What Can You Do With a Social Work Degree?
Are you ready to discover your college program?
A versatile social work degree can lead to many rewarding career paths that allow you to make a difference in people’s lives. Social workers can serve their communities in areas like counseling, case management, nonprofit leadership, and clinical research.
A social work education also equips you with interpersonal skills, leadership abilities, and cultural competence, all of which are widely applicable across industries and professional roles.
Looking to learn more about online social work degrees? Below, you can find information about degree options, accreditation, certifications, job options, salaries, associations, and more.
Popular Online Social Work Degrees
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Types of Social Work Degrees and Career Paths
An associate degree can prepare you for entry-level positions in social work, but for the most common career paths, such as becoming a social worker or counselor, you’ll need a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Keep reading to learn about the different types of social work degrees and the various careers you can pursue at each degree level.
- Associate of social work (AS or AA in social work)
- Bachelor of social work (BSW BASW, or BSSW)
- Master of social work (MSW)
- Doctor of social work (DSW or Ph.D. in social work)
Associate Degree in Social Work
An associate degree in social work typically takes two years to complete and covers introductory coursework in psychology, sociology, and social work practice. It prepares you for entry-level social work positions or to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
You can earn either an associate of arts (AA) in social work or an associate of science (AS) in social work as preparation for a bachelor’s degree program. An AA focuses more on the humanities, while an AS covers technical skills, with a greater emphasis on hard sciences and math.
Career Paths: With an associate degree in social work, you could become a home health aide, community outreach worker, patient advocate, rehabilitation aide, counselor assistant, or social services assistant.
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work
A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) usually takes four years of full-time study to earn and incorporates a practicum. Typical course topics include social work practice, intercultural social welfare issues, and psychology.
You could also choose to pursue a bachelor of arts in social work (BASW) or a bachelor of science in social work (BSSW). The BSSW emphasizes research methods and scientific analysis in social work and may include more intensive practicums or internships.
A bachelor of social work is usually the minimum degree needed to start a career as a social worker. It can also serve as the foundation for a master’s degree path if you’re more interested in clinical work.
Career Paths: With a bachelor’s in social work, you can start working in nonclinical social work careers. Common roles include case manager, habitation specialist, probation officer, care coordinator, eligibility worker, and patient advocate.
Master’s Degree in Social Work
A master’s in social work usually takes two years of full-time study to complete and requires extensive field experience to meet state requirements for clinical licensure. A master’s degree is a minimum requirement for many clinical social work positions, especially for careers in private practice.
An MSW typically requires in-depth coursework on topics like family counseling, human development, and clinical social work theory and practice.
You can choose from various concentrations, including clinical social work, leadership and social change, organization and community leadership, substance use counseling, school social work, and medical social work.
Career Paths: With an MSW, you could work as a clinical therapist, medical social worker, policy analyst, school social worker, nonprofit leader, or community organizer.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
To become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), you will need to complete additional postgraduate supervised experience and pass the licensing exam after completing your MSW. As an LCSW, you can provide individual clinical services without supervision.
Doctoral Degree in Social Work
A doctoral degree in social work prepares you to work in research, education, or senior administrative roles. A doctoral degree typically takes three years to complete and covers topics like advanced social work theory and quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Career Paths: With a doctorate in social work, you can pursue a career in academia or become a director of social service programs or community organizations.
Social Worker Salary by Degree Level
Earning an advanced degree in social work can both increase your earning potential and open new career paths. For example, if you want to work as a school counselor or psychiatric social worker, you’ll need to earn a minimum of an LCSW.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social workers earned a median annual salary of $58,380 as of May 2023. The top 10% of social workers earned more than $94,910. The highest-paid social workers likely have more years of experience and more advanced credentials than those who earn lower salaries.
| Degree Level | Salary (2022) |
|---|---|
| BSW | $39,200 |
| MSW | $54,930 |
| DSW | $73,930 |
Popular Social Work Jobs and Career Paths
A social work degree provides plenty of transferable skills, preparing you to choose a career path that fits your strengths and interests. You can use a social work degree to pursue careers in industries including medicine, education, business, or nonprofits. According to the BLS, as of May 2023, social work jobs are projected to grow 7% between 2023-2033.
