Sociology vs. Social Work | Differences & Similarities

Sociology and social work are both social science fields, but they differ. Sociology studies society and behaviors within societies, while social work helps individuals by meeting their needs and assisting them as they navigate social systems.

Though sociology and social work are different fields, they share many similarities. Keep reading to learn more about these similarities and differences.

What Is Sociology?

Sociology is a field that examines how individuals shape society and how society impacts individuals. It studies both current-day societies and societies throughout history.

Sociologists spend a lot of time researching and analyzing data. Sociology programs often cover topics like:

• sociology theory
• social science research methods
• sociology of gender
• sociology of race and ethnicity

Some sociology degree programs offer specializations like community health, law, or social justice.

Sociology Careers

Sociology degrees help students develop strong research and communication skills while deepening their understanding of society and social behavior. As a result, social science majors can find careers in various fields, including business, criminal justice, human services, government agencies, and health services.

Some examples of careers for sociology majors include:

• human resources specialist
• parole or probation office
• community organizer
• human services worker
• youth counselor
• health educator
• journalist

Some sociology careers may require specific certification or completion of a graduate degree program in sociology.

What Is Social Work?

Social work is a field that focuses on connecting individuals with social services offered by government agencies and nonprofit organizations. There are many different facets within social work practice.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degrees usually cover foundational social work topics like:

• human behavior and the social environment
• social welfare history and policy
• social work research
• social work ethics

Master of Social Work (MSW) programs usually focus on clinical social work, with courses covering topics like social work program evaluation, research methods, policies and resources, and the assessment of mental health disorders.

Most social work degree programs offer practicums or internships that allow students to get hands-on experience in the social work field. You can find accredited social work programs through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Social Work Careers

Most social work students go on to become social workers. The different types of social workers include:

• child welfare social workers
• family social workers
• healthcare social workers
• mental health and substance abuse social workers
• school social workers

Social workers who work with clients in a clinical setting to treat mental health and substance abuse disorders are called clinical social workers. Licensure is required to work as a clinical social worker, and you need 150 credit hours as opposed to the 120 that a normal bachelor's degree requires. As a result, many social work students go on to complete an MSW program.

Other roles available for those with an undergraduate degree in social work include:

• case manager
• child advocate
• community support specialist
• probation or parole officer
• health educator
• job coach
• community outreach worker

Social work careers are available in many settings, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, schools, and hospitals.

Key Differences Between Sociology and Social Work

While sociology and social work overlap, there are also some key differences between social work and sociology. We've broken down some of the biggest differences below.

Career Focus

One of the biggest differences between earning a degree in sociology versus earning a degree in social work is the career focus; sociology is more generalized, while social work has a more specific career focus.

Students who earn degrees in social work typically are focused on becoming social workers and working for social services. Sociology majors have a much broader focus.

Additionally, more education is often required for social workers to achieve their career goals, especially if they want to become licensed clinical social workers. They are more likely to go on and earn a master's degree.

Methods and Approaches

Both sociology and social work examine human behavior, human society, and social problems, but their approaches often differ. Sociology is more about society, while social work is more about individuals.

Sociology focuses more on research and analysis, while social work is more hands-on, directly with clients. That doesn't mean that sociology doesn't interact with different groups of people, but it's not focusing on directly helping individuals.

Ethics and Values

While both sociology and social work students often value social justice, their overall ethics and values can differ, especially based on their career paths.

Social work professionals may adhere to a more rigorous ethical code when working with clients, while sociology students may have a more nuanced code of ethics as they examine ethics between societal groups.

Additionally, due to their careers, social workers may value helping individuals or pushing to make social change within social systems; sociologists may place more value on societal changes as a whole.

Similarities Between Sociology and Social Work

Despite their differences, there are many similarities between social work and sociology. We've addressed these down below.

Understanding of Social Issues

Both sociologists and social workers need to have a firm grasp of societal issues, even if they use that knowledge in different ways. Sociologists often use this knowledge more broadly, while social workers use it to help clients.

Sociologists use their understanding of social issues to examine the intersection of society and individuals. On the other hand, social workers use this knowledge to better understand client situations and to help them navigate the social system and social barriers.

Community Engagement

If you're interested in a career path focused on community engagement, like community health or community planning, both a degree in social work and a degree in sociology are good choices.

Community engagement careers require an understanding of society, which both fields of study provide. This allows community engagement professionals to understand the needs of their community so they can properly address them.

Social Policy Advocacy

One thing that sociology and social work have in common is a strong value for social advocacy and social justice. Most people study these fields because they want to try to fix social problems.

Sociology experts may advocate for social policies on a broader scale or focus on a specific area of social policy. Social work professionals, meanwhile, often focus on social policy as it relates to social systems and support.

Sociology vs. Social Work: Which Career Path Is Better?

There is no one answer to determining whether a career in sociology versus social work is better as this will depend on the individual. Your career goals and interests are the main factors to help you decide which field is better.

A social work career path may be better if you want to help individuals by working with them directly. To become a social worker, you'll need to hold a social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program; however, you can still earn a bachelor's degree in sociology and then a master's degree in social work.

Sociology may be a better option if you want to focus on a career path outside of being a social worker. It's also a better option if you haven't found where your passion lies and want to keep your career options open.