Online Masters Degree Social Work Programs

Who should earn an online masters degree in social work or MSW degree?

Social work isn't so much a career as it is a calling for people who have a strong desire to help improve lives. Social workers help other people cope with a wide range of issues, from relationships to family problems, disability and health issues, social problems, unemployment, substance abuse or domestic conflicts.

Social workers typically work with at-risk populations, and often specialize in a specific area. A Child and Family Services social worker, for example, specializes in child welfare and family services. Medical or public health social workers help individuals or families who suffer from medical and health-related issues. Mental health and substance abuse social workers help people treat and overcome their conditions, and return to a high quality of life.

Accredited Colleges offering Masters Online Social Work Degrees

Capella University

Online Masters Degree in Social Work and Human Services Programs

MS - General Human Services
MS - Marriage and Family Therapy
MS - Mental Health Counseling
MS - School Counseling
MS - Social and Community Services
MS - Addiction Counseling
MS - General Career Counseling
MS - Studies in Human Behavior

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Who is an online MSW degree program best suited for?

Most of the people who pursue online masters degree social work programs are individuals who have personal reasons for wanting to help with these issues. Many social workers have a personal or family history with related problems and choose to channel that history into helping others. Social work is a career that doesn't pay as well, so people who pursue online social work degrees are people who job fulfillment matters more than income.

Online Graduate Degree in Social Work Pre-requisite

For those who want to pursue an online masters degree social work, two learning tracks exists; a learning track for students who have earned a bachelor's degree in social work, and a learning track for students who have a bachelor in a related specialization. If you already possess a recent bachelor's degree in social work, some online colleges offer a one-year accelerated program to complete your master's degree in social work. However, most of these schools require the bachelor degree to have been earned within the previous five years.

Students who have a bachelor degree in another discipline typically may pursue a two-year master's online degree in social work program track to earn their social work degree. The first year consists of foundation courses that would be covered in a bachelor of social work program, and are required prerequisites for a master-level program. The second year is the same curriculum as the one-year program for students who have recently completed the bachelor in social work. Online master's degree programs in social work do vary, though, so consult the documentation for the school you're considering to determine the requirements for online graduate degree in social work.

Online Masters Degree Social Work Curriculum and Licensure

All states require social workers to be registered, certified or licensed, depending on state requirements. An online graduate degree in social work covers the coursework designed to prepare students for licensure. Students must then complete state licensure examinations and meet all state-established criteria in order to become licensed practicing social workers.

The curriculum for a masters distance learning social work degree may include courses in: social welfare policy and services, human behavior and social environment, social work intervention in drug addiction and abuse, diagnostic assessment, and social work intervention in child abuse and neglect. These courses are designed to give students the education and background they need to begin field studies, which may include working directly with individuals and families in the field.

Career Options and Salaries with a Graduate Degree in Social Work

Students who earn a campus or an online masters degree in social work (Master's in Social Work MSW degree) typically pursue one of two career paths: policy, planning and administration, or clinical practice.

Online masters degree social work graduates who choose policy, planning and administration typically work for the government or social service organizations to help create, implement and administer programs. A graduate might go on to become a welfare worker or a child and family services employee. According to 2008 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers for local government earn $46,650, while individual and family services employees earn $34,450.

Students who graduate with an online graduate degree in social work and choose to go into a clinical setting may work for medical and surgical hospitals, home health care services, nursing care facilities or outpatient care centers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the salaries for these positions range from $36,660 to $51,470.