Social Worker Career and Programs
Getting Your Hands Dirty
This is not a counseling session in your neat and tidy office. It’s not helping a business owner make more money through psychological applications. It’s also not holding hands in a circle singing Kum ba yah. While some of these things may occur, social work is generally more involved in the mess, so to speak. It is a more hands-on field, where you will be assisting in very practical ways to get aid to those in need.
Coping with problems, finding solutions to life issues, and working to connect clients with services are the main duties. This can happen through direct services or by working to create programs and shape policies that will bring them to those in need.
Where Are The Social Workers?
Generally, social workers will choose one population or setting as their specialty. Most specialties fall under one of four categories:
- • Child, family, and school
- • Medical and public health
- • Mental health and substance abuse
- • Administration and policy
All of these areas present their own unique challenges. Each of them requires a similar set of traits to complete the job. Social workers must be sensitive to needs, have the ability to be objective, and be emotionally mature. Walking people through life’s difficult circumstances can be emotionally draining. The payoff is seeing clients overcome obstacles and receive the needed services you have advocated for them.
Is It Worth It?
True, the average salary is $40,000. True, the hours can involve evening and weekend meetings, traveling to clients’ homes, and encountering frustrating set-backs.
But…After an accident, Bill receives in-home physical therapy that he thought he would not be able to afford. Young Jessica is placed in a caring stable home. A new community center opens that offers child-care, food, and job training. Social workers make these kinds of things happen. So, you decide – is it worth it?
For those who say yes, the job outlook is good. Predicted job growth is 16% for 2008-2018. The highest demand will be seen in services for the elderly and substance abuse treatment.
Outlook for Social Worker Careers
A Population in Need
Substance abuse programs continue to grow. Treatment programs have become a common alternative to prison terms.
The senior population is growing. Medical services are in more and more demand.
Schools are becoming more involved in social services to their populations.
These facts lead to a healthy job outlook for social workers. The areas of assistance are growing. Unless our society’s population and habits change drastically in the near future, social workers will be in strong demand. Which areas will see the most increase? See the chart provided for a comparison.
Governed Growth
Job availability in these areas will be affected by their controlling budgets. Many social services are state or federally funded. As programs undergo budget cuts or increased funding, job numbers will fluctuate. An overall increase should be seen, though, as the demand for services is not predicted to diminish. There are simply too many people out there who need help. Even if one program shrinks, the social worker should be able to find opportunity elsewhere.
Salaries in Social Worker
Rich in Deeds, Not Dollars
Hopefully you enjoy a burger as much as filet mignon. On a social worker’s salary, you’ll most likely be eating more fast food than fine dining. But, this is a helping profession after all. You’re in it to assist people, not get rich off them.
This is not to say you can’t make a living. The overall average salary for social workers is currently $40,000. This number grows and shrinks depending on population and setting. Those employed by a hospital typically earn more than those in substance abuse facilities. An overview of salaries by specialty follows.
Paychecks per Policy
As many salaries are dependent on funding from state and federal governments, the size of the social worker’s bank account will also change as these funds fluctuate. If the powers at be decide to increase grants for certain areas, those social workers may benefit. If a policy change is made that slashes a program, or reduces support drastically, it may be mac and cheese dinners for a while.
Education Requirements for Social Worker Careers
Dr. Social Worker?
How far up the degree ladder does a social worker need to go? That depends on the type of social work you want to make your own. If you are interested in the Department of Children and Family services, you will need a bachelor’s degree. If medical social work is your desire, you will need a master’s. Some entry level positions in smaller agencies may not even require a BSW, but may accept a bachelor’s in a related study such as psychology or sociology.
As with most fields today, a master’s degree will open up more doors than a bachelor’s. Unlike some fields, however, a doctorate will usually not be necessary. In fact, for social work, a doctorate is mostly overkill. A master’s degree will qualify you for just about any specialty you encounter. No need to go further in debt than needed.
Just how many more opportunities will a master’s degree open up? Check out the chart below for an overview of qualifications in the world of social work.
Make It Official
Social workers are often required to be licensed for practice. Specifics will vary by state. Generally, supervised experience totaling two years or 3,000 hours is needed. The title becomes important to qualify for some positions or to aid in advancement. It is also common to require continuing training to remain licensed. Staying fresh on social service policies and community needs will be part of this process.
Accredited Colleges and Universities
Online Schools with Social Worker programs
Walden University
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Ph.D. in Human Services - Course-Based - Clinical Social Work
Human services professionals are on the front lines in serving and caring for those who are most vulnerable and in need. Walden's Ph.D. in Human Services degree program is designed to help professionals in a broad range of settings including social services agencies, healthcare agencies, treatment facilities, and more to develop their leadership and management skills so they can better support their communities.
Choose from two formats that best fit your learning style:
- A course-based program of study that may allow you to complete your degree in less than 3 years.*
- A self-directed option that allows you to conduct research independently while working closely with a faculty mentor on an area of interest about which you are passionate.
* Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred.Specializations- General
- Clinical Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- Counseling
- Disaster, Crisis, and Intervention
- Family Studies and Intervention Strategies
- Human Services Administration
- Public Health
- Social Policy Analysis and Planning
- Self-Designed
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Ph.D. in Human Services - Self-Directed - Clinical Social Work
Human services professionals are on the front lines in serving and caring for those who are most vulnerable and in need. Walden's Ph.D. in Human Services degree program is designed to help professionals in a broad range of settings including social services agencies, healthcare agencies, treatment facilities, and more to develop their leadership and management skills so they can better support their communities.
Choose from two formats that best fit your learning style:
- A course-based program of study that may allow you to complete your degree in less than 3 years.*
- A self-directed option that allows you to conduct research independently while working closely with a faculty mentor on an area of interest about which you are passionate.
* Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred.Specializations- General
- Clinical Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- Counseling
- Disaster, Crisis, and Intervention
- Family Studies and Intervention Strategies
- Human Services Administration
- Public Health
- Social Policy Analysis and Planning
- Self-Designed
Grand Canyon University
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B.S. in Sociology
The Bachelor of Science in Sociology degree seeks to encourage students to think deeply and seriously, using both the Christian and scientific perspectives, about the consequences of social structures upon human social behavior in its many diverse contexts. Students learn about the norms of social behavior, the varieties of human groups, the extent of societal influence on individuals, and the reasons that efforts to control human behavior are not always successful. Importantly, students learn how to discover facts about human social behavior using the scientific method and how to interpret facts and information using theories about social behavior. Graduates can go on to careers in the fields of human services, politics, research and government service.
Prospective students should currently have some college credits prior to enrollment.
* Area of Study
