Social workers are found in a broad range of specialties, but one thing they all have in common is a desire to help people and families connect with the resources they need to help solve or cope with problems. With a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, you’ll have an understanding of diverse individuals, couples, and families to strengthen your social work practice no matter what the setting.
In general, social workers help people cope with challenges in their lives. Child and family social workers protect vulnerable children and help families in need of assistance. Clinical social workers provide individual, group, family, and couples therapy. School social workers help teachers, parents, and school administrators develop plans to improve students’ academic performance. Medical social workers refer patients to community agencies, facilitate support groups, and link patients with hospital and community resources.
Education and Certification Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in HDFS can prepare students for direct-service positions such as caseworker or mental health assistant. But many positions, including those in schools and in health care, frequently require a master’s degree in social work (MSW). For example, clinical social workers must have a master’s degree in social work and two years of post-master experience in a supervised clinical setting.
A master’s degree in social work generally takes 2 years to complete. Master’s degree programs in social work prepare students for work in their chosen specialty by developing the skills to do clinical assessments, and take on supervisory duties. All programs require students to complete supervised practicum or an internship.
A bachelor’s degree in social work is not required to enter a master’s degree program in social work. A degree in almost any major is acceptable. However, courses in psychology, sociology, economics, and political science are recommended.
All states have some type of licensure or certification requirement, and all states require clinical social workers to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for social workers was $61,330 in 2024. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,580, and the top 10 percent earned more than $99,500.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
Child, family, and school social workers will be needed to help strengthen parenting skills, prevent child abuse, and identify alternative homes for children who are unable to live with their biological families. However, employment growth for these social workers may be limited by state and local budget constraints.
Healthcare social workers will continue to be needed to help aging populations and their families adjust to new treatments, medications, and lifestyles.
Employment of mental health and substance abuse social workers will grow as more people seek treatment for mental illness and for substance abuse, especially recovery from opioid use disorder. In addition, drug offenders are increasingly being directed to treatment programs, which are staffed by these social workers, as a supplement or occasionally an alternative to incarceration.