Social Work Is Everywhere: Download Your MSW Career Guide
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Social work is a dynamic field that evolves to meet the changing needs of communities. Graduates of the online Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Social Work can pursue many types of social work careers, from child welfare and school social work to healthcare, public policy and community organizing. The job outlook for social workers remains strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% growth in social work employment from 2024 to 2034, with about 74,000 openings projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Nationally, more than 543,000 social work licenses were active as of 2023, according to the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), with about 30% held by professionals with a master’s degree. Child, family and school social work continues to account for the highest concentration of professionals in the field, according to BLS, while O*NET OnLine projects much faster than average growth (7% or higher through 2034) for both healthcare social work and mental health and substance abuse social work, making them two of the field’s strongest-growing specialties for MSW graduates. Individuals pursuing less traditional social work careers may be surprised by opportunities such as these:
- Community service manager
- Policy analyst
- Emergency management specialist
- Correctional counselor
- Lobbyist
These are just a few of the paths an MSW can open. The Social Work Is Everywhere MSW career guide linked below covers many more.
What’s Inside the Career Guide
The Social Work Is Everywhere MSW career guide gives a full visual overview of the social work field. It is organized across 12 distinct practice areas. For each area, the guide identifies common career paths, and the roles MSW graduates typically pursue. The 12 areas covered include:
- Clinical social work
- Community organizing social work
- Social worker employed in a justice setting
- Disaster preparedness social work
- Forensic social work
- Gerontology social work
- Mental health social work
- Policy social work
- Rural social work
- School and child welfare social work
- Substance use social work
- Veteran and military social work
Across social work’s core specialty areas, O*NET OnLine data shows employers consistently look for strong skills in active listening, social perceptiveness and sound judgment. This MSW career guide offers a clear picture of where the degree can take you, whether you are just starting out or already narrowing in on a specialization.
To explore specific roles and salary data in more depth, browse this complete careers and salary guide. When you are ready to take the next step, get the complete guide below.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers career development resources at every stage of practice. These range from licensure guidance to continuing education. Request more information about UK’s online MSW degree to learn what’s next for you.
Ready to pursue your own path in social work? Explore the University of Kentucky’s online MSW program and start building your career today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Social Work Is Everywhere guide include?
The guide breaks down 12 distinct social work practice areas, from clinical and mental health work to rural and disaster preparedness social work, and outlines the career paths and roles that MSW graduates commonly pursue in each.
Is the University of Kentucky’s online MSW program accredited?
Yes. All coursework in UK’s online MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the field’s national accrediting body for social work education.
How long does it take to complete UK’s online MSW program?
It depends on your starting point: UK’s Advanced Standing MSW, for applicants who already hold a BSW, can be completed in as few as two semesters, while the Regular Standing MSW takes as few as four semesters.
What career paths can an MSW open up beyond traditional social work settings?
Beyond direct practice, MSW graduates pursue roles such as community service manager, policy analyst, emergency management specialist, correctional counselor and lobbyist, among many others detailed in the full guide.
About the University of Kentucky’s Online MSW Program
The University of Kentucky’s online MSW program prepares students for licensure and practice across the full range of social work specialties. All coursework is accredited by CSWE, the field’s national accrediting body, and is delivered fully online through UK’s College of Social Work.
Students can pair their degree with one of seven stackable certificates, including Child Welfare Practice, Clinical Social Work, Military Behavioral Health, School Social Work, Substance Use Disorder, Sport Social Work, Social Work-Informed Library Service or build an Individualized Plan of Study around their own career goals. Working professionals can complete the program without relocating or pausing their careers.
Graduates leave prepared to pursue roles across the many practice areas outlined in this guide. These include clinical practice, healthcare systems, schools, child welfare agencies, government and nonprofit organizations. Whichever path a graduate chooses, the program’s coursework and supervised fieldwork build the skills employers seek.