A bachelor’s degree in social work can be a great stepping stone in the field of human services.
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It can help you increase your earning potential, open doors for career advancement, and learn skills that you’ll need to help your community. Additionally, since it can be earned online, you can get qualified without even needing to attend classes on a college campus.
What Can You Do with a Bachelor’s in Social Work?
The most obvious path for a student of social work is to become a social worker. However, this is far from the only job option that you could pursue.
With a traditional or online bachelor’s degree in social work, you can pursue the following careers:
- Caseworker
- Marriage or family therapist
- Addiction counselor
- Probation officer
- Health educator
- School or career counselor
- Program coordinator
- Rehabilitation worker
- Mental health assistant
- Community outreach worker
Many of these jobs are classified as “human services jobs” or “community and social service jobs.”
There are also non-traditional career options for social work. If you’re interested in advocacy, for example, you might join the legal or political world. If you want to spread awareness about the cause, you might work in education, research, public health or journalism.
One thing to note about a bachelor’s degree in social work is that it’s often considered an entry-level qualification for the field. The most lucrative jobs may require a master’s degree or higher. Additionally, if you want to become a social worker, you’ll need to get licensed by your state before you can actually practice.
What Is Social Work?
Social work revolves around helping others. Whether it’s counseling families through hardship or working on policy changes for the entire community, it’s dedicated to advocacy and education for the greater good.
Common jobs in social work include case worker, school counselor, addiction therapist, correctional officer, health educator and community program coordinator.
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Social work degrees can be earned at every level of education from associate to doctorate. However, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is often considered the baseline for employment. It’s the entry-level degree for people who want to get their foot in the door or eventually move on to a Master of Social Work (MSW).
A master’s degree isn’t necessary for all jobs. You’ll just see it mentioned a lot since many states require a MSW for their social worker licenses. But don’t be daunted by this requirement as there are a number of MSW accelerated programs or online MSW programs no GRE that may allow you to earn your master’s much quicker and cheaper, or with much more flexibility.
There is also a growing number of universities offering part time MSW programs for students who work or have other time taking responsibilities.
Bachelor of Social Work Careers & Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for community and social service occupations that typically require a bachelor’s degree for entry is $47,520 per year. With a bachelor’s degree in social work, here are some careers that you can pursue:
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| Social and Community Service Manager | $67,150 |
| School and Career Counselor | $57,040 |
| Health Educator | $56,500 |
| Case Manager | $55,690 |
| Social Worker | $51,760 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor | $47,660 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Worker | $48,430 |
| Community Health Worker | $42,000 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $37,530 |
| Social and Human Service Assistant | $35,960 |
Something to note about salaries is that they can vary drastically even within the same field. For example, the average salary for a social worker in healthcare is $57,630 per year while the average salary for a social worker specializing in child, family and school issues is $48,430 per year.
Choosing an Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Degree
Choosing the right degree program can make a huge difference in your future. This is especially true in a field like social work. There are many different degrees, certificates and licenses that you can earn, and there are often specialties and sub-specialties for each one.
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Which school is right for you? Which program will best prepare you for the field? Here are just a few things to consider when thinking about social work degrees.
- Accreditation. The university should be regionally or nationally accredited. The program should be recognized by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
- Online availability. Can you take classes online? Are they self-paced or self-directed to allow maximum flexibility with your schedule? Will you need to complete any fieldwork in the real world?
- Degree: The most common designation for the degree is a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), but you might also find schools that offer a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) or a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW).
- Program length. A bachelor’s degree in social work usually requires four years of full-time study, but some schools offer accelerated programs for students who are eager to get into the field.
- Additional degrees, specializations and certifications. There are a number of ways to supplement a degree in social work, so check your options with your intended school. They might offer special programs for students on particular paths or with particular career goals.
You’ll also want to consider the usual suspects like tuition, financial aid, school ranking, admissions criteria and faculty-to-student ratio.
Is a Bachelor’s in Social Work Degree Worth It?
Yes, a bachelor’s in social work degree is worth it for many students. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, community and social service occupations are expected to grow by 12% in the next decade. This is much faster than the national average, and its umbrella includes social workers, family counselors, correctional officers and more. Overall, more than 300,000 jobs are expected to be added to the field.
A bachelor’s degree is typically required for community and social service occupations.
Is this enough for a bachelor’s degree in social work to be worth it? Ultimately, it’s a question that only you can answer, but the job opportunities are definitely there.
What Can You Do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work?
A bachelor’s degree in social work can open many doors in the human services industry. If you’re interested in direct work with vulnerable individuals, you might consider a career as a counselor, therapist, addiction specialist or case manager.
With additional training, you might become a legal advocate in the courtroom or correctional system, or you might specialize in something like health education or community development.
If you prefer to stay behind the scenes, you might prefer a more administrative job. You might reform the system from within as a policy maker, or you might work for a nonprofit or social services agency as a program manager, activity director or outreach coordinator.
Some careers in social work will require more than a bachelor’s degree. Make sure to do your research into industry standards and expectations before you enroll in a degree program.
Getting Your Bachelor’s in Social Work Degree Online
If you have a passion for things like advocacy, social justice and community outreach, social work can be a great way to give back to the world. Not only can it help you feed your soul, but you’ll also join a flexible, fast-growing field with many career opportunities.
A bachelor’s degree in social work can qualify you for a variety of jobs. Depending on your interests, it can also be used as a foundation for further education or higher career advancement.
Consider a BSW if you’re ready to take your first and most important steps into the field of social work.
