The Guide to Launching Your Career in Social Work:

Starting a career is full of different thoughts and emotions: Will I like the work? Will I find it fulfilling? Challenging? Will it live up to my expectations? Am I prepared for this career?

Chances are, you have chosen a career in social work because of your deep-seated passion for helping people. As you probably know from your time in undergraduate studies, your practicum placement experiences, your volunteer work, and your other encounters with the social work profession, social work requires dedication, empathy, and an unwavering desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

To ensure a successful career in social work, these professionals need each of these traits, as well as a strong educational background and extensive hands-on experience both in and outside of the classroom. A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is the best possible training for future social work professionals.

In this digital resource, we explore the difference between a graduate and undergraduate social work degree and the value and return-on-investment an MSW offers. We will also explore the career outlook for this profession and take a look at both a short-term and long-term career plan for those who want to launch a career as a social work professional. If your goal is to begin a career in social work, this guide offers you everything you need to get started!  

What’s the Difference Between an MSW and a BSW?

Your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is an excellent foundation for social work practice, client relationships, and professional success. However, to truly stand out in the profession and gain the skills and experience necessary to become a leader and make a significant impact in the profession — a master’s degree is needed.

Although the subject matter is the same, there are several differences between a bachelor’s and master's degree program. Here are four areas in which a master’s degree offers you a competitive edge.

1. In-depth training — With additional advanced coursework and extra practicum hours, a graduate degree provides you with the training you need to successfully manage your caseload and help your clients.

2. Advanced levels of licensure — You can become licensed to practice with only your BSW, but three levels of advanced licensure* are available to those who earn a master’s degree. This additional training and demonstration of expertise add value to your degree.

   *Depending on the state

3. More and better job opportunities — An advanced degree opens you up to numerous additional job opportunities and will also set you apart from your competition when you apply for those jobs.

4. Higher salary — On average, those who hold an MSW earn $13,000 more per year than those who hold a BSW.

5. Greater job security — With additional education, training, practicum experience, and subject-matter expertise, when budget cuts come, your value stands out and you are less likely to be let go.

1. A growing number of jobs means job security. With 715,600 jobs reported in 2020 by the BLS and more than 100,000 jobs projected to be added in the coming decade, the job market for social work professionals is growing to meet the needs of society. The social work profession already has a low unemployment rate, at 2.3 percent, but earning an MSW will contribute to your job security by making you an experienced and sought after candidate.

2. The intersection of technology and social work practice offers a fascinating future. Like all other industries, the prevalence of cutting-edge technology is forcing each discipline to respond. Not only is it important to look at the impact of technology in the life of the client, but an exciting emerging discipline is the convergence of social work practice and evidence-based methods affected by technology. Leaders in this area are asking — how can technology be used to help solve problems within systems and the problems of specific clients?

3. People need help, now. As of 2018, 38.1 percent of Americans lived below the poverty line. The wealth gap in the US has become so egregious that the richest 5 percent of Americans own two-thirds of the wealth. In any given year, approximately 20 percent of the US population is affected by mental illness. 11.4 million individuals misused prescription opioids and 2.1 had a use disorder. People need help and they need it now. Trained social work professionals are in the best position to help these vulnerable populations.

Your Short-term and Long-term Career Plan

What kind of careers can you expect with a graduate degree in social work?

What are the most common jobs for social workers right out of grad school?

What jobs can I work toward throughout my professional career?

These are three of the most common questions graduate students ask about their career trajectory. Here is a quick look at the types of first, mid-level, and late-career social work jobs you could hold.

How to Land a Job As a Social Work Professional

Finding a job is usually as much about who you know as it is what you know. Throughout your graduate degree program, it is important to build and maintain professional relationships with professors, instructors, faculty, and anyone else you connect with in the industry. When you graduate and it comes time to search for a job, these professional relationships and connections will offer you a launching point for your search.

Networking is the practice of connecting with other individuals over common or shared interests and passions. Frequently, professional networking is how students find their first, or subsequent, job out of college. A great place to network is at events such as lectures, seminars, symposiums, continuing education opportunities, and conferences put on by social work organizations. Organizations like the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) frequently host both national and regional events.

For more information on networking events specifically in Texas, check out NASW’s Texas chapter.

Networking is not the only way to find a job. In addition to searching through online listings and setting up informational interviews, you can join professional associations. Popular associations include the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA). These associations offer you resources, events, and furthering education opportunities that will help you in your job search. You can also look for a professional association that is dedicated to your specific area of work.

Resources to Help You Stay Up-to-Date

In addition to joining a professional organization and networking, you should also stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the industry. Continuing your education, in both formal and informal ways, will help you in your professional practice. Here are a few online publications and resources for social work professionals:

Baylor’s Master of Social Work Program

At the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University, we believe that social work is about service and justice, healing and restoration, and the dignity of each individual. We strive to train and equip social work professionals to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and support the needs of their clients through the ethical integration of faith and practice. We have built an evidence-based, research-centered program that encourages students to dive into social work practice, through practicum experiences and classes led by expert faculty with years of experience in the profession.  

Practicums Available Through Baylor University

Practicums are arguably one of the most important pieces of your social work degree program and professional preparation. At the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, we have a department specifically dedicated to helping our students with their practicums.  

Our team has a process for placing students in internships, which takes into consideration the students interests and the best possible fit. Our team is dedicated to making this process a unique and valuable experience for each student. Every student enrolled in the MSW program will work directly with a dedicated practicum supervisor and liaison throughout their practicum experience.

When compared to other schools, Baylor offers the best options for practicum placements.  To ensure this, Baylor provides continuous training for all of our practicum sites and maintains close connections to ensure a quality placement for every student.

Check out this list of placement opportunities. It is not an all-inclusive list, but it does provide a small sample size of the agencies we currently work with or have worked with in the past. If you would like more information about additional field placement opportunities or a specific opportunity within Baylor’s surrounding community — please reach out and ask us!