Depending on your social work degree and credentials, you could work as a medical social worker, school social worker, child and family therapist, or mental health counselor. You can also explore roles in nonprofit leadership, healthcare administration, research, and human resources.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Social worker | $58,380 |
| Healthcare social worker | $62,940 |
| School, child, or family social worker | $53,940 |
| Mental health and substance abuse social worker | $51,240 |
| Postsecondary social work teacher | $75,020 |
| Social and community service manager | $77,030 |
Medical Social Worker
You could find employment as a social worker in the medical industry if you’re interested in clinical work or helping people struggling with medical issues. Most medical social workers work at a clinical level, which means you’ll need an MSW and an additional license.
You could also become a healthcare social worker to interview, assess, and counsel people in hospitals, residential care facilities, or private practices. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for healthcare social workers was $62,940 as of May 2023, and Payscale reports an average salary of $67,219 for LCSWs as of October 2024.
School or Family Social Worker
To work in most states as a school social worker and counselor, you’ll need to hold an MSW and clinical licensure. In this role, you may guide students on issues affecting their conduct and grades and help them build post-graduation plans. According to the BLS, in May 2023, the median annual salary for child, family, and school social workers was $53,940.
Community Social Worker
Careers in this field only require a bachelor’s degree in most states. Nonprofit mental health organizations or state and county health service centers employ social work graduates to work in case management, health outcome assessment, and public advocacy for community health issues.
In May 2023, the median annual salary for social workers was $58,380, according to the BLS.
Psychiatric Social Worker
As a psychiatric social worker, you’ll conduct psychiatric and mental health assessments in individual or group settings. As a therapist, you’ll have the chance to assist individuals, couples, and families in addressing mental health and relationship concerns, helping them achieve their personal goals.
According to Payscale, the average annual salary for psychiatric social workers was $54,632 as of September 2024.
Forensic Social Worker
You could also choose to work as a forensic social worker within the criminal justice system. You may be called on to assess and treat incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals, including juveniles, and facilitate issues involving child custody. You may also work in correctional facilities or jails and could be called to testify in court.
According to BLS data from May 2023, the average annual salary for forensic social workers was $68,800.
Popular Online Social Work Degrees
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Advice From a Social Work Graduate
How can you thrive in a social work program? Social work graduate Wendy Pitts shares expert advice on how to make the most of your time in school and put your degree to work.
Wendy Pitts, LCSW-C, has worked as a licensed social worker for 21 years in a hospital outpatient clinic, a treatment foster care agency, and a group home. She is currently employed as a school social worker in a public school district and owns a private practice called Guiding Insight, LLC, where she sees adults for individual therapy and provides clinical supervision to new social workers who are working towards licensure. Pitts’s book “Knowing Your Worth” helps readers recognize their value to themselves and the world.
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
I initially planned to get my degree based on location. My brother encouraged me to research the top social work schools in the country and their offerings.
Through my research, I learned a lot about U.S. schools and how they differ from each other. Each [program] has a niche, and knowing what you want to do with your degree should be the determining factor in which schools you apply to.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work Degrees
What does a social worker do?
Social workers help individuals, families, and communities solve problems or cope with issues that impede social functioning. Depending on your employer and work environment, your responsibilities can vary widely.
For example, you may identify people and communities in need of help, assess clients’ needs and goals, or help clients through life changes. You could also research, refer, and advocate for community resources, monitor ongoing cases and update case files, and provide psychotherapy services.
Is social work a good career?
While working as a social worker can be stressful, it can also be personally fulfilling. You’ll have a chance to help others improve the quality of their lives, which is priceless. According to the BLS, as of May 2023, social workers’ median annual salaries ($58,380) are also higher than the national median annual salary ($48,060).
Social work is also an in-demand career, which offers you job stability. The BLS projects social worker employment to grow at a faster-than-average rate of 7% from 2023-2033.
How much do social workers get paid?
How much you can make as a social worker depends on your company, position, location, and years of experience. According to BLS data from May 2023, the median hourly wage for social workers of $28.07 is higher than the national median hourly wage for all professions ($23.11).
The top 10% of all social workers earned an average of $104,580, while the lowest-paid 10% earned $39,580. The states and territories with the highest average social worker salaries are New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Washington, and Washington, D.C.
Do you need a degree to be a social worker?
Yes, you typically need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program to become a social worker. To become an LCSW, you’ll need to earn a master’s degree as well as a license from the state in which you intend to work.
Do social work degrees transfer to Europe?
Most professional degrees are transferable to Europe, although you may need to get a new license. Whether your social work degree will be recognized or require additional education depends on the country. Each country has its own licensing requirements, and some countries don’t require a social work license.
You can search for country-specific information on social work or speak with potential employers to understand licensure and degree requirements for your situation.
