| An office or residential facility is the usual place where | | | | for?o Work in a chosen field of concentrationo A |
| social workers spend most of their time. They also | | | | continuation of developing skills required to perform |
| may travel locally to visit clients, meet with service | | | | clinical assessments, manage large caseloads, take on |
| providers or attend meetings. | | | | supervisory roles, and explore new ways of drawing |
| Social work can be challenging, yet very personally | | | | upon social services to meet the needs of clients. |
| rewarding. In some agencies, understaffing and large | | | | How long does a Master's degree program last?o 2 |
| caseloads add to the pressure. They usually work a | | | | yearso Includes a minimum of 900 hours of supervised |
| 40 hour week with occasional evening and weekend | | | | field instruction or internshipo A part-time program may |
| work to meet with clients, attend meetings or handle | | | | take 4 years |
| emergencies. There are also part time positions for | | | | What are entry requirements into a Master's degree |
| social workers. | | | | program?o It does not require a bachelor's degree in |
| Training and Education:o A bachelor's degree is the | | | | social work, but courses in psychology, biology, |
| minimum requirement for entry. Many positions require | | | | sociology, economics, political science, and social work |
| an advanced degree.o All states and the District of | | | | are recommended.o A second language can be |
| Columbia have some licensure, certification, or | | | | helpfulo Most master's programs offer advanced |
| registration requirement. Regulations vary.o Majors in | | | | standing for those with a bachelor's degree from an |
| psychology, sociology and related fields may qualify for | | | | accredited social work program. |
| some entry-level social work jobs. This is especially | | | | What about licensure?o All states and the District of |
| true in small community agencies.o A master's degree | | | | Columbia have licensing, certification, or registration |
| in social work is typically required for positions in health | | | | requirements. Requirements vary.o A growing number |
| settings and clinical work.o Some jobs in public and | | | | of states are placing greater emphasis on |
| private agencies may require a master's degree in | | | | communication skills, professional ethics, and sensitivity |
| social services.o Supervisory, administrative, and staff | | | | to cultural diversity issueso Most states require 2 |
| training positions usually require a master's degree.o | | | | years (3,000 hours) of supervised clinical experience |
| College and university teaching positions, and most | | | | for licensure of clinical social workers. |
| research assignments normally require a doctorate in | | | | Additional qualifications may include:o Emotional |
| social work (DSW or Ph.D.) | | | | maturityo Objectivenesso Sensitivity to people and |
| What kind of jobs will a bachelor's degree prepare you | | | | their problemso Must be able to handle responsibilityo |
| for?o Direct service positions such as caseworkero | | | | Must be able to work independentlyo Must be able to |
| Courses include social work values and ethics, dealing | | | | maintain good working relationships with clients and |
| with a culturally diverse clientele and at-risk populations, | | | | coworkers |
| promotions of social and economic justice, human | | | | If you would like to test yourself in the area of social |
| behavior and the social environment, social welfare | | | | work, volunteer or paid jobs as a social work aide is |
| policy and services, social work practice, social | | | | advisable. |
| research methods, and field education. | | | | Source: U.S. Department of Labor |
| What kind of jobs will a Master's degree prepare you | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. |