Clinical Social Work Career

Why Choose a Clinical Social Work Career?

A career in Social Work is for those who are driven by the desire to help others improve their lives, cope with problems, or solve critical issues related to relationships and other aspects of life. Social workers may be called upon to address issues related to a disability, life-threatening disease, domestic conflicts, and social problems, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, or substance abuse. Whatever the setting in which the Social Worker wishes to contribute and whichever spectrum of the population he may choose to serve, a career in Social Work provides high levels of satisfaction in spite of the hard work that is generally required.

Clinical Social Work Career Requirements

While it may be the general belief that anyone with extra time can indulge in social work, the career demands as much professionalism as any other career. So the first requirement of a Clinical Social Work Career is a degree in Social Work. In addition, the job requires the aspirant to be emotionally mature, objective, and sensitive to the varying needs of different people and the range of their problems. A Social Worker must be capable of working with minimal supervision, be willing to take responsibility, have decision making acumen, an empathetic ear, and be able to effectively develop and maintain working relationships with clients and coworkers.

Online Degrees for Clinical Social Work

While a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) is the generally accepted and expected requirement for a job as Clinical Social Worker, majors in psychology, sociology, and related fields may also be acceptable in small community agencies. Positions such as that of the caseworker, mental health assistant, group home worker and residential counselor are available for the one with a bachelor's degree in social work. Coursework includes topics such as social work values and ethics, how to manage a culturally diverse clientele and at-risk populations, promotion of social and economic justice, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice, social research methods, and field education. Obtaining a minimum of 400 hours of supervised field experience is mandatory in accredited programs.

Some positions may require an advanced degree like a master's in Social Work. With a post graduate degree, it is possible to perform clinical work such as performing clinical assessments, managing large caseloads, assuming supervisory roles, and providing social services that match the needs of clients. Admission to the two year course of study is open to those who have graduated in social work, as well as in psychology, biology, sociology, economics, and political science. 900 hours of supervised field instruction or internship is mandatory. Those who go on to complete a doctorate in social work (DSW or Ph.D.) aspire to teach in college, university, or obtain research appointments.

It is necessary to obtain degrees from accredited educational institutions. Presently, the Council on Social Work Education has accredited 468 bachelor's programs and 196 master's programs in the US. 74 doctoral programs in social work have been listed by The Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education. It is the same with online degrees. We offer both accredited campus programs and online programs at top schools.

What is a very necessary requirement is a licensure, certification, or registration that may be required by the state that the aspirant wishes to work in. Most states give licensure to those with 2 years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.

Clinical Social Work Career Fields

Of all the jobs held by social workers in 2008, more than half were in healthcare and social assistance industries, and a third were employed by government agencies. Some prefer private practice; they must have at least a master's degree and a period of supervised work experience along with a network of contacts for referrals. Other career options for social workers include teaching, research, and consulting. Some of these workers help formulate government policies, by analyzing and advocating policy positions in government agencies, in research institutions, and on legislators' staffs.

Different types of social workers include the following:

• Social work administrators
• Researchers
• Planners and policymakers
• Child welfare social workers
• Family services social workers
• Child protective services social workers
• Medical and public health social workers
• Gerontological social workers
• Occupational social workers
• Substance abuse social workers

Different aspects of the job profile of a Social Worker include the following:

• Create and monitor programs that address the specific issues of the area of their responsibility; for example, child welfare social workers deal with issues like child abuse, homelessness, substance abuse, poverty, and violence.
• Research and analyze policies, programs, and regulations
• Identify social problems and suggest legislative and other solutions
• Help raise funds or write grants to support these programs
• Provide psychosocial support to individuals, families, or vulnerable populations
• Advise family caregivers, counsel patients, and help plan for specific needs
• Act as members of interdisciplinary teams
• Run support groups
• Work for hospitals, nursing and personal care facilities, individual and family services agencies, or local governments
• Provide services like therapy, outreach, crisis intervention, and social rehabilitation
• Facilitate clients' return to the community after a period of in-patient facilities
• Work in employee-assistance programs
• Establish private practice and be directly available to the client

It is obvious from the above that social workers can contribute in many diverse ways to the betterment of those around them, in their community. Licensed clinical social workers are as much a necessary part of civilized existence as a medical professional or a builder or a school teacher. That is what we are here for, to offer the best resources through our  campus-based  and online schools.

What Degree Do I Need?

• Human Resources
• Behavioral Science
• Social Work & Human Services