The Ins and Outs of Becoming a Social Worker

People in our society face a range of personal problems and dilemmas, but fortunately, social workers exist for the sole purpose of aiding these individuals and attempting to improve their lives. Social workers help people either through direct counseling or referrals to other sources of assistance. Clients’ issues range from domestic conflicts to substance abuse problems. The three main fields of social work are child, family, and school; medical and public health; and mental health and substance abuse. In addition to providing help for their clients, some social workers perform research or serve as policymakers and planners.

This is a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in pursuing a career in social work. In addition to information on different types of social work careers and sources for jobseekers, you will find details on social work programs and educational requirements. As a result, this guide contains all pertinent information for any individual who wishes to become a social worker, whether or not this person has already received a degree in social work. And one final note: the job outlook, luckily, appears favorable in the field of social work during the coming decade.

Quick Facts on Becoming a Social Worker

Social workers can specialize in a variety of areas, the most popular of which is children, families, and school social work. Other common fields are medical and public health and mental health and substance abuse social work. (Mayo Clinic)
Counseling is a major portion of social work, whether clients need this guidance as a result of a medical illness, substance abuse, depression, or domestic issues. This counseling occurs in various settings, including private practices and schools. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
In addition to working directly with individuals, part of a social workers' job often involves referring people to other services, such as counselors, psychologists, health educators, and correctional treatment specialists. However, at the same time, professionals like counselors and psychologists are considered social workers. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
A bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) is the most common minimum requirement for an entry-level job in social work. However, it is often preferred or required that an individual has pursued social work at a more advanced level, through either a Masters or PhD program. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Most social work graduate school programs require at least a bachelor's degree. Recommended majors include social work, psychology, and sociology. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Employment for social workers is estimated to increase at a faster rate than other occupations. There is an especially great need for social workers in rural areas of the U.S. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
There is more potential for growth in the field of social work than in the narrower field of counseling. Social workers can pursue a broader range of specialties than counselors can, such as government, non-profit, educational, or welfare social work. Indeed, social workers can conduct counseling themselves. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
In 2008, social workers earned a median annual salary of $39,530. These social workers, comprising 642,000 of the jobs in the U.S., mainly pursued careers in cities and suburbs. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Partly due to the fact that the number of elderly people in need of social services is increasing quickly, medical social workers currently face expanding employment opportunities. (Mayo Clinic)
Social workers in the field of medical and public health currently have the highest median annual wage in comparison with other social workers. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Types of Social Work Careers

A career in children and school social work deals with children's safety, health, or academic success. Social workers of this kind usually work in schools, often bridging the gap between students and their parents, and assisting students with emotional, behavioral, or academic problems.
In addition to work in schools, child and family social workers are often employed by state or local governments, or by individual and family services agencies. These social workers deal with issues surrounding child welfare, family services, or child protective services.
Careers in mental health social work focus on psychological issues, and often social workers assist people in finding programs for problems like depression or substance abuse. In addition, social workers can serve as counselors, meaning that they directly help their patients.
Substance abuse social workers' responsibilities encompass everything from developing patient detoxification programs to conducting research. Recent research in this field has focused on the interconnectedness of substance abuse and mental or physical illness.
Medical social workers respond to the psychological side effects of medical conditions. They collaborate with individuals and families during times of illness, helping them manage the psychological, social, cultural, and medical issues that result from the illness. Medical social work also consists of helping patients gain complete access to medical care and services, including hospitalization, post-hospital care, in-home medical treatment, and hospice.
A career in public health social work entails a variety of activities, primarily conducting studies on policies and personnel with the intent to reach disease prevention and promote better health care. Areas of study include HIV/AIDS prevention, child and elder maltreatment prevention, disabilities, and substance abuse prevention.

Educational Requirements and Average Salary

For most entry-level social work occupations, a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) is required. In some cases, a bachelor's degree in a related major like psychology or sociology suffices for entry-level jobs. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
For those interested in pursuing a career in social work policy-making or planning, sometimes a degree in policy-making or law is acceptable. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
In most cases, in order to work in health and school settings, or to conduct clinical work, a master's degree in social work (MSW) is required. In general, obtaining a MSW will expand one's career possibilities. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Concerning admission to a MSW program, most institutions prefer that you have a well-rounded academic background, in addition to experience in human service settings. This includes paid or volunteer work in places like schools, medical facilities, or homeless shelters. (Portland State)
For those individuals who want to teach at a university or conduct research, a doctorate degree in social work (DSW) is required. These degrees can take up to eight years to obtain. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Social workers with a bachelor's degree, on average, earn a yearly salary of $39,400. For those with a master's degree in social work, this average annual wage increases to $45,100. By comparison, an administrator or associate college professor of social work earns $66,159 on average. (Salary.com)
Average annual salaries in the three main fields of social work are as follows: child, family, or school social workers earn $29,224 - $45,399; medical and public health earn $36,300 - $51,987; mental health and substance abuse earn $27,497 - $38,967. For those people in any of the three fields with a master's degree in social work, the average salary is $35,220-$49,933. (PayScale)
A licensed clinical social worker earns more on average than other social workers. Their salary ranges from $41,962-$61,975. (PayScale)

What to Look for in a Social Work Program

It is important to find an accredited social work program. However, with over 400 accredited bachelor's and over 200 accredited master's social work programs in the U.S., you are sure to find one that suits you. You can access a list of these accredited programs at the Council on Social Work Education .
When choosing a program, it is important to consider its duration, cost, the level of education you are receiving (a MSW, for instance), and the quality of the program. In order to learn more about the program's quality, it is wise to talk to current students and to find out if the school has close ties to government social service agencies. (University of Washington)
Research the criteria for gaining admission to a particular program, such as GPA requirements and test scores. Often, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) are required for MSW programs. (Social Work Graduate School)
Depending on the school and the program, the MSW will typically take two to three years to complete. However, some programs will last longer, and the duration also depends on whether a student is part- or full-time. A doctorate in social work can last up to eight years. (University of Washington)
Most MSW programs require students to take certain foundation courses regardless of a student's specialization. Common foundation courses focus on historical concepts, human behavior in the social environment, and research. (University of Washington)
MSW programs allow students to specialize in fields ranging from methodology to public policy. When choosing your specialization, consider your career goals; when you have decided, make sure to find a school that offers your desired specialization. (Social Work Graduate School)
A MSW program should, ideally, allow students to pick a concentration in both a practice “method” (such as Community Organization or Management of Human Services) and a practice “area” (such as Aging in Families and Society or Mental Health). In addition, classroom learning is supplemented by required field instruction and experience, which places students in agencies and other similar settings in order to allow them to apply their learning in a real-world setting. (University of Michigan)
According to the Princeton Review Graduate Program ranking system, you will find the top social work programs at the following five schools: University of Chicago, Columbia University, University of Michigan--Ann Arbor, University of Wisconsin--Madison, and University of Pennsylvania. These schools offer programs either in social work, social service administration, or social policy and practice. (Social Psychology Network)
Since most graduate programs are expensive, it is important to consider the cost of receiving this degree; do you need to apply for financial aid or try to obtain scholarships? Read the next section for information on finding scholarships. (University of Michigan)
And finally, is location a factor you want to take into consideration when choosing a social work program? If so, the last section of this resource lists the top ten cities for social workers to work in.

Find Scholarships

College Scholarships.org allows users to browse information on scholarships by subject, which includes social work. There is information on social work scholarship offerings from specific colleges as well as from social work associations.

Fastweb contains a personalized scholarship search engine. By allowing users to complete a profile, the search engine then matches awards based on the information provided by the individual.

Federal Student Aid , part of the U.S. Department of Education's website, provides information on federal student aid programs, including grants, campus-based aid, and loans for graduate and professional degree programs. This site also includes other tools and resources, such as information on applying to college and repaying loans.

International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) : The “Project Funding” portion of this site contains information on the IASSW grants for projects in social work. Grants are offered for up to $4,000.

National Association of Social Workers (NASW) : Each year, the NASW Foundation accepts applications for a variety of fellowships, scholarships, and research awards. These are prestigious awards for students of Masters and PhD programs in social work.

Next Student contains a scholarship search engine; users first complete a personal and academic profile which then allows the search engine to produce scholarships that match the individual. This site also includes information on private and federal student loans.

Scholarships and Grants contains information on different foundations, programs, associations of scholars, and awards in the field of social work. Some of the awards are quite specialized, such as those designed for students who are American Indians or for faculty scholars of geriatric social work.

Scholarships.com is a scholarship search and financial aid resource. It also provides information on current contests and sweepstakes.

School Scholarships allows users to search for scholarships by subject, which includes social work.

StudentScholarshipSearch.com includes a scholarship search engine, a section on “featured” scholarships, a list of scholarships by region, and information on student loans.

Job Boards for Social Work Careers

American's Career InfoNet contains an extensive listing for community and social services jobs, ranging from child, family, and school social workers, to mental health social workers, to health educators and counselors. The site allows you to search by state once you have chosen a category of work.

Human Services Career Network provides resources for human service, social service, social work, mental health, and non-profit job seekers. Search for jobs or post your resume.

National Association of Christian Social Workers (NACSW) JobNet Career Center: This site contains an advanced job search as well as a resume posting service. The jobs tend to be geared towards Christians in social work.

National Association of Social Workers (NASW) JobLink is a free job search service provided by the National Association of Social Workers. The advanced search engine allows jobseekers to pick between academic/research, executive, or mental health/social services jobs. In addition, you can choose your desired job level, type of job (full time, contract, etc.), and location, as well as identify any social work certifications you have.

