Your Guide to Social Work Degrees

Earning a social work degree from an accredited program can lead to a rewarding career in social services. This dynamic field promotes the well-being and empowerment of individuals, families, and communities. Social work degrees exist at every level, including diploma, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate. However, many entry-level administrative roles typically require a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). At the same time, you may need to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) or higher to pursue a career as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

Learn more about the major types of degrees available to earn when you're interested in studying social work, along with the jobs you can pursue with a bachelor's or master's degree.

Social work degrees

Your type of social work degree will depend on your unique career goals. If you’d like to practice clinical social work, you may need at least a master’s degree in some provinces. A diploma, associate, or bachelor’s degree may qualify you for entry-level positions. 

Associate degree in social work

An associate degree typically takes two years of full-time study at a community college or university. Currently, associate degrees are only available in British Columbia. 

While this degree may qualify you for entry-level roles, it’s also commonly used as a stepping stone toward earning a bachelor’s degree at a four-year university, especially those programs offering an associate degree in pre-social work. 

Admissions requirements: Most schools require a high school diploma or equivalent. If you haven’t met the required high school coursework, you may need to take placement tests in math and English before gaining admission.

Who’s it for: An associate degree is a smart option for trying social work in an entry-level role. It’s also a good way to save money, as many community colleges have lower tuition than four-year colleges. If you pursue a higher degree, your community college credits will often transfer to bachelor’s programs.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Many social work jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree. Depending on your program, earning a BSW takes three to four years of full-time study (possibly less if you already have your associate degree). Depending on the program, earning a BSW may also qualify you for advanced standing in a social work master’s degree program. In this case, you may be able to complete your master’s degree in as little as one year.

Admission requirements: While requirements vary by school, they typically include a high school diploma or equivalent with a minimum GPA requirement. Some universities also require standardized test scores, a personal essay, and letters of recommendation.

Who’s it for: If you know you’d like a career in social work, a BSW can build a foundation of skills and knowledge to set you up for success. It is also a first step toward earning a graduate degree in social work.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

To become a licensed clinical social worker, you may need to earn an MSW in some provinces. These programs take around two years of full-time study and help you hone in on a specialization and develop clinical assessment skills. You can also take what you’ve learned outside the classroom and into the real world through supervised fieldwork or an internship, typically part of the curriculum.

You need a bachelor’s degree, but not necessarily a BSW, to earn your MSW. However, if you have your BSW, you may find accelerated programs that will speed up the time it takes to earn your graduate degree.

Admission requirements: Most MSW programs require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree, though it doesn’t necessarily have to be in social work. It’s also common to see a minimum GPA, GRE scores, a personal essay, and professional references on the list of requirements.

Who’s it for: Aim for a master’s degree if you’d like to practice clinical social work or to enhance your job prospects and pay grade in the field. 

PhD in social work

With a social work PhD program, you can prepare for university research and academic teaching positions. Earning this degree typically takes four to five years of coursework and work on a thesis paper or dissertation. 

Admission requirements: You’ll need an MSW or an equivalent master’s degree to enter a doctoral program. You may also need to submit samples of publications or papers that demonstrate your research skills.

Who’s it for: A PhD in social work might be right for you if you’re interested in teaching social work at a college or university or pursuing advanced research.

Social work curriculum and field experience

Each social work program will have its curriculum, with classes becoming more advanced as you pursue higher degrees. Topics you’re likely to study include:

• Human behavior

• Social services delivery systems

• Research methods

• Statistics

• Social environment

• Diversity, oppression, and social justice

• Social welfare policy

• Assessment and diagnosis

• Strategic planning

At the graduate level, curricula often contain coursework on specialized topics, such as couple and family therapy, child welfare, death and dying, substance abuse, and social services for older adults.

Many programs at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels also include field experience, where you work under the supervision of a social worker in a real-world setting. This allows you to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom while building valuable experience for your resume.

Jobs in social work: What you can do with your degree

A career in social work can empower people from all walks of life to make a difference, particularly in underserved communities. Explore some social work careers you qualify for based on your degree level.

Bachelor’s degree in social work jobs

Earning a bachelor's degree in social work can lead to entry-level roles in social services: 

• Case managers: Work with agencies and providers to coordinate care for clients.

• Child welfare specialists: Help protect children by investigating reports of abuse or neglect.

• Health educators: Create programs to educate communities on best health and wellness practices.

• Substance abuse or mental health counselors: Advise people coping with behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and substance abuse issues.

• Social and human service assistants: Work with social workers to aid vulnerable populations.

• Social and community service: Plan and coordinate programs to foster community well-being.

Master of Social Work jobs

If you want a career as a clinical social worker, an MSW from an accredited college or university may be beneficial. With a master’s degree, you can often work in a specialized niche, focusing on specific settings or populations. These are some career paths to consider: 

• Child and family services: Help youth and families cope with challenging circumstances.

• Medical social worker: Provide support to patients with chronic or terminal illnesses. 

• Mental health: Assist individuals with special mental, emotional, and behavioral needs.

• Substance abuse: Work with people as they recover from addiction.

• School: Promote best practices for academic success by counseling students and parents.

• Gerontology: Support the mental and physical needs of the aging and elderly population. 

• Criminal justice: Facilitate prison counseling programs and support parolees as they re-enter society.

• Military and veterans: Work with members of the armed forces and their families to cope with emotional and physical traumas.

How to choose a social work degree program

If you’ve decided to advance your education in social work, consider these factors as you look for a degree program to suit your goals:

• Accreditation: The Canadian Association for Social Work Education accredits all social work programs, including BSW and MSW. 

• Curriculum and specializations: While core classes will likely be similar from school to school, look for a program that offers electives or specializations in your areas of interest.

• Field education opportunities: Most degree programs require fieldwork, but opportunities will vary based on location and the types of organizations in the community. Choose programs with work experience opportunities that match your career goals.

• Licensure exam pass rate: The exam pass rate for graduates can indicate how well the program prepares students for sitting the licensure exam.

• Cost: Tuition is only part of the cost equation. Also, consider the cost of living or commuting and the availability of work opportunities.

On-campus vs. online social work degrees

When you're interested in studying social work, you have a range of options regarding how you learn. Both online and on-campus degrees exist in this field.

More traditional on-campus programs give you access to university facilities and amenities and more face-to-face interaction with professors and other social work students. Class schedules tend to be fixed, which might be a challenge for learners who are working, raising a family, or managing other commitments. 

Online programs come with numerous benefits, including greater flexibility. You can find self-paced programs so that you can learn on your schedule, which makes it easier to manage your other responsibilities. Since online degrees are often more affordable than in-person ones, you may save money on tuition and transportation. You won't have to relocate to attend a highly-ranked school. 

If you earn your social work degree online, you can complete your field experience requirements at an approved organization within your community. 

Begin your social work learning journey on Coursera

Social work can be a rewarding career that allows you to help individuals and your community. Learn more about social work with an introductory class, such as Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change, from the University of Michigan on Coursera. You'll also find courses in related areas, such as Imperial College London’s Foundations of Public Health Practice Specialization. Each program offers more flexibility so you can fit learning into your schedule rather than work around your education.

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