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Online Master of Social Work: Career Outlook

Make a Difference in Your Community and Career With an MSW.

Whether you currently work in the field or have the desire to start, the Master of Social Work degree from Our Lady of the Lake University can help you help others. As a social worker, you play an integral role in your community, empowering those in need to address the issues they face. Using the detailed knowledge provided with our focus on the Hispanic Population, you’ll be uniquely positioned to meet the needs of this rapidly growing community when you earn your Master’s in Social Work from OLLU.

Social workers with a master’s degree qualify themselves for the most impactful jobs in the profession. The job outlook for those with an MSW is strong, with employment projected to grow at a rate much faster than average over the next decade. You can pursue jobs in a variety of arenas, including health care, mental health, substance abuse, education and more.

  • 12% PROJECTED EMPLOYMENT GROWTH FROM 2020 TO 20301
  • 15% PROJECTED EMPLOYMENT GROWTH FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SOCIAL WORKERS FROM 2020 TO 2030 (HIGHEST AMONG ALL SOCIAL WORK SPECIALIZATIONS)1

MSW graduates have a positive job outlook. In fact, professionals with the MSW credential earn more than $13,000 more each year than BSW graduates,2 and a master’s degree has become a necessity for many types of practices. Earning a master’s degree sets you up for career success as you help others.

Medical/Clinical Social Worker:

$58,562/year

As a clinical social worker, you would help clients and their family members deal with difficult situations, as well as diagnose and treat emotional disorders and mental or behavioral problems.3 This position would require LCSW licensure, and thus completion of the licensed social worker exam following graduation.

Social and Community Service Manager:

$69,600/year

As a social service manager, you would coordinate and supervise social service programs and community organizations. The highest 10 percent earn more than $115,800 per year.4

Additional roles for Master of Social Work graduates:

  • Mental Health Social Worker
  • Marriage/Family Therapist
  • Child, Family, and School Social Worker
  • Substance Abuse Social Worker
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Program/Clinical Director
  • Policy/Advocacy Social Worker
  • Evaluation and Research Case Manager
  • Human Services Worker
  • Outpatient Health Specialist
  • Public Health Manager

Request More Information

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Applicable Skills: Put Your Knowledge to Work

When you complete this master’s program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate ethical principles, critical thinking and knowledge of human behavior in your work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
  • Apply a culturally competent perspective to your work with diverse communities
  • Analyze, formulate, advocate for and collaborate on social policy, advancing human rights and social justice
  • Conduct practice engagements, assessments, interventions and evaluations

Career Planning and Assessment

OLLU’s Center for Career Development and Testing (CCDT) is committed to supporting you in your spiritual, personal, academic and professional growth.

We offer testing, assessment, certification and professional development in accordance with the National College Testing Association’s (NCTA) professional and ethical guidelines.

Career Advising

Get assistance with career planning, job searching, résumé creation, and portfolio development.

Handshake

Explore internship and job postings, register for career events, and access professional resources and information, all through the convenient Handshake app.

Interview Preparation

Develop your interview skills with mock interviews, sample questions, direct feedback and a video training curriculum — all in our Big Interview online system.

FOCUS 2

Identify your skills profile and receive a personalized career assessment with FOCUS 2, a self-guided, interactive career planning program.

Sources:

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022 March 24). Social Workers. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved April 4, 2022 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.
  2. National Association of Social Workers (2021). Social Work Salaries. Retrieved August 25, 2021 from https://www.socialworkers.org/Careers/Career-Center/Kickstart-Your-Job-Hunt/Social-Work-Salaries.
  3. Payscale.com (2022 March 16). Average Clinical Social Worker Salary. Retrieved April 4, 2022 from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Social_Worker/Salary
  4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021 September 8). Social and Community Service Managers. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved April 4, 2022 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm.