How to Earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work
While it’s no small feat completing a master’s degree in social work (MSW), the effort may definitely pay off in both job satisfaction and pay. Those who complete their degree may look forward to considerably better earnings than their bachelor-toting counterparts, as well as expanded opportunities for advancement within the field. If you’re interested in becoming a clinical social worker, one who is able to diagnose and treat a variety of mental or emotional conditions or provide counseling services, there is an outright requirement that you have a master’s degree, as well as a state license, in order to practice.
Although a bachelor’s of social work (BSW) is not required to obtain a MSW, it is advised that there is some background or coursework in a related field, like psychology or sociology. Most MSW degrees may take two years to complete on a full-time schedule. There are, however, some schools that may allow a student with a BSW to graduate on a one-year program. Plan to take courses covering a wide-range of topics throughout your studies in social work, including social welfare policy, ethics, economics and human behavior. Master’s programs may require a good balance of both class and fieldwork, including an internship with an approved organization. Some of the schools recognized as having top social worker programs are the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, the University of Chicago and Washington University in St. Louis.
There are a number of specific disciplines within this broad field that may be focused on during schooling. Gerontology, adolescent behavior, mental health and economic development are just a few of the areas of social work that may be studied with a concentration in order to pursue a particular line of work. Graduates may expect to find an optimistic job market for social workers overall, but even more so within the healthcare field. Many students who have pursued an MSW have gone on to specialize in counseling psychology or clinical psychology. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for those holding a master’s degree in social work may grow significantly faster than other types of careers over the next twenty years. There are opportunities available in administration, counseling centers, international refugee assistance and advocacy groups, but countless positions are obtainable with this degree. Salaries for professional social workers also appear to be solid, with average pay around $77,000 annually.
While higher education may be costly and time consuming, a master’s degree in social work may prove very useful to anyone looking for an advanced or clinical position within this field.
Top 5 Online Social Work Programs
With the advancement of technology numerous high ranking schools are offering social work programs online, making this process much easier especially for the people that are already working to earn a degree. We have made a list of the best online social work programs that are currently available. This list is based on the quality, reputation and cost of each program.
1. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California’s School of Social Work has started with their online classes and exams several years ago. They have one of the best social work programs that fully prepare the graduates, so they can start immediately after graduating.
The whole program is oriented toward the psychology of the client teaching the students how to enhance their social performance. This school has over 120 years of experience and nowadays it is one of the best schools in California. The duration for the BSW program is 2 years.
2. Ashford University
This is another University with long tradition in the Social Work field. They are constantly improving and upgrading their social work programs making them one of the most popular universities in the whole USA. Depending on the level of education students are looking for, they can get a degree in around one year.
If they are looking for Bachelor’s degree it will take them less than 4 years to accomplish that. They allow online students to take one course at a time with no scheduled breaks in between. Transferring credits from other schools is allowed and the process of finishing the school could be even faster.
3. Walden University
Walden University has been focused on providing an opportunity for working professionals from around the globe to earn a degree. They have invested a lot in their online education programs in the last few years and they are offering doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degree programs for every person that is interested in upgrading their knowledge.
There is a variety of degrees that can be acquired to Walden University in the field of social work. Programs in clinical social work, social psychology and many others have created some of the most successful social workers in the country. The program length is 24 months in average depending on the program that the student chooses.
4. Grand Canyon University
Since it was established in 1940, Grand Canyon University was focused on providing high quality distance learning education. Nowadays this University is one of the best ones when it comes to online education because it offers programs in Psychology and Sociology. They have one of the lowest prices in the country and it will take only four semesters to earn a degree.
5. Union Institute and University
With the help of the accredited Bachelor in Social Work Online Degree from this university graduates can start working with both individuals and groups of people.
Courses like human diversity, social welfare and multicultural social work are only part of this process. If the courses are taken without a break earning a Bachelor’s degree is possible in less than 24 months.
