Maintain your current schedule while earning your
degree
Like many career choices, becoming a social worker is now
possible via online education programs. You can study at your
convenience, setting your classes and study hours around your
own work schedule. If you can't manage a full class load,
you can take your courses at your own speed, finishing at
a pace that allows you to keep working while you "attend"
your classes from the comfort of your own living room or computer
desk.
All degree levels—from associates' degrees to doctoral degrees—are
available through online study. Since the need for social
workers is great and growing, many students are able to obtain
jobs after completing only the associates' degree. The employer
will then often help pay for continued study, enabling the
student to obtain bachelor and advanced degrees at a much
lower cost.
If you would prefer to administer the programs or oversee
the social workers, you might consider degrees such as a degree
in Social Work Administration, a master's degree in Human
Services, or a Ph.D. in human services. Those with advanced
degrees often receive public speaking opportunities whereby
issues affecting an entire community can be addressed. Be
aware, however, that while bachelor and even master's degrees
may be available entirely online, many universities have some
kind of residency requirement for Ph.D. candidates.
Make a living and help humanity
Few careers have the hands-on personal responsibility along
with a real sense of humanitarianism that comes with social
work. You could be working directly with individuals, families,
children, teenagers in settings ranging from schools to crisis
centers and hospitals. Your clients could be people trying
to overcome substance abuse problems, physical abuse or unemployment.
You could also be the one trying to match an adoptive family
with a suitable child. You could be instrumental in making
sure a child with special needs gets the appropriate care
and attention in his school, or you could be encouraging and
counseling teens in the complicated web of teen pregnancy.
Social workers help people and communities solve their problems
by educating them, advising them, and providing needed support.
And since humanity will always have problems, social workers
will never be in danger of extinction.
Possibilities for Social Work Careers
The following list represents just a few of the many degree
possibilities available for those wanting a career in social
work:
