If you wish to enter into the field of social work, two degrees are helpful. The first is a bachelor's degree in social work, or BSW. In getting your BSW, you will need to major in a field related to social work, such as education, psychology or sociology, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS states that a bachelor's degree can help you gain entry level jobs in social work, such as a caseworker, a group home assistant or a residential counselor. An MSW is necessary, however, for more advanced areas of social work.
The next degree that a social worker needs is a master's degree, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics states it must be a master's degree in social work, or MSW. This degree is considered necessary if you wish to specialize in health or education. An MSW is also required for clinical or laboratory work, or if you decide you want to focus on supervising or training staff, or acting in an administrative or directorial capacity.
Advanced degrees are needed for research appointments in clinical work or to teach social work courses at a college or university. These areas require you to have a doctorate in social work (DSW) or to have completed a Ph.D in a related social services field, such as psychology, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), there are some 468 accredited BSW programs in the United States. To be fully accredited, a BSW program must include four years of specialized studies, including course work in social welfare policy, human behavior, social work values, history, cultural diversity, ethics and working with at-risk clients. According to the BLS, a BSW program also mandates a minimum of at least 400 hours of supervised field experience, as well as a course of study.
According to CSWE, there are some 196 accredited programs offering an MSW degree. An MSW program usually lasts two years, according to the BLS, and requires specialized studies in the social services field that you wish to work in. At least 900 hours of supervised instruction in the field and/or an internship are required for a degree. Some MSW candidates fulfill their degree requirements part-time, which means the program takes four years instead of two. Fluency in a second language is helpful in completing an MSW degree program, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, other licensing requirements to do social work are regulated on a state-by-state basis. The information may be obtained from individual state licensing authorities. Information may also be obtained from the Association of Social Work Boards, or ASWB, which covers all state licensing requirements. The ASWB is also a source for individual social workers with regard to licensing and social work licensing exams.