AA in Pre-Social Work

University of Cincinnati

Overview

Social workers are community troubleshooters. Through counseling, referral services or policy-making and advocacy, they help individuals, families and groups cope with problems. Those in the area of planning and policy help people understand how social systems operate and prepare ways of bringing about needed change in institutions such as health services, housing or education. Those in the area of counseling provide a variety of therapies in a wide range of settings.

Career

Settings in which social workers are employed vary widely. In the public sector, they are employed primarily in departments of human resources, social services, mental health, health, housing, education and corrections. Those in the private sector work for nonprofit agencies, community and religious organizations, hospitals, nursing homes and other human service agencies. Some are also employed in business and industry, where they may counsel employees. A master of social work (MSW) degree is becoming more desirable and is generally required for positions in the mental health field, as well as for supervisory, administrative or research positions. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers 2016 Survey, the median salary for those with a bachelor's degree in social work is $43,000.