Online Social Work Degree Programs

Online social work degree programs are ideal for those who prefer a flexible learning schedule that will allow them to complete their coursework at their own pace, without having to attend traditional on-campus classes.

What is Social Work?

Social work is the process of assisting and helping families and individuals through difficult periods in their lives. Social workers are involved in providing support, counseling and advice to people experiencing difficult personal issues such as homelessness, depression, disability and substance abuse.

A degree in social work opens up job opportunities in places such as foster homes, correctional treatment centers, schools, and state government which is the largest employer of social workers.

Undertaking an education program in social work requires the learner to choose on a specialization, such as mental health and substance abuse social work, child social work, school or family social work, clinical social work and public health, or medical social work.

Online Social Work Degree Programs and Schools

Capella University offers the following online social work degrees that include a variety of psychology, human services, and counseling specializations:

• MS in Human Services
• MS in Public Health - Social and Behavioral Sciences
• MS in Human Services - Social and Community Services
• PhD in Human Services - Social and Community Services

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University of Phoenix Online offers the following related social work degree online programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Human Services/Management
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology

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Walden University is an accredited institution and one of the largest online universities. Walden offers bachelors, masters, and PhD programs, specializing in psychology, public administration, counseling, and human and health services, among others. Specifically, Walden offers the following online social work degree programs:

• M.S. in Psychology / Crisis Management & Response
M.S. in Psychology / Health Psychology
• M.S. in Psychology / Organizational Psychology & Nonprofit Management
• M.S. in Psychology / Organizational Psychology and Development
• M.S. in Psychology / Program Evaluation & Research
• M.S. in Psychology / Psychology of Culture
• M.S. in Psychology / Psychology, Public Administration & Social Change
• M.S. in Psychology / Social Psychology
• Ph.D. in Psychology / Clinical Psychology
• Ph.D. in Psychology / Counseling Psychology
• Ph.D. in Psychology / Health Psychology
• Ph.D. in Psychology / School Psychology
• Post-Doctoral Psychology Certificate
• Ph.D. in Psychology / Clinical Assessment
• Ph.D. in Psychology / Clinical Child Psychology

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Social work often involves working in community-based settings or with large groups of people. However, a social work degree online program can also be the first step toward advancement into careers that involve offering personalized services, one client at a time. For example, many social workers go on to become psychologists, counselors, and therapists.

Online Social Work Degree Courses, Education, and Training

An online social work degree may include courses in ethics, morality, and cultural values. You may also learn about social and economic justice issues, social practice, and how to deal with a culturally and socially diverse client base. A bachelor's degree in social work is essential if you want to become a career, school, youth or marriage counselor, or eventually work for a non-profit organization.

However, a masters degree in social work is quickly becoming the standard requirement for those wishing to work in clinical or health settings, and a doctorate in social work is necessary for teaching, research, and consultancy roles. In some states, it is necessary to become state-certified before you are allowed to practice social work or counseling.

Salary and Employment Outlook for Graduates of Online Social Work Degree Programs

The demand for qualified social workers is expected to continue increasing, particularly in rural areas, until at least 2010. According to the US Department of Labor May 2007 the mean annual salary for child, family, and school social workers was $41,920. In addition, the mean annual salary for medical and public health social workers was $46,320, while that of mental health and substance abuse social workers was $39,380.

Correctional treatment specialists, working for institutions such as prisons, earned a mean annual salary of $47,980. However, the mean annual salary for a school psychologist in 2007 was $68,150, while post-secondary social work teachers earned a mean annual wage of $61,140. The social workers who went to private practice typically earned more pay.

Human Services | Psychology | Counseling