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Social Work Careers and Resource Center

Learn about social work careers, degree programs, salary data and accredited schools.

Social Work Home | Job Description | Trends | Degrees | Social Work Interview | Licensing | Salary | Find Schools

Why Social Work Careers?

social worker

Social work careers are for the brave and visionary, for people who can—and do—change the world one life at a time.

Clinical social workers provide mental health services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental, behavioral and emotional disorders in individuals, families and groups. Their ultimate goal is to improve a client's physical, psychological and social function.

Use this social work career center to learn how to become a social worker and get your licensing. There are in-depth articles on the following subjects:

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Social Work Careers: Job Description

In a nutshell, social workers observe their clients' behavior, assess their needs and develop treatment strategies. Within this simple structure lies a world of possibilities.

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Social Work Careers: Required Degrees

A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement to qualify for a job as a social worker. However, a master's in social work (MSW) is usually required for clinical work.

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Interview with a Licensed Social Worker

Nikelle Rosier-Butler is a licensed social worker who works with juveniles—and maintains a busy private practice. Read her tips for students seeking a social work career.

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Social Work Careers: Licensing

Licensing requirements vary by state. Most states require approximately 3,000 hours of supervised field experience prior to licensing.

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Social Work Careers: Social Worker Salaries

The average yearly wage for all social workers is $46,220, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2008 report. However, salaries of clinical social workers vary greatly by experience, degree and whether they work in the private or nonprofit sector.

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Spotlight Schools

Walden University

At Walden, you'll benefit not only from our unique distance learning delivery models, but from the personal attention of our world-class faculty, and from a highly customized program that is directly related to your career goals.

social worker with kids

Did You Know?

  • Although the basic foundations of social work dates way back, social work as we currently know it began in the late 1880s. Called the "settlement movement," this new system was started to provide aid for the many ills that popped up as a result of the Industrial Revolution.
  • Social work used to be mandatory in many societies—caring for the poor was considered a social responsibility for Europeans who could afford it, and proof of one's piety.