Social Work Degree Guide

A social work degree can lead to many rewarding career paths that help you 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, skills that 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.

To be a social worker, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree at minimum, especially if you’re interested in mental health, aging services, or residential care casework. A bachelor’s in social work teaches you core skills, such as human behavior, social policy, and research.

A master’s degree in social work is often required for advanced roles in clinical practice, therapy, or policy work. These are often the types of jobs people think of when they envision a social worker. An MSW is a prerequisite to becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and prepares you to handle complex client needs in various settings.

Social work programs often let you choose a concentration to help focus your studies and career. These usually fall into two main categories: macro and clinical.

Macro concentrations cover areas like leadership, policy, and administration. Clinical concentrations focus on direct services, such as mental health and school social work. Common macro and clinical concentrations include:

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.

Before applying to a social work program, it’s important to consider key factors like accreditation, available specializations, and admission requirements.

Accreditation ensures your social work degree meets established quality standards. Many employers prefer candidates who graduate from accredited programs. For any social work degree, be sure the school is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national organization that sets educational standards for the field.

If you plan to become a licensed social worker, you’ll typically need a master’s degree from a CSWE-accredited program.

Social work offers many career paths, from clinical practice and advocacy to policy and legislation. Knowing your area of interest can help you choose the right degree program. Once you have a social work focus in mind, check that the program you’re considering offers a concentration that matches your goals.

Admission to social work programs usually involves meeting academic, personal, and professional requirements. This often includes a high school diploma, GPA, and sometimes an essay for BSW programs.

For MSW programs, you’ll need transcripts from your bachelor’s degree program, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Depending on the program level and specialization, some schools may also have specific prerequisites or focus areas.

Standard application requirements include:

What you can do with a social work degree really depends on the degree level you’re seeking. An undergraduate social work degree builds strong transferable skills and offers flexibility to pursue careers across sectors like healthcare, education, and nonprofits.

With a bachelor’s degree in social work, you can qualify for entry-level social work roles such as case manager, substance use counselor, social and human services assistant, and community service manager.

With a master’s degree in social work (MSW) and the appropriate licensure, you can work as a licensed clinical social worker. This credential qualifies you for advanced roles such as a medical social worker, school social worker, or mental health social worker.

Salaries for graduates with a social work degree vary by level, experience, specialization, and location. Generally, you can earn a significantly higher salary with an MSW compared to a BSW. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the average annual starting salary for MSW graduates was about $16,000 more than BSW graduates in 2023.

The cost of a social work degree can vary widely depending on the school, program, degree level, and format (online vs. in-person). According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), online social services degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels cost about $6,000 and $8,000 less, on average, than traditional, on-campus programs.