Social Worker Training

If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of others, becoming a social worker allows you to do just that. The jobs for social workers can take many forms, but the ultimate goal is to help individuals cope with and solve issues in their everyday lives.

Overview of Social Worker Training

Social workers can be found in a wide variety of places and positions--from working with children in the foster care system to helping the elderly with mental health and wellness issues, social workers can touch every part of the social landscape.

• Child, family and school. These social workers might work with government agencies, such as Child Protective Services, to assist children, single parents, foster families, adopted children and those who are in difficult family situations. In the schools, social workers work closely with parents and teachers to ensure a child reaches their full potential.
• Mental health and substance abuse. Supportive services for those with mental health or substance abuse issues might include everything from one-on-one counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention or residential rehabilitation.
• Medical and public health. These social workers focus on providing support to individuals and families in difficult medical situations. They might specialize to work with seniors, children, those with disabilities and more.
• Administration, research and planning. These are the social workers who create the policies, handle the research and provide the guidance needed to reach more people through new and established social programs.

Keep in mind that social workers in any capacity can be referred to as licensed clinical social workers, assuming they hold the mandated license in their state.

Social Worker Training: Degrees and Coursework

A bachelor's degree is the minimum educational requirement for a social worker, but some positions require a master's degree or more. Many opt for a bachelor's degree in social work, but some employers may consider an applicant who has a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as sociology or psychology.

For those who want to go into clinical work or find positions in health and school settings, a master's degree in social work is usually required. Some jobs might require a master's degree with an emphasis in a certain area, such as administration or social welfare policy. If you intend to go into research or seek a university teaching position, a doctorate in social work is usually the requirement.

Licensing for Social Workers

Licensing, certification and registration requirements are in place in all states and the District of Columbia. The rules and expectations for each vary from one state to another. However, most states require 3,000 hours or 2 years of supervised clinical experience in order to award a license for clinical social workers.

Since the requirements for licensing vary, and because each employer might require an applicant to obtain further education or certification, it is important to check with your state of residence to determine exactly what you must do to begin employment as a social worker.

Social Worker Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were approximately 642,000 social workers in the United States in 2008. 54 percent of them worked in the social assistance and health care industries, while 31 percent worked in government agencies.

In 2009, the income for social workers varied, depending upon their area of expertise and employment. The following BLS statistics reflect the median annual income for social workers in 2009:

• Child, family and school social workers: $43,450
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $41,350
• Medical and public health social workers: $48,340
• All other social workers: $50,470

Jobs for social workers are expected to grow at a rate of 16 percent from 2008 to 2018. Jobs in private service agencies are expected to increase, as well as positions of social support for the elderly population. The largest job growth for social workers should be seen among those who specialize in medical and public health, where the demand could increase by 22 percent, or much faster than the average for all occupations.

Resources for Social Workers

• Bureau of Labor Statistics - Social Workers

Related Career Schools

Relevant Careers

• Family and School Social Workers
• Health Social Workers
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
• Social Workers

Related Articles

• How to Become a Social Worker

• Social Worker Education Requirements

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