What Can You Do With a Master’s in Social Work?

There are many different types of social workers, and a Master of Social Work can prepare you to work as a therapist or mental health counselor, school social worker, or even a travel social worker, among other social work careers. Social workers of all types are in demand, with mental health counselors and substance abuse social worker jobs in particular expected to grow 12 percent by 2033. 

First, let’s talk about the social workers who assess, diagnose, treat and help prevent mental illness, also known as clinical social workers. These social workers operate in a variety of settings and can work with individuals, groups or families. A master’s in social work is often the minimum requirement to earn licensure as a clinical social worker. In Ohio, for example, to work as a clinical social worker, you’ll need a Master of Social Work degree and 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. 

Licensed clinical social workers may work as mental health counselors or therapists – either for an organization or in private practice. These social workers help clients with issues such as self-esteem and stress management, while working to promote overall mental and emotional health. 

Other types of social workers (who may also be trained as clinical social workers) include health care social workers, substance abuse social workers and school social workers. Health care social workers, as you may have guessed, work in health care settings and assist patients with the transition from the hospital to their homes as they manage their illness or recover from their hospital stay. Substance abuse social workers help clients who are recovering from addiction by connecting them with support groups and treatment programs. School social workers help students succeed academically and socially while partnering with the student’s teachers and family to support positive growth and development. 

Finally, if you want to be a social work leader, you may be interested in becoming a supervisory social worker. A supervisory social worker leads a team of other social workers, ensuring their practice meets ethical standards, while supporting each team member’s professional development. 

Social workers with an MSW degree and the appropriate licensure, such as their LICSW, can open their own private social work practice. These private social workers can independently diagnose and treat mental and emotional health issues in their clients, without the need for supervision. Opening your own social work private practice allows for greater flexibility in setting your schedule and determining your caseload. While being your own boss can be freeing, “going it alone” as a private practice social worker comes with its own pros and cons.

Travel social work is an exciting career for social workers with a master’s degree. Similar to travel nursing, travel social workers accept short-term contracts in communities around the country, or even internationally. Travel social workers can fill in where they are needed most, often working for hospitals or local government agencies. It’s important to note that social work licensing varies by location, but multi-state licenses may soon become a reality, making social workers more mobile – and marketable – than ever. 

Master of Social Work graduates are also qualified for roles in education and benefits administration at the local or state government level.  

If you’re interested in teaching, a master’s degree is a must. Post-secondary social work instructors teach courses, conduct research and prepare students for their own careers in social work. These positions are on the rise, and social work teachers can earn $80,000 per year on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

Social workers in benefits administration learn the landscape of public assistance and work to connect their clients to critical resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security and public housing. In May 2023, the median annual wages for social workers in local and state government was between $59,000 and $64,000 annually, per the BLS. 

There’s a lot you can do with a Master of Social Work, whether you want to work one-on-one with clients, serve in a school setting, or prepare future social workers for the field. No matter their specialty or work environment, social workers must possess a strong understanding of the resources available to support their clients. Put simply, social workers are advocates – for their clients, their communities and the profession as a whole. 

Now that you’ve discovered what you can do with a Master of Social Work, are you ready to join the field? To learn more about Ohio State’s online Master of Social Work program, contact our enrollment team today and begin your journey to a rewarding social work career.