Social Work

Overview

Social work programs prepare people to counsel groups and individuals.

In social work programs, students learn counseling methods and how to manage casework. They also learn when to make referrals to other services.

Social work programs include topics such as:

Counseling
Public policy
Substance abuse
End-of-life care
Mental illness
Social research methods

Social work programs prepare students to work in:

Government agencies
Substance abuse centers
Prisons
Juvenile correction homes
Schools
Mental health clinics

Concentrations

In social work programs, students may be able to specialize in:

Youth services
Medical social work

Schools

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in social work. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

Most social work programs are offered at the graduate level. Many universities offer graduate degrees in social work. A master’s degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master’s degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Most schools require that you pass certain courses with good grades before you can officially become a social work major. Typically, these courses are lower-level sociology, psychology, and statistics. Often a biology course is also required. In addition, many schools require you to complete an official application to the social work program. This application usually includes a personal statement, professional resume, undergraduate transcripts, and background check.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Advanced English Composition courses
Anthropology
Economics
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.

Most schools also require the following:

Letters of recommendation
Personal statement
Professional social work experience and professional resume

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Alcohol and Drug Issues
Child Welfare
Counseling
Criminal Justice
Cultural Diversity
Ethics and Values
History of Social Services
Human Behavior
Social Environment
Social Research
Social Welfare Practice
Social Work Administration
Social Work Policy and Services
Statistics
Supervised Fieldwork

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate programs that lead to a master's or doctoral degree typically include:

Required courses
Fieldwork
Thesis (master's degree)
Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)

In most social work programs, students spend their third or fourth year of study doing field work. This means that students work at social service agencies such as mental health clinics, nursing homes, or substance abuse centers. Students perform duties such as meeting with clients, writing reports, and general casework. Students are closely supervised by professional social workers. Through fieldwork, students learn firsthand what it's like to be a social worker. They learn to apply their course work to real-life situations. Fieldwork also gives students valuable experience that they can use to apply for jobs after they receive their bachelor's degree.

Things to Know

You can do many things in high school and college to gain social work experience, such as volunteer at community organizations and social service agencies.

Most states require you to become licensed or certified to become a practicing social worker. You must meet certain criteria regarding education and fieldwork experience. Often you must pass an exam.

Some schools combine sociology and social work into a single bachelor's degree program. Other schools combine criminal justice and social work into a single bachelor's degree program.

If you want to become a counselor, supervisor, or administrator, you usually have to get a master's degree in social work.

Often you can combine graduate study in social work with other graduate programs, such as nursing, law, public health, or education.