The formal education of a social worker begins with a bachelor's degree in social work. This traditionally takes four years to complete. The program touches on courses that relate to human behavior, such as psychology and anthropology. It also includes interdisciplinary courses such as sociology, economics and political science. Theory and research are often the focus of the program.
The Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) maintains a list of accredited bachelor's programs for social work, where standards of excellence are checked and monitored regularly. CSWE is a non-profit group dedicated to ensuring social work programs meet accredditation standards.
Further education and training are required from a social worker when the scope of her job deals with therapy. A Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) is a usually a two-year program that prepares students for responsibilities such as the planning and implementation of interventions involving clients who have experienced trauma, hardship and abuse.
In the University of Michigan's Master of Social Work Program, for example, students are taught clinical social work skills as well as practice methods applicable to specialized cases. This is where the ability to handle interventions using approved methods is also improved.
Earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social Work qualifies an individual for leadership roles. Students earning the Ph.D. degree become professors and trainers in the academic field or head important research and development projects internationally as analysts. Fordham University's Doctorate Program, for example, involves dissertations and oral and written examinations that prepare Ph.D. candidates to become credible educators of other aspiring social workers.