Social Work is an umbrella term for a variety of activities related to helping people in difficult situation. Social Work is also an academic discipline, one of subdisciplines of Social Studies, which combines law, social justice, politics, psychology, sociology, statistics, healthcare, ethics and philosophy, education and psychotherapy. A degree in Social Work gives its graduates a strong academic background in all these disciplines. If you love communicating with different people, want to help those who need help and have empathy and a humanitarian mindset — maybe a degree in Social Work is the best choice for you.

Why choose Social Work?

Social work is a very wide scope of activities, and everyone interested can find a job for their liking, but people who have chosen this field of activity should possess several important qualities: they should be emotionally stable and love other people and helping them.

• Social work is not an occupation for everyone, nevertheless, in some sense, the whole society keeps together because of people as social workers.

• Social work is a great activity for people with high civic responsibility, for people who want to change the world for the better.

• Working in social sector is extremely challenging, but this job gives an experience a few other jobs can provide.

To become a social worker, you must have a degree in social work from an accredited college or university program. The basic qualification is a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). Degrees include a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or Ph.D. You can pursue graduate studies in social work even if you have a bachelor's degree in another field of study. Social work training is unique in many ways. The social work profession has its own code of knowledge, values, and ethics. While graduates from other human services fields can fill social worker roles, their educational backgrounds differ significantly from those of social workers.

The field practicum provides a unique perspective on social work education. In addition to classroom instruction, all social work understudies have field encounters that give them the opportunity to apply their skills and abilities in real-world settings. Internships can take place in any work setting where social workers can hone their skills. A few illustrations are mental health clinics, child and family administrations, and political organizations.

Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social work (BSW and MSW)

With a Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW), you will be competent to enter careers in areas similar to psychiatry, elder care, or domestic care.You need a master's degree to get a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) qualification. This qualification allows you to provide individual psychotherapy or advanced clinical services. The MSW is the degree you should get if you want to take on program leadership or administrative roles in social work or apply for a position politically on social justice issues.

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or Ph.D.

After earning a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or PhD in Social Work, you will complete further training in research, supervision, and policy analysis. Social workers with a Ph.D. are eligible to teach at the graduate level and hold advanced project or systems management positions.

It is important to earn a social work degree from a college or university program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). There are more than 600 accredited social work schools in the United States. These courses meet the standards set by social work educators and practitioners to ensure that students are adequately prepared for professional practice. Earning an accredited social work degree will greatly improve your chances of being licensed or hired as a social worker.

Career options for Social Work graduates

A degree in Social Work area opens a variety of opportunities for its graduates. They can start a career in clinics and non-profit healthcare organizations, start a consulting career or research or teaching activity after completing a PhD degree. Social Work study programs are usually highly practical, so graduates receive a right amount of skills to find a job in Social Work after completing an undergraduate degree.

Graduates holding a Bachelors degree in Social Work can also continue education in a variety of related fields, for example, psychology, social studies, health care and other.

Most popular countries for Social Work studies

1. Germany

One of the best countries to study social work is Germany. The country's universities have extensive experience in this field and can offer practical internships. There are many social projects here that always need extra help from students to support society. Germany is also a comfortable country to study in and to gain real-world experience in the field. Top Universities: Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, and Alice Salomon University.

2. The United Kingdom

In this country, you are more likely to get real social work experience, as this position is very relevant in the UK. You do not need to have local citizenship to become a social worker in the UK, which is a big plus if you want to gain experience in this country. Also, if you will be working in smaller cities, the higher salary compared to most other countries can be an advantage. Top Universities: University of Leeds, Kingston University London, and University of Kent.

3. Norway

Norway can offer an innovative and creative approach to social work research. This country trains you to think outside the box to solve societal problems, and your opinion will be highly valued. In Norway, the field of social work has a strong focus on youth, minorities, and homeless people. A good command of English is also a strength in this country. Top Universities: Bergen University College, Finmark University College, and University of Stavanger.

4. The USA

The U.S. can offer some of the best and most extensive social work study programs in the world. University degrees are valued all over the world, so you'll be a valued employee in any other country. The U.S. also has the largest number of job openings in the social work field. They provide a fantastic opportunity to grow as a professional while also empowering others. Degrees in this discipline are also affordable and have many fellowship programs. Top Universities: University of Texas Austin, University of Washington, and University of California Berkeley.