Why Become a Social Worker?

Whether you want to help individuals overcome challenges—from social and financial issues to mental illness and addiction—or develop large-scale solutions that work toward creating a more just world, earning a master of social work and becoming a social worker will enable you to empower the vulnerable and oppressed and improve the well-being of your community and society. 

Explore why social work is such a rewarding profession—and how earning a master of social work degree can prepare you for a variety of careers. 

Social Work Master’s Degrees

Earning a master’s degree in social work will equip you with the advanced knowledge that can prepare you for a diverse set of career opportunities. Graduate programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) offer several social work master’s degrees, including:

  • Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA)
  • Master of Social Work (MSW)
  • Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW)

No matter what path you want to pursue in the field, a master’s program can equip you with the specialized knowledge you need to become a social worker. You will also complete supervised fieldwork to gain hands-on experience. Once you have earned a master’s degree, you will be prepared to pursue licensure, which is required to practice in a clinical setting. 

Learn more about the different social work master’s degree options.

Earn Your Master of Social Work Online

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University is a national leader in social work education and research. Our top-ranked social work program produces socially conscious leaders who seek to inspire social change. 1

Online Social Work at CWRU, our CSWE-accredited online MSSA program, brings our 60-credit curriculum for social work leaders to individuals who want to create a more just world—no matter their location. The program is recognized as equivalent to an MSW.

What Can You Do with a Master of Social Work?

Driven by an increased demand for health care and social services, the overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 11 percent between 2018 and 2028.2 By becoming a social worker, you can find career opportunities in a variety of settings—schools, hospitals, government, nonprofit organizations and more—that range from clinical practice with individuals and families to leadership roles that challenge large-scale social systems. 

Graduates of social work degree programs have pursued roles including:

  • Community Engagement Director
  • Executive Director
  • Foundation Director
  • Policy Analyst
  • Program Director

Lead the Charge for Change at CWRU

Becoming a social worker is not just about starting a new job. It’s about pursuing a calling. As a student in the online MSSA program at the Mandel School, you will be joining our century-long tradition of excellence in social work.

We are committed to advancing individual and community well-being, to social and economic justice, and to the empowerment of all people. We want to prepare you to address the most pressing issues facing your community and lead the way to implementing lasting, positive change.

Why Do You Want to Be a Social Worker?

Let’s discuss. Take the next step toward putting your passion for social work into action. Request information today and an admissions counselor will reach out to discuss your career goals.

1 U.S. News and World Report, 2019. Return to footnote reference
2 Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of September 2019.Return to footnote reference