Social workers are among the most empathetic, compassionate, driven, and kind people in human services. The path to becoming a social worker is different for everyone, but it starts with a bachelor’s degree. Many people stop there and enjoy long careers, but others see the value in pursuing other coveted credentials.
Just as businesspeople debate DBA vs. PhD, social workers often debate BSW vs. MSW. A Bachelor of Social Work is the baseline for all social workers, while a Master of Social Work is more esteemed and valuable. That said, it’s not as simple as earning an MSW and stopping there.
After all, social work is a diverse field with many specialisations, each of which depends on different credentials. Follow along as we explore why social work is such a credential-driven field.
Leadership Potential
Even without a private practice, coveted credentials can help you land social work leadership roles. This may not matter if you only ever want to work as a social worker, which is admirable. However, an MSW and a state license can help you qualify for leadership positions.
It’s worth pursuing an MSW if you want to become a supervisor, director, or executive at an agency, clinic, or hospital. These opportunities inspire many BSW graduates to upskill to an MSW. That’s especially true for those who want to get more involved in social work programs and even develop them.
These behind-the-scenes roles aren’t typically available to BSW graduates. Of course, you can work for a few years while earning an MSW in your free time. This route is admirable, as you will build a strong resume while acquiring a credential that can alter your career trajectory.
Start a Private Practice
Many driven social workers dream of one day opening their own private practice. Unfortunately, that’s not possible with a BSW, which is enough to inspire many to pursue MSW degrees. Technically, you can start a private practice with a Master’s degree in counselling or family therapy, but that’s not always the best path.
Earning an MSW from an accredited Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) organisation is the best way to qualify to start a private practice. Naturally, you must also earn the highest-level license available in your state and work for 2-3 years. Your MSW degree, license, and professional experience not only look good but will also prepare you for the responsibilities that come with private practice.
After all, how can you run a private practice without plenty of practical experience? Some people earn BSWs, work for years, then pursue MSW degrees. No matter which path you take, pursuing an MSW to start a private practice is worth the effort.
Boost Your Earnings
You don’t necessarily need to start a private practice to boost your earnings as a social worker. Each new credential, whether it be a certification or an MSW degree, can significantly boost your salary. This works a few ways, but the most obvious is that a master’s degree can boost your earnings in almost any field.
Besides that, earning an MSW helps you qualify to become an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). The LCSW credential opens the door to specialised roles, such as supervisory positions and further credentials. For example, an MSW and LSCW can help you qualify to become certified in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment.
An MSW alone is enough to boost your earnings, but adding skills like EMDR can take your career to the next level. MSW social workers typically earn $10,000 to $15,000 more than BSW social workers. Money isn’t everything, but the credentials that lead to higher salaries can significantly impact your career path.
Choose Your Specialisation
Just as doctors can work in many niches, such as orthopaedics, social workers can choose from many specialisations. However, there is no “one size fits all” certification, as different specialisations require different credentials. For example, you must earn a Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC) if you want to become an advanced medical social worker.
Certified Clinical Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs Social Worker (C-CATODSW) is another specialised credential worth pursuing. This credential opens the door to becoming a substance abuse social worker. As you can see, anything beyond traditional, basic social work requires unique credentials.
You can enjoy a great career without a specialisation, but your trajectory is limited. That said, there’s no pressure to pick a specialisation right off the bat. Sometimes, it takes working in a specific niche for a few years to figure out what works best for you.
The Right Credentials Can Change Your Career Path
Nobody can blame you for feeling torn between credentials and specialisations. After all, there is no shortage of options within social work, and each one is valid. That said, an MSW degree is the ultimate gateway to many of the most desirable social work roles.
It doesn’t stop there, however, as you also need special credentials to work in substance abuse treatment or healthcare social work. Your best bet is to earn a BSW, gain practical experience, and consider which specialisation best appeals to you.
Practical experience will give you a better idea of how you want to spend your career. It’s never too late to work toward new credentials and alter your career potential.
