The Value of a Master’s Degree in Social Work
| 4 Min Read
For committed social workers, this career is a calling. These professionals have a deep-seated passion for enriching communities and the lives of individuals by creating purposeful, positive changes. The field is experiencing rapid growth — 7 percent between 2023 and 20331 — and in some specialties, even more than that. So, if you’re successfully and happily employed with your BS in Social Work, you may wonder about the benefits of attaining an MSW degree.
Advantages of a Master’s Degree in Social Work
An MSW degree demands personal resources many social workers already feel short on: time and money. However, the knowledge gained through obtaining a master’s degree gives social workers a broader understanding of complex issues and how to treat them more effectively, plus greater flexibility in their careers through a variety of challenging roles and fields that are growing at a rapid rate, and with compensation that is above the industry average.
Broader Career Options
Some sectors require an MSW degree no matter the role you fill, and specific social work careers are only open to those with that credential. The healthcare field, which is projected to add an average of 1.9 million jobs each year from 2023 to 2033,2 includes medical, geriatric, and hospice and palliative care careers. In many cases, employers expect social work candidates to have an MSW degree to fill available positions.
Many management roles, such as those of a supervisor, program manager, or administrator, can be filled by professionals with an MSW degree. The need for management positions in every field is growing — an average of 1.2 million openings are projected each year from 2023 to 2033.3
Clinical social workers have the gold standard of licensure, the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential, which cannot be obtained without having an MSW degree. Those with their LCSW are able to open a private practice, work in clinical settings, and accept third-party payments.
Greater Knowledge of Social Issues
A Master of Social Work degree can offer a deeper understanding of mental health challenges and provide an area-specific focus that gives you the knowledge and skills you need to better assist clients and tackle more complex issues. For instance, the online, trauma-focused MSW program at Widener University emphasizes the root causes of individual, family, group, and community issues. With trauma as one of the leading factors in social-emotional mental health challenges — including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse — a trauma-focused degree helps you excel in treating clients with specific concerns or a combination of challenges. A detailed understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship trauma has on individuals and families can give you the information you need to reach those with multifaceted challenges and prepare you to work across many fields.
Degrees that offer a specific specialty, such as a hybrid dual master’s in social work and education with a focus on human sexuality (H/MSW/Med), cultivate an expert status to work within a specific field or help a specific client population. Specializing in a focus area also allows you to further your career by providing consulting services or working within human resources.
Higher Salary
While the financial payoffs may not seem as immediate as in some fields, a master’s degree in social work typically results in higher pay. A survey by the National Association of Social Work Workforce Center showed that the difference in various social work fields between those with bachelor’s degrees and those with master’s degrees can be as much as $15,000 annually.4
Improve Your Outlook
A master’s degree in social work is your ticket to working in the rapidly advancing field of human services, attaining challenging positions that require the degree, and earning a higher salary. The cost-to-financial benefit ratio can be improved by attending an accredited online MSW program, such as that at Widener University, which also eliminates the need for travel time and maximizes your ability to learn on your own schedule.
Learn More Now
To learn more about Widener University’s trauma-focused Online Master of Social Work (MSW) program, or the hybrid dual master’s in social work and education focused on human sexuality, call 844-386-7321 or request more information to have a program manager contact you right away.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Social Workers.” Accessed September 4, 2024, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Healthcare Occupations.” Accessed September 4, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Management Occupations.” Accessed September 4, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/home.htm.
- SocialWorkLicenseMap.com, “What Jobs Are Available with an MSW Degree?” Accessed on September 5, 2016, https://socialworklicensemap.com/msw-jobs/.