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How many years of school do I need to be a social worker? What courses can help me get started in high school?
I am a sophomore in high school and plan to take dual enrollment classes at local colleges. #social-worker #student #high-school #college
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Sheila’s Answer
Hi Shaunessy:
Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Clinical social workers also diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues.
COURSES
• Sociology
• Science
• Math
• Child Development
• Political Science
• Social Studies
• Foreign Language
EDUCATION
Although some social workers only need a bachelor’s degree in social work, clinical social workers must have a master’s degree and 2 years of experience in a supervised clinical setting after they’ve completed their degree. Clinical social workers must also be licensed by their state.
There are multiple educational pathways to becoming a social worker, depending on the specialty.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) is the most common requirement for entry-level administrative positions. However, some employers may hire workers who have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as psychology or sociology.
A BSW prepares students for direct-service positions such as caseworker or mental health assistant. These programs teach students about diverse populations, human behavior, social welfare policy, and ethics in social work. All programs require students to complete supervised fieldwork or an internship.
Clinical positions require a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), which generally takes 2 years to complete. MSW programs prepare students for work in their chosen specialty by developing clinical assessment and management skills. All programs require students to complete a supervised practicum or an internship.
A bachelor’s degree in social work is not required in order to enter a master’s degree program in social work. Although a bachelor’s degree in almost any major is acceptable, courses in psychology, sociology, economics, and political science are recommended. Some programs allow graduates with a bachelor’s degree in social work to earn their master’s degree in 1 year.
TYPES OF SOCIAL WORKERS
The following are examples of types of social workers:
■ CHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORKERS protect vulnerable children and help families in need of assistance. They help families find housing or services, such as childcare, or apply for benefits, such as food stamps. They intervene when children are in danger of neglect or abuse. Some help arrange adoptions, locate foster families, or work to reunite families.
■ SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS work with teachers, parents, and school administrators to develop plans and strategies to improve students’ academic performance and social development. Students and their families are often referred to social workers to deal with problems such as aggressive behavior, bullying, or frequent absences from school.
■ HEALTHCARE SOCIAL WORKERS help patients understand their diagnosis and make the necessary adjustments to their lifestyle, housing, or healthcare. For example, they may help people make the transition from the hospital back to their homes and communities. In addition, they may provide information on services, such as home healthcare or support groups, to help patients manage their illness or disease. Social workers help doctors and other healthcare professionals understand the effects that diseases and illnesses have on patients’ mental and emotional health. Some healthcare social workers specialize in geriatric social work, hospice and palliative care, or medical social work.
■ MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE SOCIAL WORKERS help clients with mental illnesses or addictions. They provide information on services, such as support groups and 12-step programs, to help clients cope with their illness. Many clinical social workers function in these roles as well.
I hope this was helpful. Best of luck to you!
How to Become a Social Worker • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-4
Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Clinical social workers also diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues.
COURSES
• Sociology
• Science
• Math
• Child Development
• Political Science
• Social Studies
• Foreign Language
EDUCATION
Although some social workers only need a bachelor’s degree in social work, clinical social workers must have a master’s degree and 2 years of experience in a supervised clinical setting after they’ve completed their degree. Clinical social workers must also be licensed by their state.
There are multiple educational pathways to becoming a social worker, depending on the specialty.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) is the most common requirement for entry-level administrative positions. However, some employers may hire workers who have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as psychology or sociology.
A BSW prepares students for direct-service positions such as caseworker or mental health assistant. These programs teach students about diverse populations, human behavior, social welfare policy, and ethics in social work. All programs require students to complete supervised fieldwork or an internship.
Clinical positions require a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), which generally takes 2 years to complete. MSW programs prepare students for work in their chosen specialty by developing clinical assessment and management skills. All programs require students to complete a supervised practicum or an internship.
A bachelor’s degree in social work is not required in order to enter a master’s degree program in social work. Although a bachelor’s degree in almost any major is acceptable, courses in psychology, sociology, economics, and political science are recommended. Some programs allow graduates with a bachelor’s degree in social work to earn their master’s degree in 1 year.
TYPES OF SOCIAL WORKERS
The following are examples of types of social workers:
■ CHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORKERS protect vulnerable children and help families in need of assistance. They help families find housing or services, such as childcare, or apply for benefits, such as food stamps. They intervene when children are in danger of neglect or abuse. Some help arrange adoptions, locate foster families, or work to reunite families.
■ SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS work with teachers, parents, and school administrators to develop plans and strategies to improve students’ academic performance and social development. Students and their families are often referred to social workers to deal with problems such as aggressive behavior, bullying, or frequent absences from school.
■ HEALTHCARE SOCIAL WORKERS help patients understand their diagnosis and make the necessary adjustments to their lifestyle, housing, or healthcare. For example, they may help people make the transition from the hospital back to their homes and communities. In addition, they may provide information on services, such as home healthcare or support groups, to help patients manage their illness or disease. Social workers help doctors and other healthcare professionals understand the effects that diseases and illnesses have on patients’ mental and emotional health. Some healthcare social workers specialize in geriatric social work, hospice and palliative care, or medical social work.
■ MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE SOCIAL WORKERS help clients with mental illnesses or addictions. They provide information on services, such as support groups and 12-step programs, to help clients cope with their illness. Many clinical social workers function in these roles as well.
I hope this was helpful. Best of luck to you!
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Cherie’s Answer
I have been a professional social worker for 23 years in a pediatric hospital setting. In order to become a licensed social worker you need a master's degree from a university school of social work. That's 4 years of college for a bachelor's degree plus two years for a master's degree. Your undergraduate degree does not have to be in social work but it is to your advantage if it is or a related field like psychology or sociology.
If you are serious and want more advice contact a social worker as ask for a 15 minute interview about their career.
Cherie recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Melody’s Answer
Hello Shaunessy,
Typically, a 4 year college degree in the subjects Sheila listed below is a start. Michael mentioned a possible civil service exam. This depends on where you hope to live and work. In your current state of Michigan, there is an application process and additional information about requirements for being a social worker in the state of Michigan. https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600_72603_27529_27554---,00.html. Check out this website.
My suggestion is that you seek to contact a Social Work organization and speak with a social worker about their training and job requirements. Perhaps, your school guidance counselor can help you get connected to someone. Perhaps there is a social worker linked to your school, ask and see. This would be a person to ask more questions about social work and what you would need to get into this line of work.
Typically, a 4 year college degree in the subjects Sheila listed below is a start. Michael mentioned a possible civil service exam. This depends on where you hope to live and work. In your current state of Michigan, there is an application process and additional information about requirements for being a social worker in the state of Michigan. https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600_72603_27529_27554---,00.html. Check out this website.
My suggestion is that you seek to contact a Social Work organization and speak with a social worker about their training and job requirements. Perhaps, your school guidance counselor can help you get connected to someone. Perhaps there is a social worker linked to your school, ask and see. This would be a person to ask more questions about social work and what you would need to get into this line of work.