What Is an MSW Degree?
What does MSW stand for? MSW stands for Master of Social Work, and this graduate degree program trains students on ways of improving the quality of life of a community or a person they are assisting. They learn such things as crisis intervention and community organization which are key in improving the community or individual's quality of life.
MSW Degree Overview
What is an MSW degree? An MSW degree program typically takes two years to complete, though accelerated and part-time programs are also available. Students gain a background in social theory, in addition to studying public policy, social programs, and organizational structures. Most programs also engage students in clinical practice and research fieldwork, allowing them to acquire experience providing social services and critically examining a particular social issue or problem.
Concentrations Offered for an MSW
What does MSW mean in terms of the options that a student have within the program? As noted above, MSW full form in education is Master of Social Work, and a student pursuing this program would need to pursue a concentration so that they can narrow their education to a certain field of focus. Some of the concentrations are summarized in the table below:
| Concentration | Description | Career Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Social Work | Students learn to work in a clinical social work setting and learn a number of things related to mental health and mental disorders | Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
| Forensic Social Work | Specializes in the provision of social work services within the legal systems | Career as social workers in the court system, prisons, and other law and legal systems |
| Family Social Work | Specializes in family setups, especially where there are issues with divorce, separation, cases of abuse, mental illness, abuse, and others. | Private practicing social workers, social worker in rehabilitation centers, or facilities for eldercare among others. |
| Healthcare Social Work | Concentrates on behaviors, beliefs, and cultures surrounding health and illness and their impact on the lives of patients | Hospital social workers or social workers in clinics |
Practicum
Graduate programs in social work may also require one to go through supervised clinical experience. This is normally practicum, and most of the two-year on-campus MSW programs require a student to complete a practicum. The practicum is important because it also counts as professional experience for the student.
Admissions Requirements for MSW
The admission requirements for a Master of Social Worker vary in different institutions. However, any student seeking admission should hold a bachelor's degree. Different schools, however, may ask for a specific minimum undergraduate GPA, say 3.0 as is the case in most graduate schools. Others may also ask for some standardized test scores. The applicant's bachelor's degree does not have to be in social work.
Accreditation
When looking for a Master of Social Work program to enroll in, the student should ensure that both the MSW course or program and the school are accredited. The accreditation should be done by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE is the only agency with the mandate to do accreditation for these programs. Without accreditation, the MSW program would be irrelevant, and students cannot get jobs, transfer credits, or get financial aid.
Schools with MSW Programs
Some of the top schools offering a Master of Social Work degree are in the table below.
| School | Program Name | Tuition | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California, Log Angeles, CA | Online Master of Social Work | $1,975/Credit | 92% |
| University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL | Online Master of Social Work | $487/Credit | 73% |
| University of South Florida - Main Campus | Online Master of Social Work | $348/Credit | 73% |
| Boston University, Boston, MA | Online Master of Social Work | $875/Credit | 88% |
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus | Master of Social Work | $412/Credit | 46% |
MSW Degree Career Options
Wondering what to do with an MSW? You have a range of career options. Graduates with an MSW are trained to help people cope with and overcome problems in their lives. They are prepared for social work positions in local, state, or national government, as well as non-profit and private organizations. A master's degree is often required for supervisory positions within these organizations and is required to provide therapy, according to the National Association of Social Workers.
Social workers often provide counseling within a clinical specialty or to a specific community. Social workers may also work as administrators, researchers, policymakers, and planners. Administrators may oversee the daily activities of their organizations and participate in decision-making processes, while researchers work to advance the social work field through scientific studies. Policymakers and policy advocates work directly with the local and national government to set up publicly funded programs that address child abuse, poverty, homelessness, violence, mental health, and other issues. Planners may work to organize various events and outreaches for their organizations.
Curriculum
At the master's degree level, students are generally required to take courses that cover a range of social work topics, including social justice, social welfare policy, mental health practice, human behavior, and research technology. Most MSW programs offer a variety of concentrations in which students may focus, to better prepare them for the social work career they desire.
These may include a clinical specialty, such as child and family social services, mental health or substance abuse, as well as a practice method specialty, including community organization, public policy, social service administration, or interpersonal practice.
Social Worker Jobs
Wondering what to do with a MSW? Consider the following occupations.
- Child and family social workers
- School social workers
- Healthcare social workers
- Substance abuse counselors
- Mental health counselors
- Social service specialists
All these are careers for students with MSW, meaning that with one graduate degree program, one can pursue different career lines.
Salary and Employment Info
The salary of social workers by different categories can be summarized in the table below
| Occupation | Median Salary May 2019 |
|---|---|
| Social workers, all other | $61,230 |
| Child, family, and school social workers | $47,390 |
| Healthcare social workers | $56,750 |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers | $46,650 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS
An MSW degree program prepares students for careers as social workers, policymakers, administrators, and more. Degree programs typically offer an array of concentrations, such as child and family social services or community organizations, to allow students to prepare for their chosen careers.
