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This question is about social worker education.
What degree do you need to be a social worker?
You need a bachelor's degree to be a social worker. That is the minimum required in most states. Many employers, however, often prefer social workers who hold master's degrees. To work as a clinical social worker, you must hold a master's degree.
No one can become a social worker without completing a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Many students opt to attend programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) because it guarantees the curriculum meets certain academic standards. Many employers and graduate schools also prefer graduates from CSWE-accredited programs.
A CSWE program, compared to a traditional bachelor's degree in social work, prepares graduates for jobs as mental health assistants, rehabilitation caseworkers, family service workers, and caseworkers. It teaches students about legal and ethical standards in social work, case management, human behavior theory, psychology, and sociology.
A prospective social worker's path depends on their career goals. Some specialties require a license and an advanced degree. School social workers, for instance, in some states need a master's degree in social work, a license, and certification from the National Association of Social Workers.
Having a master's degree in social work means that you have the knowledge and educational credentials to work in clinical settings. In these master's programs, graduate students obtain a research-informed education to prepare them for the licensing exams.
A master's program allows you to hone your expertise in areas such as child development, public health, clinical, or geriatric. Direct practice working with individuals and groups is a key component of many master's in social work programs. Residencies teach students about diversity and racism, health care policy, epidemiology, and biostatistics for public health.
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