Social work is a meaningful career path, but before you can get started in this field, you need a college degree. How long you will need to spend in school depends on what you want to do with your education. You can earn a social work degree in as little as two years, but for many social work jobs \u2013 including some of the highest-paying roles \u2013 you need to go to graduate school and earn an advanced degree.<\/p>\n
Colleges offer degrees in social work at numerous levels of study. While there are associate\u2019s degree programs in social work, these two-year programs are usually stepping stones to a bachelor\u2019s degree. The most common programs of study for aspiring social workers are the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.<\/p>\n
A BSW is the minimum level of education needed to become a social worker, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> (BLS). It\u2019s also the most common degree for social workers in most occupations. In fact, 69 percent of child, family and school social workers<\/a> have a bachelor\u2019s degree, while 26 percent of these workers hold a master\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n An associate\u2019s degree in social work won\u2019t qualify you for employment as a social worker, but it can help you land entry-level social and human service assistant roles, such as social work assistant, case work aide and clinical social work aid, the <\/strong>BLS<\/strong><\/a> reported. <\/strong><\/p>\n Like most bachelor\u2019s degree programs, the Bachelor of Social Work degree can be completed in four years of full-time study, although some students are in school longer. In a BSW program<\/a>, coursework might include social work theory and history, social welfare, human behavior in the social environment, the role of social workers in groups, helping processes, institutional racism, social research and the evaluation of social work programs and practices.<\/p>\n RELATED: Top 10 Highest Paying Social Science Jobs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Because it\u2019s important for you to practice, not just study, social work, hands-on internships<\/a> are a big part of most BSW degree programs. Often, internship opportunities exist at both agencies and community organizations and may include work with children, the aging population, individuals with developmental disabilities, patients with mental health or substance abuse disorders, victims of domestic violence, patients in hospitals, incarcerated individuals and students in schools.<\/p>\n While a bachelor\u2019s degree is necessary for social workers, it doesn\u2019t have to be a degree in social work. Some social workers approach the field with an undergraduate degree in sociology or psychology, according to the BLS. <\/strong><\/p>\n Earning your master\u2019s degree will greatly expand your career opportunities in social work, but it takes time. Like many other master\u2019s degree programs, two years is the typical time to earn the degree for full-time students. A lot of that two years of graduate study \u2013 a minimum of 900 hours, according to the Council on Social Work Education \u2013 is devoted to gaining that experience.<\/p>\n Aside from your internships, MSW students<\/a> typically complete graduate-level courses in foundational topics such as social welfare and social work, the practice of social work with individuals, families and groups, human behavior in social environments, community intervention strategies, methods of social work research and the promotion of social justice. Students also complete advance practice coursework that can help them in many different areas of social work. Advance practice options can range from health policy studies to addiction and substance abuse treatment and from psychotherapy for adults to non-profit management.<\/p>\n The remainder of your coursework in an MSW program is likely to focus on an area of specialization. There are many different areas of social work, so it makes sense that MSW programs often offer numerous specialization options. You might opt to concentrate your studies on a subject like health social work, school social work, military social work, or mental health social work. Specializations exist based on the populations of clients you will serve, including work with children and families or with senior citizens.<\/p>\n You might also focus on leadership and development in social services roles. Not all MSW graduates go on to provide direct client service in clinical roles. The advanced education you gain through graduate school can qualify you for influential roles such as lobbyist in the macro social work<\/a>, or the area of social work involved in community and social advocacy.<\/p>\n Although earning your MSW takes two years on top of the four years needed to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree, you\u2019re still not a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) yet. You need two years of supervised experience after graduation to get your license, the BLS reported. <\/strong><\/p>\n Additional Resources <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n What Can I Do With a Social Work Degree?<\/a><\/p>\n How Do I Prepare for a Social Work Degree While in High School?<\/a><\/p>\n What Should You Know When You Interview for a Job With a Degree in Social Work?<\/a><\/p>\n What Is the Salary Potential for Someone With a Social Work Degree?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n How Long Does It Take to Get an Associate Degree?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Long to Earn a BSW<\/h2>\n
How Long to Earn Your MSW<\/h2>\n