What To Study To Become A Social Worker

Social workers make a difference in the lives of individuals and the community. The demand for social workers is expected to grow by 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. With around 74,000 openings for social workers projected each year over the next decade, it’s a booming career option.

If you want to join this field and make a positive impact but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Learn what to study to become a social worker and the best routes to take to meet your career goals. 

What Do You Need To Study To Become A Social Worker?

To be a social worker, you need to have a degree in social work from an accredited college or university. At minimum, you’ll need a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). You’ll need a Master of Social Work (MSW) and sometimes a doctorate (DSW) or PhD in Social Work to attain higher positions in the field. The profession of social work is unique in its education. It comes with its own code of ethics and body of knowledge. 

Each qualification level qualifies social workers for different positions. For example, a BSW will qualify you for entry-level positions in residential, mental health and aging services. With an MSW, you can become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), where you can offer one-on-one advanced clinical services. Holding a doctorate can help you pursue advanced training in policy analysis and research. There are also programs like human services degrees that make it easier and more affordable to transfer into a four-year college. 

What Undergraduate Programs Are Best For Social Workers?

To become a social worker, you must earn a BSW to be eligible to enter the field. There are also other helpful double majors and undergraduate programs that can help you get relevant work experience earlier on and make it easier for you to understand the BSW curriculum. 

BSW

This undergraduate degree is compulsory for anyone looking to enter the professional field of social work with an undergraduate qualification. It can also be used as a stepping stone for entry into more specialized social work positions. 

The BSW degree provides students with theoretical and field placement experience. These graduates are employable in different social work fields, including health services, immigrant services and child and family services. 

Human Services Associate Degree

An Associate of Science Degree in Human Services is another excellent undergraduate program. This two-year college degree program is designed to prepare students to work in human services. It’s also a good starting point for students who want to pursue entry-level social work roles and related fields. 

The Human Services Associate Degree is perfect for students who are serious about gaining a deep understanding of the human services areas, like social welfare policy, case management and crisis prevention. It balances theory and practice, equipping students with the essential knowledge, skills and cultural awareness to make a difference in the human services fields. 

If you’re interested in earning a BSW, an Associate of Science Degree in Human Services can make your transfer to a university easier. Here’s how it could be beneficial: 

• Focus on social structures: An associate degree can help you learn about the social structures outlined by fields like psychology, sociology and political science. Building strong foundational knowledge in these social structures gives you a profound understanding of the core coursework for a BSW, making it easier to study for the degree and achieve top marks. 
• Lower education costs: A Human Services Associate Degree could minimize education costs, especially when you complete it at a community college. It allows you to do your first two years at community college prices and then transfer credits into a BSW. 
• Improve relevant experience: When you transfer your credits into a BSW, you can work part-time in the field, giving you more relevant experience and the capacity to earn more income. 

Other Helpful Courses And Subjects

You need a BSW to become a social worker, but there are some electives and classes outside of the field that would be beneficial. Having a bachelor’s degree in fields related to social work can also make you eligible for obtaining your MSW. Here are some of the most helpful courses for your consideration: 

• Psychology: Gain an understanding of behavior and mental processes that can help support trauma interventions and treatment planning, which are also crucial elements of social work. 
• Sociology: Sociology can help you learn more about how inequality shapes institutions. The systems you learn can help you guide families, organizations and institutions.
• Philosophy: Social workers can benefit from the decision-making skills that philosophy majors bring. These skills can also help you build a more reflective practice, which is especially important when you plan to do your MSW. 

What Certifications, Degrees And Exams Should A Social Worker Complete? 

Social worker certifications vary by state. The Board of Registration of Social Work regulates social worker degree requirements and ethics to protect the public in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There are four levels of licensure for social work, and each calls for different qualification levels. Here’s a breakdown: 

Start Your Journey At Mount Wachusett Community College

The Human Services Department at Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) offers an Associate of Science Degree in Human Services, which prepares students for entry-level positions in several human services settings. Our course equips students with the skills and terminology needed to succeed in human services professions. It offers foundational knowledge to prepare students for further studies in social work and other related fields. 

We are a student-focused, affordable and convenient college with helpful staff and personalized academic planning. Our academic department can guide you on how to become a social worker and provide you with the best steps to achieve your goals. We have transfer agreements in place with both public and private four-year schools so our students can seamlessly transfer to complete their bachelor’s degree. 

If you’re ready to take the first step in your social work journey, fill out an application or request more information about our offerings.