How To Become A Social Worker
To become a social worker who is licensed and qualified to practice, you will need to complete education requirements (see below). However, many companies and government agencies will offer entry-level positions in social services to applicants who possess a Bachelor’s degree with a major in a related field. The pay of a social worker without a specialized qualification is generally far less than their colleagues who have had relevant education.
Regardless, to become a social worker, you will need to possess a great drive to help people, a strong work ethic, and have a friendly, honest personality. Employment is mostly given to those who are “people persons” – enthusiastic, good communicators with a proven record of integrity and reliability. Volunteering for unpaid positions is a great way to improve your resume and get your name out into your local community – it could open the doors you need to become a social worker after graduation.
Education Requirements To Become a Social Worker
In the United States of America, all social workers must be licensed in their local area in order to practice. The regulations vary state by state, but all require a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) or a similar major such as psychology or sociology.
Depending on the institution, it takes three to four years to attain a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW), and graduates are eligible to begin working as case workers, mental health assistants, residential counselors, and other one-on-one positions in social services. The focus of the study includes social justice, ethics, economic impact, human behavior, welfare policies, training for dealing with at-risk individuals and groups, and how to understand the needs of minorities. The social worker salary, on average, is much lower for those with only a BSW, as they are not allowed to practice in a clinical setting, thereby reducing their employment options.
In order to work as a clinical social worker, a Master’s degree is required. This is an additional two years of study that involves professional supervision or internship, during which the social worker learns through experience how to manage large case loads and provide clinical assessment. Once a Master’s is granted, the graduate can begin working in a much greater capacity in clinical social work and may provide counseling and therapy for individuals. The pay of a social worker with a MSW is, on average, at least $20,000 higher than those holding a BSW only.