As you explore career tracks related to social work or other high-impact helping professions, you’ll likely discover that many of these careers require specific degrees—social work is no exception.¹

But is a social work degree worth it? Will you get a return on your investment and, more importantly, learn valuable skills to help you succeed in the field during a degree program? And what about advanced degrees—is a master’s in social work worth it?

We are here to explore these topics in detail. We will break down the benefits and challenges of getting a social work degree and explore alternatives for future social workers looking for a different option. If you are not sure which path to take on your road to a helping profession, this is the guide for you.

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Benefits of Earning a Social Work Degree 

Whether you pursue a bachelor of social work (BSW) or a master of social work (MSW), there are numerous advantages to choosing a traditional degree track.

Making a Difference in Society 

Social workers have the opportunity to:

• Impact entire communities
• Help individuals improve their quality of life
• Advocate for families
• Contribute to social justice initiatives
• Improve mental health on an individual and community level
• Support overall well-being for clients and patients

Keep in mind that this is a non-exhaustive, highly general list of ways that social workers make an impact on the world. Through their work in public institutions (like Departments of Children and Families and public health groups), non-profit organizations, private social work practices, and other contexts, social workers improve people’s lives—it is just that simple.

To gain the qualifications necessary to make such an impact, many social workers pursue a degree—either a BSW, an MSW degree, or both. If you’re trying to decide between a BSW vs. MSW, keep in mind that both offer unique benefits depending on your long-term career goals. These social work degree programs train prospective social workers to:

• Access, understand, and leverage resources for clients
• Work while acknowledging social issues like prejudice and privilege
• Connect with clients on a deep level
• Use clinical approaches to help clients achieve their goals (when applicable)

This is just the tip of the iceberg; in short, social work degree programs prepare the social workers of tomorrow to make the biggest possible impact on their clients and communities.

Broad Range of Career Opportunities 

What can you do with a bachelor’s in social work? BSW graduates often pursue careers related to:²

• Public health and education
• Housing placement
• Social work support
• Program development
• Case management
• Child welfare
• Substance abuse counseling and recovery
• Behavioral and mental health
• Elder care, advocacy, and support

But what can you do with a master’s in social work? MSW graduates often work in the same fields as BSW grads, but they can pursue higher-level positions as:

• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) – LCSWs are licensed professionals who can provide clinical care to patients and communities in need.
• Social work leaders – Program director, social work manager, and clinical supervisor positions are typically best suited to a social worker with an advanced degree, ample workforce experience, or both.
• Social work educators – With an MSW and field expertise, many social workers make an impact by educating the next generation of professionals.

Skills Development 

During social work education programs, prospective professionals learn critical skills like:

• Empathy – Social work is all about connecting with clients and patients, listening to their needs, and helping them reach their goals. By building empathy and related skills (like active listening), social workers prepare for a career path centered around helping others.
• Communication – Social workers are constantly communicating: advising patients and clients, documenting their work, and seeking advice and review from managers and supervisors. Degree programs help prospective social workers develop these critical communication skills.
• Critical thinking – As a social worker, you will need to answer difficult questions every day. “How can I help this patient overcome personal struggles?” “What kind of career path would be best for this client?” “Which resources can I use to help this patient meet their needs?” Answers to these questions require critical thinking: the ability to analyze information and make decisions.³
• Problem-solving – Social work is all about solving problems that keep patients and clients from living their best lives: housing challenges, medical and mental health issues, poverty, job loss, and other difficulties. So, degree programs teach prospective social workers how to approach and solve these challenges to help patients prosper.

Challenges of Earning a Social Work Degree 

Of course, no degree program is without its challenges—that includes BSW and MSW degrees.

Social work students must learn to manage:

• Emotionally challenging situations – Social work students (and social workers themselves) encounter clients and patients facing intense challenges; these are often emotionally charged, and professionals must help navigate these emotional challenges.
• Burnout and stress – People working in helping professions often face burnout: a loss of energy that can occur without proper time management, self-care, and resilience. Burnout can also lead to stress—especially in a degree program, which can be fast-paced and require a heavy workload.
• Academic demands – Advanced degree programs like the MSW are especially academically demanding. A social work student must devote themselves to reading, research, writing, fieldwork, and other curriculum requirements to reach their goals.

If you’re asking questions like, do you need a master's to be a social worker, know that while a master’s is not required for all roles, it opens the door to clinical licensure and leadership positions.

