What Type of Education Do You Need to Become a Social Worker?
Social workers help people improve their lives by successfully resolving problems and challenges. Problems might include disabilities, relationships, unemployment or lack of housing, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Social workers may eventually specialize in a type of assistance, including working with children, veterans or individuals diagnosed with mental illness. To become a social worker, expect to complete rigorous education requirements.
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High School
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Social workers must complete high school before continuing on to meet other education requirements. High school students who already know they'd like to become a social worker can take elective classes geared to that field, including psychology, sociology, statistics or human development. While not an education requirement, high school students may decide to augment studies by participating in volunteer opportunities related to helping people, such as serving food at a homeless shelter or talking with senior citizens at an assisted living facility.
College
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Most social workers must earn a bachelor's degree from a four-year institution before entering the field. Some social workers may earn an undergraduate degree in social work specifically, while others choose to major in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, health administration or child development. Types of social worker jobs available with a four-year college education include caseworker, mental health assistant or group home worker. Skills learned include interviewing clients, employing techniques to further social change and interacting in groups.
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Professional Training
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Jobs related to social work require professional licensure; to accomplish this, social workers must augment academic preparation with hands-on education and training. This may involve two years or 3,000 hours of supervised experience, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most social worker undergraduate degree programs incorporate this element or direct students toward approved internship opportunities.
Continuing Education
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While a bachelor's degree will help budding social workers land entry-level jobs, individuals who want to work in health care settings, in a clinical setting or for the government must earn a master's degree, according to the BLS. Social workers may also seek continuing education in topics including social services policy or administration. Individuals interested in completing research related to social work or teaching other social workers in a college setting may need to earn a Ph.D. Individuals working in an urban or multicultural setting may choose to become educated in a second or third language to better serve clients whose first language is not English.
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References
- Photo Credit Man depressed or sad image by Allen Penton from Fotolia.com
