Social Work Career Paths: When to Get an MSW

Building a career in social work involves making choices about which populations to serve and how to best support them. While an undergraduate degree is a good starting point, moving into more advanced roles usually requires an advanced degree.

Earning an online Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Campbellsville University (CU) increases the types of jobs one can choose, allowing professionals to work in roles that require specific credentials or a higher level of responsibility. For those looking to make this move, this online program provides a way to prepare for these positions while balancing current work responsibilities.

What Career Paths Are Available in Social Work?

Social workers work in a variety of environments, ranging from busy hospitals to quiet neighborhood centers. In healthcare, they help patients manage the aftermath of a diagnosis, while in school settings, they support students facing emotional or social issues. Government agencies and community nonprofits also rely on these professionals to manage programs that support the public. The work falls into two categories:

1. Direct practice: Direct practice involves working face-to-face with individuals, families or small groups to resolve immediate problems.

2. Macro-level: Macro-level positions focus on changing the systems that affect large groups of people. This might include changing local policies or managing large-scale social service organizations.

Within these categories, people can focus on specific areas such as supporting children, helping individuals with mental health conditions or advocating for the elderly. CU’s MSW online degree recognizes this range of interests by offering several areas of focus, including clinical practice, substance use disorder, faith-based social work, school social work and forensic social work.

What Is an MSW and Why Does it Matter?

An MSW is a graduate-level degree that provides advanced training for high-level social work practice. While a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) qualifies for entry-level positions, a master’s degree is required for many advanced roles.

This difference is apparent in clinical work. In order to practice as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), one must first earn an MSW, followed by years of supervised practice and passing the LCSW exam. An MSW degree provides advanced training in assessment and therapy that’s needed to earn an LMSW license. Having this degree shows that a practitioner has met the national standards and is prepared to handle the responsibilities of the role.

When Should You Pursue an MSW Degree?

Deciding when to start a master’s program depends on an individual’s goals. Many social workers enter a program early in their careers to gain the credentials for a specific job they want. This allows them to start building their experience right away.

Others wait until they have more experience. These mid-career professionals often find that they’ve hit the ceiling in their current role. For them, an MSW is the way to move into leadership positions or transition into a clinical therapist role. Since clinical licensure requires a set number of supervised hours after graduation, starting the degree sooner can lead to licensure as an independent social worker at an earlier age.

What Are the Benefits of Earning an MSW?

One of the most obvious changes after earning an MSW is the potential for a higher salary. Many organizations have set pay scales that automatically increase for those with a master’s degree. Aside from a pay increase, the degree opens doors to specialized areas of practice that otherwise wouldn’t be an option, such as private therapy or hospital social work.

This degree also prepares graduates for leadership. Individuals with an MSW are often chosen to head social service departments or lead policy development teams. It provides a broader view on how to manage organizations and influence the laws that affect social welfare, giving professionals a stronger voice in their communities.

How Do You Choose the Right Social Work Career Path?

Choosing a path requires an honest look at what kind of work is the most fulfilling. Some people enjoy helping individuals through a crisis, while others might like the challenge of reorganizing the system to prevent those crises from happening in the first place.

Licensing goals also play a big part in this choice. If the goal is to become a therapist, picking a program with a clinical focus and that is CSWE-accredited are the most important factors. For individuals who need to keep working while they study, the program’s flexibility is a major factor. Finding a balance between a job and a degree is much easier when the curriculum caters to working professionals.

Advance Your Career in Social Work With Campbellsville University

Taking the next step in a social work career is an important move that can lead to better pay and more satisfying work. Earning an MSW is the most effective way to experience these opportunities and begin earning the credentials for clinical practice. Campbellsville University’s CSWE-accredited online MSW program fits into a busy schedule, allowing professionals to gain experience without putting their lives on hold. The 60-credit-hour program can be completed in as few as five semesters, and no GRE or GMAT is required to apply. Students with a background outside of social work can enter through the foundation program, while those with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program may qualify for advanced standing.

The program is grounded in ethical and Christian ideas and a trauma-informed approach to practice, preparing graduates to work with individuals, families, communities and groups across a range of settings. Career paths available to graduates include clinical social worker, healthcare social worker, substance abuse counselor and forensic social worker, among others.

Learn more about CU’s online Master of Social Work program.