Discover Social Work Degree Programs

Social Work Degrees Overview: What Social Work Degree Is Right for Me?

In order to begin your social work career, you’ll need to complete the appropriate education. However, the type of degree you should pursue depends entirely on your specific career goals and educational needs. Below is a table to help you decide which degree path will make the most sense for your specific circumstances:

Program Accreditation

Proper social work program accreditation ensures that your degree will meet your state’s licensing requirements. Social workers are licensed by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), so you’ll need to make sure that they accredit your degree program. That isn’t to say that you won’t receive a good education from non-accredited schools, but your options will be limited by a non-accredited degree.

It’s also important to know that while associate’s and doctorate degrees in social work exist, there are currently no CSWE-accredited ASWs, DSWs, graduate certificates, or Ph.D. programs in social work. However, efforts are being made to change that in the future.

Associate’s Degree in Social Work (ASW)

While you’ll need a bachelor’s degree or higher for most social work positions, there’s still a place in the field for those with an Associate’s Degree in Social Work (ASW). This degree provides a basic, entry-level education for those looking for a foot in the door for jobs like case manager, direct support professional, or entry-level positions in shelters or nursing homes. It can also pave the way for future education. An ASW takes two years to complete and can be found at the community college level.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degree

A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is the minimum requirement for most social work positions. This degree can lead to promising careers, such as:

• Occupational Social Worker
• School Social Worker
• Community Social Worker
• Child Welfare Social Worker
• Correctional Social Worker

While a BSW degree is a great choice for many people in this field, it can be limiting in some situations. In many therapeutic or clinical-based social work careers, you must get at least a master’s degree (MSW). A BSW will take around four years to complete and can be found at many colleges and universities.

Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree

For those looking to enter into clinical-based social work settings, a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree can give you the right qualifications and educational background when it comes to interviewing for positions like:

• Healthcare Social Worker
• Mental Health Social Worker
• Administrative Social Worker
• Aging Social Worker
• Substance Abuse Social Worker

MSW programs are a great way to get a much broader scope of education and practice as a social worker. They are also the most common level of education for social work licensure, which can vary by state. Holding an MSW may benefit your paycheck and the number of different career opportunities available. MSW programs take two years to complete once you have obtained a BSW and are commonly found at universities nationwide.

Find MSW Programs Near Me: By State

Each state may have different requirements. To find out specific requirements, click on your state.

• AL Alabama
• AK Alaska
• AZ Arizona
• AR Arkansas
• CA California
• CO Colorado
• CT Connecticut
• DE Delaware
• FL Florida
• GA Georgia
• HI Hawaii
• ID Idaho
• IL Illinois
• IN Indiana
• IA Iowa
• KS Kansas
• KY Kentucky
• LA Louisiana
• ME Maine
• MD Maryland
• MA Massachusetts
• MI Michigan
• MN Minnesota
• MS Mississippi
• MO Missouri
• MT Montana
• NE Nebraska
• NV Nevada
• NH New Hampshire
• NJ New Jersey
• NM New Mexico
• NY New York
• NC North Carolina
• ND North Dakota
• OH Ohio
• OK Oklahoma
• OR Oregon
• PA Pennsylvania
• RI Rhode Island
• SC South Carolina
• SD South Dakota
• TN Tennessee
• TX Texas
• UT Utah
• VT Vermont
• VA Virginia
• WA Washington
• WV West Virginia
• WI Wisconsin
• WY Wyoming

Graduate Certificate in Social Work

Graduate certificates are a great way for graduate-prepared psychology or counseling students to specialize in social work without going through another lengthy degree program. One popular option is to get a psychology degree with a graduate certificate in social work, allowing graduates to enter the field as practicing psychologists. Though many different social work graduate certificates exist, none are currently accredited by CSWE. They will take anywhere from six to twelve months to complete.

Doctorate in Social Work Degrees – DSW and Ph.D.

If you complete your MSW and still want to continue your studies, you might want to consider getting a doctorate in social work. Two types are available: Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) and Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in social work. A DSW will typically focus more on the clinical aspect of social work (though all licensing requirements will be met with an MSW), and a Ph.D. in social work will be more focused on the theoretical and educational aspects of social work. Both will take an added 4-6 years following an MSW.

While both provide the highest degree level that a social worker can obtain, it technically doesn’t provide a higher scope of practice unless you are interested in becoming a professor of social work. CSWE accredits neither DSW nor Ph.D. degrees in social work.

Can I Get a Social Work Degree Online?

Online social work degree programs have been around for many years and can provide a great education in the comfort of your own home, and many times, they can be completed at your own pace. If accepted into an MSW program, in-person clinical requirements can often be fulfilled in your community. Other highlights of online social work degrees include:

• Flexibility to study around personal and professional commitments
• Access to a broader range of programs and specializations
• Opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and educators from around the world
• Ability to pace studies according to individual learning styles and needs