An estimated 2,000 children in the U.S. lost their lives to child abuse and neglect in 2023.¹ It’s a heartbreaking reality that should concern us all.

Just how prevalent is child abuse? Consider these alarming statistics:

• In 2023 alone, there were around 546,000 victims of child abuse and neglect.¹
• In 2023 alone, there were around 546,000 victims of child abuse and neglect.²
• A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds.²
• 89% of victims are abused by one or both parents.¹

Child abuse is a critical problem in communities throughout the country. If you want to be part of the solution, think about a career as a social worker.

What Do Social Workers Do to Help Child Abuse Victims?

There are many types of social workers who support victims of child abuse.

For example, a child welfare social worker investigates reports of child abuse and ensures the child’s safety. Child, family, and school social workers protect the well-being of victims and work with families in crisis to prevent abuse. A clinical social worker provides mental health therapy to victims and families. And a medical social worker is involved if there’s a suspected case of abuse for a child who is brought in to the hospital.

Whether they work for a social service agency, at a school, in a medical facility, or in their own clinical social work practice, good social workers change their communities for the better and make a big impact for child abuse victims.

And we need more of them. The demand for social work professionals is expected to increase 6% by 2034—faster than the national average for all occupations.³

How to Become a Social Worker

A college education is needed for most social worker jobs. A bachelor’s degree in social work can help you enter the profession. But if you want to take your social work practice to the next level—and potentially seek a higher salary—becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) could be the career path for you. And that requires a master’s degree.

To obtain licensure in most states, you will need to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a program with accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE-accredited MSW programs are specifically designed to prepare students to pursue state licensure and begin their social work practice as an LCSW.

Where Can I Earn a Master of Social Work Degree?

Social worker degree programs are offered at many universities and colleges. As you search for good programs and compare your options, be sure to look for marks of quality such as accreditation, strong alumni outcomes, and doctoral-level faculty with practical experience in the social work field.

Walden University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program, which has CSWE accreditation, is a solid option for those who want to become an LCSW. The program’s convenient and flexible online learning format allows you to fit in online classes around your busy schedule—making it possible to pursue your master’s in social work online while fulfilling career and family commitments.

In addition to the online MSW program, Walden’s Barbara Solomon School of Social Work offers bachelor’s and doctoral degree options for social workers. If you’re just starting out, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) online degree program can help you gain the foundational skills to launch a career as a social worker.

Walden also offers a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program for advanced practitioners. One of the first DSW programs to be accredited by CSWE, Walden’s program is for seasoned social work professionals who want to expand their practice and become a leader in their field.

Whether you are exploring how to become a social worker or are a long-time practitioner who wants to grow your influence, advancing your college education with a degree in social work can prepare you to change lives and tackle the important issue of child abuse across the U.S.

Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering Master of Social Work (MSW), Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree programs online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/cm2023.pdf
²Source: www.childhelp.org/child-abuse-statistics
³Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/Community-and-Social-Service/Social-workers.htm

Accreditation
Walden University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) programs are 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.

Note on licensure:
The Walden University Master of Social Work (MSW) program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as licensed social workers in many states. However, the requirements for licensure as a social worker vary greatly from state to state. Each state board that is responsible for regulating the practice of social work has its own academic requirements and issues its own license to practice as a social worker in that state. Additionally, students should be advised that the Walden MSW program is not designed or intended to prepare graduates for licensure as a school social worker; however, graduates might be eligible for licensure as a school social worker in their particular state of residence.

While Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide general information relating to the state-by-state educational requirements for social work licensure or certification, it remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization, or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, certification, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. Licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice.

Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.

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