The Top Social Worker Schools on the East Coast
Finding the right school to become a social worker is tough. Although there are many choices, not all of them are accredited, nor are all of them flexible enough to meet a broad spectrum of individual circumstances, schedules, or geographic limitations.
If finding information about top social worker schools on the East Coast is what you’re after, then look no further. Below you’ll find five of the best social work schools you may be able to attend that are based on the East Coast.
Liberty University supports an impressive 160 accredited programs from which to choose. In addition, they have very strong social work degree offerings as high as the postgraduate level. Almost all of their courses may be taken completely online without having to ever physically visit a classroom. Liberty has the distinction of being the largest nonprofit private university in the United States, the largest university in the state of Virginia, and is known as the largest Christian learning institution on the planet[1].
Post University has been around since 1890. They’re famous for their flexible, highly interactive and convenient online curriculum that lead to a number of degree and certificate programs in social work. They excel in helping you find a program that’s suitable to your style of learning and other academic needs that’ll help you achieve your full potential so that you may embark on a successful career[2].
Fordham University has a degree program in social work that requires you to complete forty-eight hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of eighteen hours of fieldwork. If you’re already employed in the social work field you may use your existing job as credit toward your fieldwork requirement. This New York-based institution has made a commitment to discover wisdom and to transmit learning through sound research and graduate, undergraduate and professional teaching of the very highest caliber[3].
Boston University is committed to its long history of addressing economic and social justice in urban communities through its curriculum of social work degree programs. Students may enroll for a dual degree course of study, attend full-time or part-time, and choose to specialize in coursework that they find to be the most rewarding[4].
Florida State University offers a Bachelors of Science degree in interdisciplinary social science. This degree emphasizes coping with career field changes and equips students with the necessary problem-solving skills that may help them adjust to numerous situational difficulties[5].
[1] For more information, please visit: https://www.liberty.edu/
[2] For more information, please visit: https://www.post.edu/
[3] For more information, please visit: http://www.fordham.edu/
[4] For more information, please visit: https://www.bu.edu/
[5] For more information, please visit: https://www.fsu.edu/
The Top Social Worker Schools on the West Coast
If you’ve been looking for information about the top social worker schools on the West Coast, then your search is over. In this article you’ll find five of the best social work schools you may be able to attend either on campus or online which are located in the Western United States.
After reading this article you may have a good starting point of sources of top-notch schools that offer degrees for future social workers that you may take on campus or online or any combination of the two; whichever best fits your circumstances.
USC School of Social Work has one of the highest-ranked degree programs in the country that enjoys global online access that people all over the world may complete without being physically present on a campus. This trailblazing institution is one of the first accredited schools specializing in social work in the United States[1].
Brandman University is a top-notch school that offers a Bachelors of Arts degree with a strong emphasis in social work studies. It has operated since 1958 and also offers several graduate-level degrees as well as certificates and teaching credentials. A generous amount of liberal arts courses are required to successfully complete their social work program[2].
University of Southern California offers the oldest and one of the most prestigious MSW degree programs available in the Western United States. They give you the opportunity to specialize in a wide variety of social work disciplines; in fact, you have more specialized opportunities with them than you may find in any other program[3].
University of Phoenix is world renowned for its online and on-campus accelerated degree programs for working adults. One unique aspect of UOP coursework is that faculty members are required to have current relevant work experience related to the course of studies that they teach. This is to ensure that the instruction you receive is directly applicable to your field of study and may be put into practice as soon as you enter the workforce[4].
Grand Canyon University combines faith and science to offer students a unique perspective of social working. This Christian school is based in Arizona and is a premier private university that strives to help students discover their unique purpose and reach their full potential by giving them the skills that allow them to enter the career that they’ve always dreamed about, advance an existing career, or even changing their career if they’re already in the workforce[5].
[1] For more information, please visit: https://sowkweb.usc.edu/
[2] For more information, please visit: https://www.brandman.edu/
[3] For more information, please visit: https://www.usc.edu/
[4] For more information, please visit: https://www.phoenix.edu/
[5] For more information, please visit: https://www.gcu.edu/