It is possible to earn an online Master of Social Work degree. Don’t know how? Read on.
One of the most satisfying ways to help people in need is by following a career in social work. Social worker career paths can vary depending on your education and experience. An online Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is one way to acquire appropriate professional credentials, although there are also several classroom-based MSW programs.
A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) qualification is also available at a number of social worker schools, but this level of education may not be high enough to offer you the best job opportunities in the field.
If you want to assist people with overcoming social problems that prevent them from integrating into society and you have the skills to be an adviser, advocate and counselor, a career as a clinical social worker may be a rewarding and challenging path for you.
To work in a clinical setting, diagnosing and treating mental and behavioral problems, you must have a master's degree. A master's degree can also open up opportunities in social work administration.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of social workers will grow by 25 percent from 2010 to 2020, making it a career with a great future. As the average age of the population of the United States continues to increase, certain specialties, such as elder care and dealing with age-onset dementia, will be in even higher demand.
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Every American state requires social workers to be licensed. Licensed social worker requirements vary from state to state, but in general, you must have a BSW or MSW degree from a program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). You must also have passed an appropriate licensing exam.
CSWE is the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States. It is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Currently, there 223 accredited master's social worker programs, so you shouldn't have any difficulty finding a school that suits your needs.
If you need, or prefer, to get your MSW degree through distance education, CSWE has a list of accredited online and distance learning programs. To date, this list consists of 21 universities, although the CSWE is still gathering data on this topic. Some schools may only admit students from their home states for online study, so contact the schools that interest you to see if you qualify for admission.
Some schools, such as University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Fordham University and University of South Carolina, are ranked as offering top social work programs by organizations such as U.S. News and World Report.
If you have decided that your desired social work career requires an MSW, you need to weigh your education options carefully. Get started today and receive your list of options for online Master of Social Work programs and traditional, classroom-based programs.
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