Social Work Profession

Why Choose a Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree?

Many arrows and question marks, and MSW?
I ‘m often asked why people should choose to pursue a master in social work (MSW) degree over the myriad of other human services graduate degrees that are available. My answer is the same one that influenced my degree choice many years ago: an MSW degree opens up more career paths than any other comparable degree. No other human services-oriented degree encompasses this breadth:

• Therapist, planner, community organizer, executive director, policy analyst, researcher, program developer
• Work across systems: individuals, families of all forms, groups, organizations, neighborhoods, service systems, communities, regions, states, nations
• Every field of practice: addictions, aging, anti-poverty, child welfare, criminal justice, disabilities, health, mental health, social development, social justice, trauma … just to name a few!
• Work with people: in schools, hospitals, prisons, the military, clinics, agencies, government, communities.
• Work on behalf of the vulnerable and oppressed in society to “challenge social injustice,” to end discrimination, to address poverty, and to promote meaningful change.
• Build on strengths, support growth, prevent problems, ameliorate long-standing problems, advocate for change, develop innovative interventions, lead an organization, unravel the causes of complex social problems, study what works, do social entrepreneurship.

These are just some of the opportunities for those with an MSW.

On my own career journey, I had been working in the mental health field for several years prior to enrolling in an MSW program. Initially, I had been thinking about pursuing a degree in clinical psychology. But during my work, I noticed that the people who were doing what I wanted to do were social workers. They did therapy with clients, helped clients access services across fragmented services systems, and made service systems change to accommodate clients’ needs. As I learned more about the profession and its commitment to social justice, I knew I had found my professional home.

For those of you out there who are social workers, how would you answer the question, Why Choose Social Work?

Image adapted from this image by FutUndBeidl – provided through this Creative Commons License.

16 thoughts on “Why Choose a Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree?”

  1. After working for ngos, government, and the private industry, the MSW education seemed to provide a set of dynamic values (NASW) and theories (systems and ecological ) that allow me to understand the world and others in ways that other programs don’t. More than the practice which can run the gamut of crisis or planning, I also find the emphasis on reflection to be a powerful tool in my own professional development. Lastly, very few internships come close to a well done MSW practicum.

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  2. When I began school I actually started in an MFT program and then changed after a semester. I did so for 3 reasons: the social workers were doing what I wanted to do, I knew that an MSW would allow me to do a wide range of things and 3) I also knew that the MSW would “translate” well across state lines since the curriculum is much more standardized than at least other master level degrees. I have found this to be true, allowing me to gain licensure in 2 different states fairly easily.

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  3. I chose the MSW because it covers a broad area of knowledge, and I did not know what I wanted to specialize in. I was not disappointed.

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  4. Hello, Nancy!
    First, I want to let your readers know that there is a twitter hashtag that is active right now: #Ysocialwork
    and there are great responses to that query. I am also sharing replies given during last week’s (Feb. 26th) #MacroSW twitter chat, on social workers working with Congress for social justice. (The summary of this chat can be found here: http://ow.ly/JT6gL ).
    The first question asked during the chat was, “What motivated you to become a social worker?” While your question is focused on the MSW degree, the responses from the twitter chat participants apply, I think. The answers fell into three major categories:
    1. To change the world for the better (“I joined to become a change agent in society. I knew I always wanted to be a part of something that was greater than myself”);
    2. To advance social justice (“Desire to promote #socialjustice, ideally through policy.” “To break out of all negative cycles of oppression! That is the ultimate goal of social work!”) and
    3. To enter a profession that would be challenging, interesting and perhaps life-changing (“I was interested in working from an activist orientation, and I felt there would be career variety.”)
    A few had the desire to give back (“Wanting to help and direct people in the right direction, as so many people have helped me.” “What motivates me is the opportunity to promote change. To give back and stand for up for equality”).
    What was my own answer? “I joined the profession to make positive change & help ‘share the wealth’ among all world citizens.” My MSW degree allows me to work productively in a sustainable manner (to support myself and labor in ways that add to rather than extract from).

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  5. Hi Nancy, l am graduate of social work ( BSW ) with nine years practicing experience as a licensed psychiatric social worker in the Federal neuro- Psychiatric hospital Calabar, Nigeria. I strongly support and appreciate the fact that the Master Degree in Social Work MSW goes a long way in equipping one with the needed professional skills in evidence based social work and especially in clinical practice. cheers.

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  6. Iam a malayalee. I’m going to joining this course m.a social work. I want to know the details about this course.

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  7. I’ve completed btech but I love to do social work. I think MSW will help me to do social work along with my career.

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