Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Social work supervisor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a social work supervisor. Social work supervisors usually study social work, psychology, or sociology. 48% of social work supervisors hold a master's degree, and 46% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 2,349 real social work supervisor resumes to see exactly what social work supervisor education sections show.
The most common colleges for social work supervisors are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online social work supervisor courses to help get the education required to be a social work supervisor.
There are certain social work supervisor certifications that you should consider. These social work supervisor certifications include Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW) and Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW).
What education do you need to become a social work supervisor?
What degree do you need to be a social work supervisor?
- Master's, 48%
- Bachelor's, 46%
- Associate, 3%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a social work supervisor?
- Social Work, 54%
- Psychology, 14%
- Sociology, 5%
- Other Majors, 23%
Most common colleges for social work supervisors
| Social work supervisor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 14.04% |
| Adelphi University | 11.62% |
| Fordham University | 9.44% |
| Yeshiva University | 6.05% |
| Temple University | 5.81% |
Best majors for social work supervisors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social Work | 53.9% |
| 2 | Psychology | 14.4% |
| 3 | Sociology | 5.0% |
| 4 | Mental Health Counseling | 3.7% |
| 5 | Business | 2.6% |
Best colleges for social work supervisors
The best colleges for social work supervisors are Boston University, SUNY at Binghamton, and Syracuse University.
A social work supervisor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for social work supervisors. 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 social work supervisors.
1. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Enrollment
34,637
2. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
3. California State University - San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,922
Enrollment
17,704
4. SUNY College at Brockport
Brockport, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,412
Enrollment
7,015
5. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,853
Enrollment
14,759
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Enrollment
13,871
7. Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$26,630
Enrollment
2,647
8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
Aguadilla, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Enrollment
3,622
9. Washington State University
Pullman, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,584
Enrollment
25,675
10. University of North Texas
Denton, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,852
Enrollment
31,375
20 best online courses for social work supervisors
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. 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...
3. The Communication Skills and Social Intelligence Masterclass
An essential guide to cultivating influential people skills, communication skills and street-smart social intelligence...
4. Communication & Social Skills
Learn to become more confident and effective when speaking, listening, or writing...
5. The Critical Role of IT Support Staff in Healthcare
This is a very exciting time to be exploring a career in Health IT Support! In this introductory course, you’ll learn about various roles in IT support that are common in healthcare. IT support staff play critical roles in many different healthcare venues. In addition to helping clinics, hospitals, and emergency rooms, you may end up providing support in a skilled nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, virtual care setting, or even a patient’s home! On any given day, you may interact...
6. 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...
7. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
8. Social Media for Healthcare Providers
Social media and HIPPA compliance training for covered entities that transmit health information...
9. Social Computing
People are social creatures and the modern Internet reflects that. Technology has made collaboration at a distance possible in new ways that present their own set of challenges. This course will introduce you to the major challenges and opportunities for creating online communities. What does the future hold? Learn how social computing can create collaboration experiences that go beyond what’s possible face to face...
10. 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...
11. Social Media Crisis Prevention
Get practical skills to protect your reputation and your organization against a social media meltdown...
12. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
13. Social Media Monitoring
Our new course on Social Media Monitoring in a post Google Reader World is coming soon...
14. Develop Amazing Social Skills & Connect With People
Develop Amazing Social Skills, Social Confidence, Communication Skills, Self Esteem, Charisma, Self confidence...
15. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
16. Supervisor Leadership Skills for a Safe Workplace
Learn safety communication skills to foster safety accountability, responsibility and correct safety behaviours...
17. Learn Social Psychology
Understand How People Think, Feel, and Behave in this Complete Introduction to Social Psychology...
18. Social Media Ethics
Just because you can tweet it, doesn't mean you should. Learn to do the right thing on social media...
19. Double Your Social Skills and Instantly Connect With People
Develop Powerful Social Skills: Social Success Secrets. Inner & Social Confidence. Communication Skills. Networking...
20. Social Media Monitoring and Privacy Law
Learn to monitor social networks without violating privacy rights in this course on lawful social media surveillance...
Top 10 most affordable universities for social work supervisors
The most affordable schools for social work supervisors are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - fullerton, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for social work supervisors 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 social work supervisors.
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 - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. California State University - San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,922
Cost of attendance
18,522
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
10. Southern University at New Orleans
New Orleans, LA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,033
Cost of attendance
12,702
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for social work supervisors
The hardest universities for social work supervisors to get into are Boston University, SUNY at Binghamton, and Syracuse University.
Some great schools for social work supervisors 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 social work supervisors 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 University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
2. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
3. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY • Private
Admissions rate
50%
SAT average
1,284
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Baylor University
Waco, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,307
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
7. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
1,365
8. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,367
9. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
10. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for social work supervisors
The easiest schools for social work supervisors to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, university of north texas at dallas, and ottawa university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a social work supervisor 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 social work supervisors.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
3. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
4. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
5. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
6. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
7. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
8. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
9. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
10. Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,026
Average social work supervisor salary by education level
| Social work supervisor education level | Social work supervisor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $73,342 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $60,953 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $67,798 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $61,308 |
Social work supervisor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.
Search for social work supervisor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025