Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a
Canada
In Canada, the MSW is considered a professional master's degree and is offered through several universities. Most schools are accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE).
All students entering an MSW program are required to have a recognized bachelor's degree in a related field. Generally, students with a Bachelor of Social Work would enroll in a one-year program, whereas those with other undergraduate degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.) would enroll in a two-year program. In Canada, the average Master of Social Work graduate can earn anywhere from C$60,000 to C$150,000, depending on their role and work environment.
The oldest social work program in Canada is offered at the University of Toronto through the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. Social work students at the UofT choose from a number of specializations (gerontology; children and their families; mental health and health; human service management and leadership; and social justice and diversity), with opportunities to pursue a variety of collaborative programs, such as Addiction Studies, Sexual Diversity Studies, and Community Development, to name a few.[1][2] Students could also pursue their MSW degrees in combination with either a Master of Health Science or a Juris Doctor degree.[3]
Canadian universities that offer the MSW:
- Carleton University
- Dalhousie University
- Lakehead University
- McGill University
- McMaster University
- Memorial University
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- Université de Moncton
- Université de Montréal
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université du Québec à Montréal
- Université du Québec en Outaouais
- Université Laval
- University of British Columbia
- University of Calgary
- University of the Fraser Valley
- University of Manitoba
- University of Northern British Columbia
- University of Ottawa
- University of Toronto
- University of Victoria
- University of Waterloo
- University of Western Ontario
- University of Windsor
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- York University
- Asian Theological Bible Seminary (Myanmar)
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, clinical social work could first be studied in academia as part of a certificate program beginning in 1908. Later, two and three year programs were introduced.[4] The Tavistock Clinic in London remains the leading centre for the study of clinically oriented social work and offers programmes up to and including Professional Doctorate level. The Journal of Social Work Practice represents the main organ of research and scholarly output in this area in the UK.
United States
In the
Most MSW programs allow students to choose a clinical or direct practice track, which focuses on direct practice with clients, or a macro practice track, with a focus on political advocacy, community organizing, policy analysis and/or human services management. While the clinical track tends to be more popular, there has been a resurgence in community practice concentrations recently. There are also opportunities at many universities to obtain joint degrees, such as an MSW and a Public Administration degree, MSW and Public Health, or MSW and Law. The MSW practice scope has broadened in recent years to include the specialty practice areas of geriatrics and work with veterans. In some schools the curriculum is based on a generalist model which integrates the facets of the various practice areas within social work.
The MSW is considered a terminal practice degree in the field of social work. The DSW (Doctorate of Social Work) and PhD in social work are the final degrees offered in the field of social work. There are inherent differences between the DSW and the PhD; the DSW further develops skills to continue practice with individual clients and client systems in the field. The PhD prepares graduates to conduct research and teach in institutions of higher education. It is important to note that the "Master's Degree" earned as part of the completion of a PhD in Social Work is not comparable to the Master of Social Work used in practice and to seek licensure. There are few DSW programs available in the United States.
Top-ranked institutions, such as the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio State University–Columbus, University of Denver, University of Connecticut, and Howard University are investing in, and driving this initiative, making MSW curriculum more accessible to students via online delivery platforms.
Though Master of Social Work is by far the most common degree title used by graduate social work schools in the United States, it is not universal. For example,
Employment outlook and opportunities U.S.
Although it is possible to be a
The median annual salary for social workers according to the 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics was $46,890, or $22.54 hourly.[10] Between the years 2016 and 2026, the job outlook is projected to increase by 16%, which is 9% higher than the national job growth average.[10] Average salaries will vary depending on the specific field of social work itself. Those who seek employment as social workers in the healthcare industry typically average the highest salaries, ranging between $54,141-$65,489.[11] By obtaining a license in the field of clinical social work, the salary ranges from $40,494 to $76,205 according to PayScale.[12]
Social workers' earnings varied according to their area of specialization and work environment:
Specialization | Work Environment | 2010 Median Salary |
---|---|---|
Clinical Social Worker | Clinics and Hospitals | $50,020 |
Medical/Public Health Social Worker | Local Government, Health Care, Schools, Hospital, Retirement Homes, Public Health and Welfare | $76,370 |
Hospital Social Worker | Outpatient Services, Hospice and Palliative Care | $55,460 |
Psychiatric Social Worker | Schools, Psychiatric Hospitals, Health Care, HR, Outpatient Services and Nursing/Retirement Homes | $65,170 |
Managers and Administrators | Health Care, Public Welfare, Probation, CSR, HR, Non-Profit (NPO's), NGO's, Fund Raising | $62,460 |
Public Policy and Politics | Policy making and advocacy, Policy Analyst, Lobbyists, Legislative Aide, Field organizer, Public Welfare, Legislator | $58,260 |
Child, Family and School | Elementary and Secondary Schools | $57,260 |
Child, Family and School | Local Government, Child Welfare | $54,130 |
Child, Family and School | State Government | $39,750 |
Child, Family and School | Individual, Family and Adoption Services | $35,120 |
Insurance and Risk Management | Individual, Hospitals, Emergency, Suicide Prevention and Advocacy and support in violence and assault cases | $39,310 |
Community Development Social Worker | Ombudsman, NPO's, NGO's and Local Government | $42,810 |
Healthcare | Home Health Care and Nursing Care Facilities | $48,530 |
Healthcare | Local Government | $45,810 |
Healthcare | Individual and Family Services | $53,400 |
Military Social Worker | Base, Hospital, Family Meetings, Assistance and Advocacy, Social Services and Well-being programs | $58,500 |
Rehabilitation | Hospital and Nursing Care Facilities | $41,860 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse | Hospital | $48,010 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse | Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Specialty Hospitals | $47,710 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse | Local Government | $45,210 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse | Outpatient Services | $36,780 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse | Individual and Family Services | $36,740 |
Educators and Researchers | Colleges, Government and Private Institutions | $50,000 |
See also
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Doctor of Social Work
- History of Social Work
- Medical social work
- School social worker
- International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW)
References
- ^ "Program of Study: Year Two". Archived from the original on 2011-05-28. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
- ^ "M.S.W. Collaborative Programs". Archived from the original on 2011-05-28. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
- ^ "M.S.W. Combined Programs". Archived from the original on 2011-05-28. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
- ^ 100 Years of Social Work University of Birmingham, 2008
- ^ "Required Internship hours". 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Council on Social Work Education. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
- ^ "NASW Press". www.socialworkers.org.
- ^ "25% between 2010 and 2020". 2012 Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ "MSW Jobs Outlook | UNE Online". socialwork.une.edu. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ^ "Employment Projection". 2012 Earnings and Unemployment Rates by Educational Attainment. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ a b [1] Bureau Of Labor Statistics
- ^ "Medical Social Worker (MSW) Salary in the United States". Salary.com.
- ^ "United States \ Job \ Average Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Salary". PayScale.