Social Work Degrees


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Salaries For Degrees in Social Work

Graduates in Social Work can work in a variety of jobs. While no one can say with certainty what you personally will do with a degree in Social Work, our survey panel picked the following jobs as likely options:

The median salary for people with a degree in Social Work is $36,271.64. The lifetime value of this degree is approximately $863,101.00.


Salaries are highly dependent on how skilled one is at negotiation, experience, policies at your employer, area, and a host of other factors. The estimates we show on these pages are just that: estimates. Your individual experience will likely vary.

Where does this come from?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, a unit of the US government, classifies all workers into some 800-odd occupational categories.  We paid a army of freelancers to solicit their view on what type of degree a holder of each type of job would likely have majored in. For pairs which had a high degree of consensus, we created a link between the degree and the job.

From this, we calculated the average salary for Social Work degrees and converted it into a lifetime value.  We then compared it against other degrees at the same level of schooling (such as associate's, bachelor's, or master's), so that you can make informed educational and employment decisions.

What Can a Social Work Student Expect to Learn?

The role of most social workers is to assist people in becoming self sufficient, and to help people cope with their problems. Social workers work toward social change, and they strive to empower communities and families. They may work in the areas of mental health, public assistance, youth services, and geriatric services, to name a few.

Some entry-level social work jobs do not require an education above the high school level, while other jobs may require at least a four-year social work degree. A master of social work (MSW) is required for higher-level positions as well as supervisory positions.

Associates Degree

The associate degree in social work is a two-year program. Students learn the necessary skills and knowledge to become social work assistants. Upon graduation, they may work in entry-level positions in human health agencies, mental health agencies, rehab clinics, or other social work environments.

The degree program also requires the student to volunteer in a human services agency. The volunteer experience is an opportunity to learn the job from the inside. It also allows the student to make professional contacts that may lead to employment upon graduation. In addition to the field work experience, most associate level programs require the following courses:

  • Intro to Social Services
  • Psychology or Sociology
  • Abnormal Behavior
  • Child Development
  • Social Policies and Programs for the Elderly
  • Human Development
  • Basic Math
  • Fundamentals of the English Language

Bachelor's Degree (BSW)

The BSW is offered at numerous colleges and universities. The degree program is a good choice for those who would like to gain entry-level employment or further their studies at the master of social work level. The BSW is a four-year social work degree, and it requires many of the same social work courses that the associate degree requires. However, the BSW demands additional credit hours in the major. The student must also satisfy basic English, history, math and science courses that are required of all majors.

BSW graduates gain extensive knowledge of social problems and issues. They learn about the effects of poverty and mental illness on society.

They gain an understanding of social plagues, such as homelessness, drug abuse, and oppression. Some students may choose to become advocates for social change. These advocates go on to pursue law degrees or to work in non-profit agencies that lobby for legislation to support those in need, such as domestic violence victims, abused children, and the elderly.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

The MSW is the degree required for independent clinical practice. MSW degree holders often work as marriage and family counselors, drug and alcohol abuse therapists, and mental health care workers. They deal with issues such as teen pregnancy, mental illness, child abuse, and the dynamics of dysfunctional families. MSW candidates learn to work with families and individuals in a clinical setting.

Students assess clients’ needs; learn to administer therapy, offer resourceful suggestions to clients, and advocate for the individual. They may also conduct group therapy or family intervention therapy. The program length varies depending upon the school, but most programs can be completed in 2-3 years.

Social Work Ph.D.

The Ph.D. is the highest social work degree available. It is offered at a limited number of colleges and universities as well as some online schools. Students who pursue the degree should have a strong interest in academic research.

Ph.D. graduates work in supervisory positions in human services agencies as well as policy-making positions. Some graduates may choose to teach at the collegiate level or dedicate their lives to social research.

Online Schools Offering Accredited Social Work Degree Programs

All of the above social work degrees are offered online. Online courses are practical because they allow the student to earn a degree from home. This is convenient for working adults who may not find the free time to attend school in a classroom. Some online schools allow students to study at their own pace. However, many schools require students to complete assignments under time constraints and deadlines. It is important that degree candidates receive more information on the type of school they are attending. A few schools that offer online social work degrees are:

Top Colleges & Universities Offering Campus-based Social Work Degrees

There are many popular social work schools. The University of Kansas, Boston University, and Washington University are just a few schools that house some of America's most well-known social work programs. These schools offer a variety of social work courses taught by distinguished faculty.

Other popular schools include:

  • Troy University
  • George Washington University
  • University of Richmond
  • Villanova University
  • Springfield College
  • Seton Hall University

Famous Social Workers Dr Phil Social Work

A celebrity social worker of sorts is Dr. Phil McGraw (pictured right, photo credit DrPhil.Com), or simply Dr. Phil. Dr. Phil studied psychology in college but has positioned himself as a virtual social worker given the reach his show has across the nation.

Two of history's most famous social workers were Jeannette Rankin and Jane Addams. They both worked toward social change before social work programs were even established at the university level.

Rankin became the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives after working as a suffragist. Addams co-founded the Hull-House in 1889. The house was, in essence, a community center dedicated to educating Chicago's working class.

Addams is often called the mother of social work, and the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois in Chicago is named for her. Today, the college is one of the top twenty-five social work schools in the United States.

Popular Social Work Careers Social works work in a variety of different settings. Most of them work for government agencies or non-profit agencies. 

 

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