Social Worker

Working as a social worker means choosing to make a difference. Social workers have the most important jobs. It is a profession for those who want to work with people and help improve their lives significantly.

Social workers work for government agencies, such as hospitals, clinics, prisons, or courts. They can also find employment in retirement homes, nursing homes, and assisted living centers.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a social worker?

The primary responsibility of a social worker is to help people cope with issues in their everyday lives, deal with their relationships, and solve personal and family problems. They also conduct interviews and counselling to individuals and families who have serious domestic conflicts.

Social workers also conduct researches, engage themselves in systems design and get involved in planning or policy development. They also assess needs and develop response plans.

Other specific duties of a social worker may include:

• Assist families and people with their basic needs, such as medical care, food, shelter, and clothing
• Secure foster care
• Assist in adoptions
• Deal with substance abuse
• Handle unemployment
• Assist the family of patients in retirement homes, nursing homes, and assisted living centers

What are the requirements to become a social worker?

The minimum requirement for most social work positions is a bachelor’s degree in social work. Majors in related fields, such as psychology and sociology, may also qualify for entry-level jobs. Moreover, a master’s or doctorate degree proves to be an additional advantage to easily get a job in social work. Higher education is also required for supervisory, administrative and staff training positions.

Individuals who want to become a social worker must meet the licensing, certification or registration requirements in social work and practices. Most states require 2 years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience for licensure of clinical social workers.

Social workers should be emotionally mature, patient, objective, compassionate, and sensitive to people and their problems to be able to carry out their jobs properly.

How much does a social worker earn?

Salary is an important aspect in choosing and deciding a career. However, the salary of a social worker is should not be the first question of individuals who want to become a social worker. Social work is not a typical career where one can expect fame and fortune.

The salary of a social worker depends on several factors, such as education, location, and experience. Social workers who excel in this field often find that helping communities, families and individuals recover from disasters and calamities is more rewarding and more important than the less appealing aspects of social work.

Social workers with less than a year of experience may receive a salary from $25,919 to $32,896 each year, while those with more than 20 years of experience may earn between $34,923 and $50,779 annually. A social worker who has spent more time on the job and handled more cases is more likely to know how he or she will handle the next case that comes through the door.

The following schools offer criminal justice degrees which can help you gain the skills to become a Border Patrol Agent:

We recommend getting information from several schools so you can compare the programs, costs, time commitments and financial aid options.

Criminal Justice School Directory

Walden University

• Ph.D. in Human Services
• Ph.D. in Human Services - Counseling Specialization

Walden University offers students a comprehensive Bachelor's or Master's degree program in an exclusive online environment. The online tools and resources available allow students to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of independent learning, structured class curriculums, and easy access to instructors.

University of Phoenix

With more than 8,000 faculty and staff, University of Phoenix is the largest accredited private university. In its online incarnation, University of Phoenix has distilled its programs into accelerated course programs to help you get the most degree in the least amount of time without breaking your wallet.

• BS in Human Services/Management

Ashford University

• Organizational Management - Applied Behavioral Science (Human Services)

For almost 100 years, Ashford University has been providing the residents of Clinton, Iowa with the training they need to earn their bachelors or masters degrees in a variety of specialties. Over time, Ashford has grown and now has the capability to offer students around the world access to three Bachelors programs and two Masters programs online.

Related Entries:

• Substance Abuse Counseling
  Counseling is an effective therapy to remedy mental health problems and other erratic behaviors that are usually associated with substance abuse. The negative consequences on the personal and legal side are a great hindrance to anyone, especially teenagers, to achieve balance and sobriety while dealing with their friends, families, and society as a whole. A combination of pharmacological and behavioral treatments is necessary to address the problem.

Find out more about your criminal justice degree.

>> Request a free Course Catalog