You Want To Become A Social Worker?

u are trying to find out whether a career in social(MSW) is usually necessary to get a job in the
work is suitable for you, this article may help withhealthcare industry. Supervisory positions also
your decision. It will describe the nature of themay require an advanced degree, such as a
job, working conditions, the training required, themaster’s degree in administration or social
employment market, and expected earnings. Jobsservices policy. College and university teachers
in service industries are growing faster than theand most researchers normally have a doctorate
national average, and social work is no exception.in social work (DSW or Ph.D.).
Social work is a profession best suited for peopleAccreditation of educational programs in social
with a strong desire to help improve the lives ofwork is overseen by the Council on Social Work
others. Social workers people function as well asEducation (CSWE). They have approved 442
possible in their environment, deal with theirBSW programs and 168 MSW programs. The
relationships, and counsel them about personal andGroup for the Advancement of Doctoral
family problems. Social workers deal with clientsEducation (GADE) also lists 80 doctoral programs
facing severe illness or social problems such asin social work (DSW or Ph.D.). BSW programs
unemployment, poor housing, disabilities, orprepare graduates for direct service positions,
substance abuse. Social workers also aid familiessuch as caseworker, and require a minimum of
with domestic conflicts, sometimes involving400 hours of supervised field experience.
spousal or child abuse.Master’s degree programs teach students
Social workers sometimes provide services into perform clinical assessments, manage large
healthcare-related settings run by HMOs. Tocaseloads, perform supervisory roles, and match
contain costs, these organizations are emphasizingsocial resources with the needs of clients. These
lifestyle changes and self-care in order to preventprograms last 2 years and include a minimum of
expensive illnesses. Early intervention and900 hours of supervised field instruction, or
community-based care is being stressed overinternship. The program can be completed on a
in-hospital care.part-time basis in 4 years. It is not necessary to
Most social workers specialize in some area ofhave a bachelor’s degree in social work in
public health. Some are involved in planning ororder to be admitted to the master's program,
policy development. Others deal with children,but courses in such fields as psychology,
families and school programs. Medical and publicsociology, economics and political science are
health social workers provide patients and theirhelpful.
families support needed to cope with a variety ofEach State has its own certification requirements
illnesses, such as AIDS, Alzheimer's disease,regarding social work practice and the use of
cancer, and diabetes. They may work forprofessional titles. Most States currently require
hospitals, nursing homes, individual and familyapplicants to have two years (3,000 hours) of
services agencies, or local governments. Mentalsupervised clinical experience. Also, the National
health and substance abuse social workers, alsoAssociation of Social Workers (NASW) offers
known as clinical social workers, assess and treatcredentials. Social workers with an MSW may
individuals with psychiatric illness or substanceapply to be eligible for the Academy of Certified
abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol,Social Workers (ACSW), the Qualified Clinical Social
tobacco, or other drugs. They provide servicesWorker (QCSW), or the Diplomate in Clinical Social
such as individual and group therapy, communityWork (DCSW) credential.
outreach programs, crisis intervention, socialIn 2004, social work accounted for 562,000 jobs
rehabilitation, and training in life skills.in America. Competition for work is highest in
Full-time social workers usually keep regular officelarge centers, but opportunities are good in rural
hours, though some occasionally work eveningsareas. Prospects are best for social workers
and weekends to meet with clients, attendspecializing in gerontology and substance abuse,
community meetings, or deal with emergencies.two rapidly-growing fields. The median income for
Some, especially in voluntary nonprofit agencies,social workers is approximately $35,000, with a
work part time. Social workers usually spendrange of less than $23,000 to more than $58,000
most of their time in an office, but also may visitdepending on experience and qualifications.
clients at home, meet with service providers, orSocial workers should be emotionally mature
attend meetings.people with good interpersonal skills. Prospective
In order to become a social worker, the minimumsocial workers are advised to do volunteer work
educational requirement is usually ato test their interest and tolerance for this field of
bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW).employment before entering into a lengthy training
However, majors in fields such as sociology,program. The work, while personally satisfying,
psychology, and similar fields may qualify ancan be very emotionally draining due to the
applicant for some entry-level jobs, especially inconstant barrage of clients' problems. In addition,
smaller community agencies. For social worksocial work agencies often suffer from
subspecialties, an advanced degree is usuallyunderstaffing and large caseloads.
required. A master’s degree in social work