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Personal Fulfillment and Career Impact 

Despite its challenges, earning a social work degree can be the first step to achieving long-term personal and professional satisfaction.

Social work appeals to people who want to make a meaningful impact on the world and help vulnerable populations: This is a unique feature of helping professions. Whether you are working as a counselor in a clinical setting, helping unhoused people find stable housing, or supervising other social workers, you are sure to unlock both personal and professional fulfillment in this career.

In addition, social workers have many opportunities to:

• Progress in their field – Either through advanced education, field experience, or both, social workers have countless chances to pursue more advanced career options—as supervisors and managers, for instance.  
• Develop a specialty – As they explore the field, support patients and clients, and learn more about the resources available to people in need, social workers often find a niche: a specific career element they’re passionate about. Whether you are interested in LGBTQ+ mental health or tackling food insecurity in rural communities, there is a niche for you in the social work profession.

Does a Social Work Degree Meet Your Goals? 

Before committing to a degree program, assess your own aspirations and personality traits—is a degree in social work worth it for you?

The answer will depend on your:

• Career goals – Social workers often encounter a new set of challenges, patients, and circumstances every day. This ever-changing landscape can be intriguing for many, but some people may prefer careers with more consistency.
• Values – Social work demands an understanding of societal challenges (like prejudice) that impact marginalized people. Not everyone’s values align with the social work philosophy that everyone deserves a chance to live up to their full potential.
• Passions – While you may be knowledgeable about the resources available to people who are struggling, you may be passionate about something else entirely. Building a career in any field is all about balancing your talents with your interests.

Alternatives to a Social Work Degree 

What about alternatives to getting a degree? There are ways to pursue a helping profession without committing to a full social work program. Let us explore some alternatives to a traditional BSW or MSW degree track.

Related Careers 

If you are interested in a helping profession but social work does not feel like a good match, consider other related careers in:

• Mental health counseling
• Clinical psychiatry or psychology
• Community outreach
• Healthcare
• Education
• Youth outreach
• Advocacy and policymaking

These careers can provide similar fulfillment, but many of these fields also require educational commitments. However, if a college or university path simply isn’t right for you, consider reaching out to an employer in one of the fields above and learning more about job opportunities for people without formal, advanced education.

Certification Programs and Shorter Courses 

Of course, prospective helping professionals can also pursue shorter, more niche educational options that may better align with their goals. Some examples include:⁴

• Community Health Worker (CHW) – A certification offered by some states for prospective community health professionals⁵
• Emergency medical technician – An umbrella of certifications designed for first responders and emergency medical professionals

Certifications and careers like these offer distinct advantages for people interested in helping professions:

• Earning potential and savings – If paying for college simply isn’t an option right now, starting with a more affordable certification program is one way to enter the workforce, get career experience, and save for future educational pursuits.
• Career growth – While some careers simply aren’t attainable without a college education, this isn’t the case for every career—especially in helping professions. People looking to help others without the time and financial commitments of a college education do have options for fulfilling, profitable, and sustainable careers.

Shape Your Future at Alliant 

While there are options aside from pursuing a bachelor’s or a master’s in social work, these degree tracks are right for countless future helping professionals. If you’re interested in the social work field, a degree program could be the perfect first step to career and personal fulfillment.

Not sure how to get a master’s in social work? Learn more about this degree track at Alliant International University. Our Master of Social Work program is flexible (offering part-time and full-time tracks), available in an online format, and tailored to train social workers for the modern workforce and social landscape. If you want to start your journey to social work on the right foot, this is the perfect program for you.

Learn more and apply online now.

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Sources: 

1. “How to Become a Social Worker: A Quick Guide.” Social Work Guide. 2023. https://www.socialworkguide.org/. Accessed December 12, 2024. 
2. “28 Jobs You Can Get with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.” Indeed. October 8, 2024. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/degree-in-social-wor…. Accessed December 12, 2024. 
3. Martins, Julia. “How to Develop Critical Thinking Skills in 7 Steps with Examples [2024].” Asana. August 30, 2024. https://asana.com/resources/critical-thinking-skills. Accessed December 12, 2024. 
4. “6-Month Certificate Programs: 10 That Lead to High-Paying Jobs.” Indeed. April 18, 2024. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/6-month-certificate-…. Accessed December 12, 2024. 
5. Ambardekar, Nayana. “What Is a Community Health Worker?” WebMD. July 9, 2023. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-community-health-worker. Accessed December 12, 2024.