What Courses Do You Need to Become a Social Worker?

Social workers provide social services assistance to families, the underprivileged and others in a variety of settings. They work for state and local agencies, school systems, hospitals and mental health providers. A social work career requires at least a bachelor's degree, generally in social work or in a social science field. A greater range of opportunities exist for social workers with master's degrees.

Bachelor's Degree

For a bachelor's degree in social work, students take courses in social services, social work practice and human behavior. Other courses focus on child welfare, social work with the elderly and other areas.

Alternatives

Some universities do not offer a social work degree. A degree in sociology or psychology may qualify for entry-level social worker jobs.

Master's Degree

To receive a master's degree in social work, students take advanced courses in social policy and services, social work management, diagnostic assessment, social research and social work practice.

Field Requirements

Both undergraduate and graduate programs in social work have field education requirements, in which students complete a certain number of hours of supervised training in a social service agency.

Considerations

Increasingly, a master's degree has become the standard for most social work jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

References

• National Association of Social Workers
• Bureau of Labor Statistics - Social Work Outlook

Resources

• National Association of Social Workers