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Careers with a Bachelor's in Social Work

Make a Difference in Your Community

By earning a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) from the University of Kentucky, you’re laying the foundation for a rewarding and impactful career. Whether you want to pursue graduate study or enter the workforce immediately, the skills learned from the B.A. in Social Work will equip you to be a compassionate, empathetic and effective change agent in a variety of settings.

The need for experienced social workers is growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of 78,300 openings for social workers are projected each year over the decade, and overall employment of social workers is expected to grow 12% by 2030.1 UK’s CSWE-accredited online B.A. in Social Work program will prepare you for professional social work practice that has a substantial positive impact on the lives of those around you.

Acaiya Timmons

“Pace yourself and remember that self-care is important. Taking care of yourself first will allow you to make the best decisions and get the most out of college.”

– Acaiya Timmons ’23 shares her advice for new College of Social Work students

Child, Family and School Social Workers

$54,880/year2

As a child, family and school social worker, you’ll be responsible for providing essential assistance to children and their families. This can include arranging adoptions and finding foster homes as well as advising teachers and addressing truancy in schools.

Social and Community Service Managers

$74,000/year3

If you work as a social and community services manager, you will be tasked with coordinating and overseeing programs that contribute to improving public well-being. They typically perform duties such as analyzing the effectiveness of programs, writing proposals for funding, and working directly with community members.

Additional roles for BASW graduates

Our recent graduates are working in hospitals, community-based non-profits, K-12 schools, universities, residential treatment programs, the criminal justice system, and more. Job titles could include:

  • Social Work Case Manager
  • Substance Abuse Social Worker
  • Services Coordinator
  • Social Services Director

UK Career Services

Handshake Database

Tap into UK’s online job and employer database, exclusively for UK students and alumni. Students can access their Handshake account by visiting Handshake and utilizing their link blue log-in credentials to activate their account.

Alumni Association Events

Explore professional development workshops, and in-person and virtual networking opportunities. See career-related events.

Stuckert Career Center

Speak with a career advisor about job search strategies, résumé editing, career transition advice, and more. The Stuckert Career Center team can help research appropriate job openings based on your interests, assist you in drafting and revising a compelling cover letter, create a LinkedIn page or portfolio, and give you the confidence to perform impressively in an interview process.

Sources

  1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-2
  2. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211021.htm
  3. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm#tab-2