Career Opportunities for Majors in Social Work

The field of social work aims to improve the quality of life for people experiencing a broad range of problems due to societal and economic factors, such as poverty and homelessness, or involving personal and family issues like parent-child conflict, substance abuse, and caring for aged relatives. Social work functions include providing services directly to clients, as well as administrative responsibilities such as organizing and evaluating services, managing programs, and developing social policy.

Many social workers work within child welfare and family service agencies and in settings providing mental health, medical, educational, correctional, and gerontological services. These agencies may be in the public sector or under private auspices (for-profit or not-for-profit). Other social workers are self-employed. With a master's degree you may become licensed by the state to accept third party payments. Every state has some form of certification or licensure for social workers.

A bachelor's degree is usually required for entry level positions, although majors in psychology, sociology, and related
fields are sometimes considered for these jobs. A master's in social work (MSW) is generally required for positions involving clinical services. Supervisory and administrative positions often require an MSW. College teaching and research positions often require a doctoral degree in social work.

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