What Can You Do with a Social Work Degree?

Passionate about problem-solving? Want to be there to help others navigate difficult life situations? Intrigued by the idea of connecting people with the resources they need to thrive and exercising your empathy and strategic thinking skills simultaneously?

A career in social work may be the perfect fit. Social workers play a critical role in supporting individuals, families, and communities through myriad challenges—including mental health struggles, health care access concerns, and child welfare issues. 

Whether you are drawn to making a difference in health care, protecting children, or contributing to criminal justice reform, your social work degree can open doors to a range of extremely fulfilling career paths.

First Things First: What Is a Social Work Degree?

And, if you opt for this field of study, what classes will you take? What practical experience will you need before or after earning your degree? 

A social work degree can provide the precise education and practical skills you will need when navigating complex social problems or advocating for those in need. Courses typically included as you work toward this degree cover human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy, research methods, diversity and social justice, ethics in social work, mental health and substance abuse, and case management.

Before graduating, you’ll undertake a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience. This is a lot to tackle, but it’ll help you feel confident that you’re ready for what this career could throw at you. 

What Are the Different Types of Social Work Degrees? 

Generally, social workers hold one of two degrees: The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or the Master of Social Work (MSW).

• A Bachelor of Social Work is the entry-level qualification that allows graduates to start practicing in various roles immediately. 
• A Master of Social Work allows social workers to pursue clinical practice, where they can diagnose and treat mental health disorders, provide therapy, and manage complex cases. An MSW can also prepare graduates for roles in policy development, administration, and social work education. 

Today’s students may even be able to find a flexible online program to earn their degree, giving them the freedom to further their education while attending to life’s other responsibilities. Still, even if they are online, most social work programs do
include an experiential learning component, such as field placements or internships. 

What Can You Do with a Social Work Degree?

After you graduate with your social work degree, what next? 

A degree in social work empowers you with the flexibility to pursue roles across industries and settings. Whether you are interested in one-on-one counseling, working in health care environments, or advocating for systemic change, social work careers are both diverse—and in demand. 

Some of the most common career paths available to social work graduates include: 

Clinical Social Work

This area focuses on helping individuals and families move through and manage mental health issues, emotional challenges, and behavioral disorders. Clinical social workers are trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, provide therapy, and create long-term treatment plans that promote healing and well-being. These professionals practice in mental health clinics, hospitals, and private practices. 

Health Care Social Work

This branch of social work focuses on supporting people in the health care sphere. Social workers in this area—known as health care or medical social workers—play an essential role in helping patients navigate the complexities of the health care system.

Unlike doctors or nurses, health care social workers focus on the emotional, social, and practical aspects of a patient’s care, ensuring they receive the support they need during challenging times. Health care social workers need to be ready to help patients and their families cope with chronic illnesses, plan for post-hospital care, and connect with necessary resources. This is a challenging but clear way to help people in times of need.

(Health care social workers also tend to enjoy higher earning potential within the field. The median wage for these roles is around $63,000.) 

Child Welfare

This path gives social workers the opportunity to protect vulnerable children from abuse, neglect, and unsafe environments.

Social work professionals with this specialization are dedicated to ensuring children’s safety, supporting families in crisis, and working on cases of foster care and adoption. They may assess the needs of at-risk children, work with families to create safe living conditions, and advocate for the child’s best interest during legal proceedings. 

Criminal Justice

Criminal justice social workers focus on helping individuals involved in the court and prison systems. The goal in these scenarios is usually to assist with rehabilitation, support probation and parole efforts, and help reintegrate individuals back into society after serving time.

Here, criminal justice social workers can help their clients access addiction treatment, find housing, secure employment, or develop life skills that aid their reintegration into society. If you choose this path, you’ll have a significant impact on people who need a second chance, helping them move forward and make positive changes in their lives. 

Academia and Research

This path is ideal for social work professionals interested in progressing the field and improving best practices to educate future social workers.

Research social workers often investigate systemic issues, such as health care disparities or the effectiveness of social work interventions. Meanwhile, those in academia train students in evidence-based practices and contribute to the broader understanding of social work methodologies.

One note: Usually, the minimum educational requirement for teaching or research positions at universities is an MSW—but many institutions will want to see a doctoral degree, at least for more advanced research or full-time, tenure-track positions. 

What Are the Next Steps to Obtain a Social Work Degree? 

If you're ready to begin your journey toward a social work degree, there are a few steps you should prepare to take. Different students may take different paths to achieve their degrees and begin successful careers, but typically, future social workers will need to: 

• Meet the educational requirements to enroll in a program. For a Bachelor of Social Work, most programs require a high school diploma (or the equivalent). For a Master of Social Work, holding a BSW may be helpful, but it’s not always a requirement! Many MSW programs accept students with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines—although you may need to complete foundational social work courses.
• Complete both coursework and fieldwork. Many programs require at least 400-900 hours of supervised internship experience. Then, even after graduating, you’ll need to pursue licensure in your state. Depending on where you want to work, this may involve passing an exam and meeting state-specific guidelines for practice.

Interested in taking your first step? Pursuing a social work degree can connect you with a meaningful career path that benefits both individuals and entire communities. And, even better: When you pursue a 100 percent online social work degree from MVNU Online, you won’t have to put your life on hold to get a high-quality education. 

If you have any questions, speak with one of our enrollment counselors today!