Is a Social Work Degree Right for Me?

Students who want to help others often consider a degree in social work. Social work degrees train students to help people in a variety of situations and settings. Social work can be a difficult field to work in, and it can be hard to decide if it's the right career path for you. Keep reading to learn more about how to determine if a social work degree is the right option for you.

What Is a Social Work Degree?

Social work degrees are usually offered at the bachelor's level as Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degrees and at the master's level as Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees. These degrees are for those who want to pursue careers in helping people.

Bachelor of Social Work degrees typically take about two years to earn, while MSW degrees average about two years. Online and on-campus social work degrees are available. You can find a list of accredited social work programs through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation is incredibly important if you are planning to pursue social work licensure.

What Does a Social Work Major Study?

Social work majors study the welfare system and how to help clients navigate this system. Common course topics in Bachelor of Social Work programs include:

• human behavior
• social welfare history
• social welfare policy
• social welfare research
• social work ethics
• social work practice

Many BSW programs require some amount of field experience or practicums. This gives students a first-hand look at what a career in social work requires. Master of Social Work programs focus more on developing clinical assessment and diagnostic skills. These programs always require supervised fieldwork or clinical experiences.

Why You Should Consider a Degree in Social Work

Choosing the right career path and degree can be tricky. Social work can be a rewarding field to enter. There are many wonderful things about a career in social work. Below, we've listed a few reasons you should consider a degree in social work.

You Get to Help People

One of the primary reasons people go into the field of social work is because they have a heart for helping others. By its very nature, social work is designed to work with and assist the people who need help the most. No matter what kind of social worker you become, you'll be making a difference in someone's life. You may help rescue a child from an abusive household or help someone with a substance abuse problem overcome their addiction.

That being said, you must know your limits so you don't burn out. But if you have a heart for helping others and don't burn out easily, a degree in social work can set you on the pathway to a rewarding career.

Social Workers are In Demand

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of social workers is projected to grow 7% by 2032. This is faster than average for all occupations. Some types of social workers are more in demand than others. Employment for mental health and substance abuse social workers, for example, is expected to grow by 11%, while child, family, and school social workers are expected to grow by 5%.

There Are Opportunities for Career Growth

Social workers with bachelor's degrees often start in entry-level roles such as:

• caseworker
• family social worker
• child welfare caseworker

However, with additional training, you can work your way up to management roles. Additionally, by earning an MSW degree and becoming a licensed social worker, you'll be able to work in a clinical setting. This means you'll be able to assess and diagnose patients as well as provide treatment and therapy.

Job Opportunities for Social Work Degree Majors

The primary job for social work majors is as a social worker. There are several different types of social workers, including:

• Child and family social workers: Child and family social workers specialize in working with families and children. They may help a family access social services or remove children from unsafe environments. They typically work for the government or for family services programs.
• Clinical social workers: Clinical social workers diagnose and treat mental and behavioral disorders in clinical settings. They provide therapy services, develop treatment plans, and connect clients to other resources. Clinical social workers may work in healthcare settings or for rehabilitation services.
• Healthcare social workers: Healthcare social workers help patients with medical needs. They may help patients find home healthcare, make changes to their home environment to accommodate their healthcare needs or find support groups. They typically work in healthcare settings and for the government.
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers: Mental health and substance abuse social workers help those with mental illnesses or addictions. They may help clients find support groups and connect them with social services. Mental health and substance abuse social workers most commonly work in healthcare and rehabilitation settings.
• School social workers: School social workers work within school settings. They may help children with learning disorders or help create individualized education plans. School social workers usually work in elementary, middle, and high school settings.

Clinical social workers must be licensed, which typically requires earning a Master of Social Work, completing supervised clinical experience, and passing a licensing exam. However, requirements vary between states.

Other career options for social work majors include:

• community health worker
• health educator
• parole or probation officer
• human services assistant
• social services administrator

Social Work Degree: Questions To Ask Yourself

If you're still on the fence about whether or not a social work degree is right for you, there are a few questions you can ask yourself. Consider:

• Do I enjoy working with people?
• Am I compassionate and empathetic?
• Am I comfortable working with people who may have mental health or substance abuse disorders?
• Do I burn out easily?
• Can I live on a typical social worker salary?
• Am I able to pursue an MSW if needed?