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What Is the Benefit of an MSW?

Is a master’s degree in social work with it? Find out why many MSW graduates say yes.

An advanced degree may be the right next move for your career, particularly if you’re considering a Master of Social Work (MSW).

In a survey, 91% of MSW graduates polled said they’d recommend a social work degree.1 Among graduate school options, an online social work degree program can convey numerous benefits, beginning with providing skills, knowledge, and training you can use in your career.

A young woman looks at a computer screen, assumably earning an online MSW degree from Walden University

“MSW programs prepare graduates for work in their chosen field of concentration or specialization and include developing skills required to perform clinical assessments, manage large caseloads, take on supervisory roles, engage in policy-level advocacy, and explore new ways of drawing on social services to meet the needs of clients and communities,” the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) explains.2

The generalist and specialized education you receive in an MSW degree program “broadens your career opportunities to include specialized practice like mental health or child welfare, as well as clinical and administrative positions,” the CSWE says.2

There are numerous other benefits of a social work degree. Here are five top MSW benefits to consider:

  1. Benefit of a Master’s in Social Work: Job Growth
    The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts growth of 6% between 2024 and 2034 for all social worker jobs, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.3 The BLS projects growth of 17% for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors during that same time period.4 In a report on three years of survey results from the CSWE and National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 83% of MSWs surveyed said there were some or many social work job opportunities locally.5
  2. Benefit of a Master’s in Social Work: Potentially Higher Salaries
    “Social work salaries have a high variability,” the NASW says.6 They hinge on factors that include geography, degree, and specialty. And there is no guarantee that a social work degree will lead to a certain salary. But the NASW collects data on what professionals in social work jobs are paid, providing a snapshot of potential earnings. They’ve found that MSW salaries are typically $13,000 or more higher than BSW salaries.6 Professionals with MSW degrees tend to have higher earnings when working for research institutions, government bodies, or inpatient hospital settings, the NASW says.6
  3. Benefit of a Master’s in Social Work: Diverse Career Options 
    MSW respondents to the CSWE and NASW surveys cited the variety of social worker jobs as a benefit. One MSW degree-holder wrote, “With a social work degree, someone has a wide range of job opportunities. They can work in child protection, schools, hospitals, mental health facilities, etc.”1 The most common client focuses among MSW graduates in that study were:1
    • Children and families, 35%
    • People with mental health issues, 26%
    • People receiving healthcare, 15%
    • Other, 6%
    • School social work, 12%
    • People with substance abuse issues, 6%
  4. Benefit of a Master’s in Social Work: Expanded Network
    Pursuing an MSW degree offers the opportunity to build a robust professional network. You will connect with experienced faculty, peers, and professionals in the field, which can lead to valuable mentorship and networking opportunities. These connections can help expand your professional horizons.
  5. Benefit of a Master’s in Social Work: Personal Growth
    Earning a master’s degree can be a deeply fulfilling personal journey. The education and experiences you gain in your MSW program can help you develop a deeper understanding of social issues. This can lead to personal growth and a greater sense of engagement in your professional life.

What Are the Benefits of a Master’s in Social Work From Walden University?

Earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Walden University offers multiple benefits. One notable advantage is the flexibility of the online learning environment. You can complete coursework at times that suit your schedule, making it easier to manage your responsibilities without compromising your career and social work education goals.

Walden’s online MSW degree program is accredited by the CSWE, the national accrediting body for social work programs. CSWE accreditation ensures that the curriculum meets the highest standards of quality and relevance in the field of social work. It also means that your social work degree will be recognized by employers, licensing boards, and other educational institutions.

The MSW program at Walden is designed to prepare you for advanced practice in a variety of social worker job settings. The program conveys skills and knowledge you can use to address complex social issues, advocate for marginalized populations, and implement evidence-based interventions. The program also emphasizes the importance of cultural competence, helping to ensure that you are equipped to work effectively with diverse communities.

Another benefit of Walden’s master’s degree in social work is its focus areas: Addictions, Child and Family, Healthcare, Military, and Trauma. This focused approach can help you develop specialized skills and knowledge needed in the social work field.

The university’s MSW program emphasizes the importance of field education. You’ll have the opportunity to engage in social work practice in real-world settings, allowing you to use the theories and skills you learn in the classroom. These hands-on experiences are crucial for developing the competencies needed for a social work career.

And yet another top benefit of the master’s in social work program at Walden is the robust student and academic support. You’ll have access to a network of experienced faculty members who bring real-world experience to the classroom and are dedicated to your success. You’ll also find financial aid advisors, the Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services, and 24/7 technical support, to name a few of Walden’s student support services. Enrollment Specialists can tell you more about the benefits of a master’s in social work. Contact them online or by calling (855) 646-5286.

So, is a master’s degree in social work worth it? An MSW program offers the chance to deepen your understanding of people, communities, and the systems that shape their lives. If this sounds like a path you’d like to follow, earning an MSW can give you tools you can use to make a real impact in people’s lives.

Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering online certificate programs and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

1Source: www.cswe.org/getmedia/938fe746-53c2-47ff-85d6-086df54821c4/WorkforceStudy_Brief-MSW_Raceethnicity-pdf.pdf
2Source: www.cswe.org/students/prepare-for-your-education/social-work-at-a-glance
3Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-1
4Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm
5Source: www.cswe.org/cswe/media/workforce-study/the-social-work-profession-findings-from-three-years-of-surveys-of-new-social-workers-dec-2020.pdf
6Source: www.socialworkers.org/careers/career-center/kickstart-your-job-hunt/social-work-salaries

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Accreditation 
Walden University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Accreditation of a baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

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