SocialService.com: This job site boasts that it contains only “new, current” postings that are never over 45 days old. In addition to its job search and resume posting service, this site offers a helpful (and free) “Job Agent,” which emails you job alerts that match your personalized criteria.

SocialServiceNetwork.com, a resource for social work job seekers, contains an extensive listing of jobs, internships, and volunteer positions. The site allows you to search by state, company, or type of job or opportunity.

Social Work Job Bank is an online job board and career center designed for professional social workers. Jobs featured include social work jobs at all different levels, in a variety of settings, in locations across the globe. Also included are articles and other resources for job-hunting social workers.

University of Houston's social work job board contains job openings across the country in a range of social work disciplines. Each posting contains detailed information, including the necessary qualifications, salary, and all contact information for the employer.

The Voice of Clinical Social Work contains a job board for new employment opportunities in the field of clinical social work. Users can post an anonymous resume, view current jobs, and create a personal job alert.

Research Related Careers

Clergy will sometimes provide assistance to suffering individuals by offering spiritual and moral guidance. Responsibilities include conducting religious worship and performing other spiritual functions.

Clinical psychologists, who provide diagnostic tests to patients or create behavior modification programs, can specialize in areas like health psychology, neuropsychology, geropsychology, or child psychology. Their job often involves consultations with other medical personnel in order to formulate the best treatment plan for a patient.

Correctional treatment specialists: These social workers work with people who have been placed on probation. They counsel these offenders, establishing rehabilitation plans for them to follow after their release from prison or parole. This work is often conducted in jails, prisons, or parole or probation agencies.

Counseling psychologists, who work in settings like universities, hospitals, or rehabilitation centers, advise individuals on everyday problems. Issues that these psychologists handle include patients' situations at home, work, or in the community.

Counselors can work in an array of different settings, with either children, adolescents, adults, or families. Clients' problems range from mental health disorders and addiction, to disability and employment needs, to school problems.

The primary goal of health educators is to prevent illnesses by educating and informing people about healthy lifestyles. They educate both individuals and communities on topics such as nutrition, exercise, sexually transmitted diseases, and illnesses. Health educators can work in a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, universities, medical care facilities, and state and local departments of public health.

Probation officers' responsibilities revolve around supervising people who are on probation, as well as working for the courts. Often, these officers recommend community organizations, such as religious institutions, as sources of assistance for the offenders.

School psychologists attempt to improve teaching, learning, and socialization methods through their work with young students, teachers, parents, and school personnel. This work often involves assisting students with disabilities, or gifted and talented students.

Social and human service assistants: This is a generic title denoting an array of individuals in the social work field who usually work under the supervision of nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, or other social workers. Specific titles include “community support workers,” “mental health aides,” and “client advocates.” These assistants' responsibilities consist of providing clients with the appropriate services and benefits.

Top 10 Cities for Social Workers to Work In

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : This city, the sixth most populous in the U.S., boasts the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work. Due to its central location during the American colonial period, Philadelphia contains a plethora of national historical sites, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Chicago, Illinois , with its large number of social services to aid those in need and over thirty hospitals, is an ideal place for social workers to live. It is the largest city in the Midwest, located amidst the Mississippi River and Great Lakes.

Atlanta, Georgia , considered a transportation and business hub of the U.S., is the world headquarters of Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, and other large companies. Sports fans will appreciate Atlanta's many sports franchises.

Seattle, Washington boasts a variety of non-profits in the field of social services. This city, with both water and mountains, is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who also desire a thriving urban life.

Charlotte, North Carolina 's cost of living is below the national average, and its climate is sunny and pleasant with hot summers. This city's emergency medical service is a large operation; it no doubt has opportunities for social workers to provide support to patients.

Baltimore, Maryland : Job options abound in the field of crime-related social services, such as justice centers, detention centers, or juvenile facilities. The internationally-renowned Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is one of the city's highlights, as well as an array of noteworthy architecture.

New York, New York has an abundance of social and human services, making it an excellent place for social work jobseekers. The health care industry of this city is the largest employer, providing jobs for approximately 375,000 people. The most populous U.S. city, New York is also home to an array of attractions including the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the New York Stock Exchange.

Honolulu, Hawaii , with its extremely low unemployment rate and rapid job growth, is a prime location for social workers. The Department of Community Services provides social services to the island of O'ahu. Who would not want to live and work in Hawaii?!

Kansas City, Missouri : This city has one of the nation's largest city parks; Swope Park, with its 1,805 acres, is larger than New York's Central Park. One will also find many Christian denominations represented in Kansas City, resulting in religiously-affiliated social work opportunities.

Phoenix, Arizona : While this city lies right at the national average for cost of living, it possesses a thriving job market. Residents enjoy the desert landscape surrounding Phoenix, as well as the city's sunny climate with minimal rainfall.

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