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School social worker education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a school social worker. School social workers usually study social work, psychology, or sociology. 51% of school social workers hold a master's degree, and 44% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 5,829 real school social worker resumes to see exactly what school social worker education sections show.
The most common colleges for school social workers are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online school social worker courses to help get the education required to be a school social worker.
There are certain school social worker certifications that you should consider. These school social worker certifications include Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW) and Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS).
What education do you need to become a school social worker?
What degree do you need to be a school social worker?
- Master's, 51%
- Bachelor's, 44%
- Associate, 3%
- Doctorate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a school social worker?
- Social Work, 61%
- Psychology, 12%
- Sociology, 5%
- Other Majors, 18%
Most common colleges for school social workers
| School social worker common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 11.29% |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 9.78% |
| Wayne State University | 9.03% |
| Fordham University | 7.96% |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 7.85% |
Best majors for school social workers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social Work | 61.0% |
| 2 | Psychology | 12.3% |
| 3 | Sociology | 4.8% |
| 4 | Mental Health Counseling | 3.5% |
| 5 | Criminal Justice | 1.9% |
Best colleges for school social workers
The best colleges for school social workers are Boston College, Boston University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A school social worker with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for school social workers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become school social workers.
1. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,464
Enrollment
9,639
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
3. SUNY at Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,011
Enrollment
13,434
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. SUNY College at Brockport
Brockport, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,412
Enrollment
7,015
6. Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$7,879
Enrollment
6,768
7. University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$15,887
Enrollment
23,202
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
9. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
10. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Enrollment
23,265
20 best online courses for school social workers
Advertising disclosure
1. Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners
In the U.S., social policy accounts for two-thirds of government spending. Knowing how policies are constructed, what values underlie them, and how they succeed or fail makes everyone more effective at work or in their civic role. This specialization includes an HONORS track in which learners will complete a professional social policy analysis.\n\nTeachers, health care workers, police, and social workers interact with policy daily, but all of us should care about the impact and effectiveness of...
2. The Influence of Social Determinants on Health
Why are some groups healthier than others, and how do these differences emerge and persist over a lifetime? How do social policies on housing, transportation, and employment relate to health and health inequalities?\n\nThis specialization will examine social, behavioral, economic, political, and structural factors that contribute to health inequalities, and suggest innovative ways to reduce disparities in health to achieve health equity.You will learn,\n\n-Use conceptual models to understand...
3. Conflict Resolution for Co-Workers
You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with your co-workers, manager or peers...
4. Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)
Informational content for educators and parents to learn about teaching and understanding exceptional children...
5. School Health for Children and Adolescents
Children and adolescents spend so much of their time in school regardless of where they live in the world. Health and learning are closely connected in the school setting, where good health and healthy practices create the optimal conditions for students’ academic success. And the contrary is also true: poor heath and unhealthy practices build tall barriers to student learning.\n\nThe courses of this specialization are designed to equip learners to manage common health conditions including...
6. Critical Issues in Urban Education
Urban school reform in the United States is characterized by contentious, politicized debate. This course explores a set of critical issues in the education and educational reform space, with a focus on aspects of the field that have sparked controversy and polarized views. We will dig into these debates, situating them within the larger history of public education and school reform, and considering the viewpoints, the evidence, and translation of issues into educational policy. We will...
7. Anger Management & Conflict Resolution Program - (4 hours)
How to manage anger and ensure it does not explode into rage. Enhance your life by building quality relationships...
8. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
9. Climate change education
This specialization offers tools and resources developed as part of the "Rise up" initiative by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to combat climate change and improve the sustainability of the planet. Through the three courses that make up this specialization, you will learn what we can do individually, as a school, and as a community to lead a more sustainable and healthier life. You'll also delve into the primary ethical and social issues related to climate change, how to use games to...
10. Strategies for Planned Social Change with Jagdish Sheth
Many social issues are within the realm of public policy and civil organizations (NGOS), but corporations can also enable and champion social change. The business of business is more than business. As more and more companies engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR), they need to understand the ultimate users’ perceptions and motivations. This course, taught by Professor Jagdish Sheth, 2020 Padma Bhushan Award winner for Literature and Education, includes examples such as environmental...
11. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
12. Seth Godin on learning and education
Build the future of community, culture and possibility...
13. Social Determinants of Health
This is an introductory course on social determinants of population health with a focus on the United States. The course will introduce you to, or reinforce your knowledge of, issues related to health that consider behavioral, psychological and structural factors in population health beyond the healthcare system. We will examine social, economic, and political factors that contribute to health inequalities and suggest innovative ways to reduce disparities in health when the goal is to achieve...
14. Health, Housing, and Educational Services
Course 5 discusses policies in four areas: housing, education, healthcare, and immigration, with an optional fifth module in child protection. This course addresses issues of power, oppression, and white supremacy. -First we’ll look at housing policy, with its contrasting supports for homeowners and renters. -Then we’ll interpret the structure that provides education and examine debates about its future. -The third module will differentiate the issues in the U.S. healthcare system and develop...
15. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
16. Conflict Resolution in Leadership and Talent Management
You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with your team members/reports...
17. Social Determinants of Health: Data to Action
This five course specialization explores dimensions of applied knowledge related to the social determinants of health. This specialization will utilize the Data-to-Action Hourglass Model to support thinking about multiple perspectives as a way to filter, frame, and focus data-driven action related to social determinants of health.\n\nCourse 1: Introduction to the Social Determinants of Health, provides an overview of definitions and theoretical perspectives that will form the foundation of this...
18. The Communication Skills and Social Intelligence Masterclass
An essential guide to cultivating influential people skills, communication skills and street-smart social intelligence...
19. Complete Guide to Conflict Management in the Workplace
Conflict management: learn conflict resolution skills & effective listening, communication & problem solving techniques...
20. Communication & Social Skills
Learn to become more confident and effective when speaking, listening, or writing...
Top 10 most affordable universities for school social workers
The most affordable schools for school social workers are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for school social workers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for school social workers.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
5. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
8. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
9. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
10. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for school social workers
The hardest universities for school social workers to get into are Boston College, Boston University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for school social workers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for school social workers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
5. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for school social workers
The easiest schools for school social workers to get into are Nyack College, kean university, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a school social worker without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for school social workers.
1. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
2. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
5. Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,059
6. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
7. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
8. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
9. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
10. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden
Camden, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,086
Average school social worker salary by education level
| School social worker education level | School social worker salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $64,291 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $53,248 |
School social worker education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025