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

More than 37.9 million Americans experienced poverty in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Furthermore, in that same year, well over three million cases of child abuse were reported across the country. From homelessness to hunger, and from unemployment to physical and emotional safety, our society faces many issues. Social workers can advocate for and support individuals experiencing these issues and work toward increasing overall societal health. 

For many aspiring professionals, finding a lifelong career that allows them to serve and help others is of the utmost importance. Learning more about what you can do with a master’s in social work can help you choose a career that leads to real social justice and tangible societal change. 

The Basics of Social Work 

The International Federation of Social Workers defines social work as discovering positive ways to help people face their everyday challenges. Social work involves helping people shape their environments in socially responsible ways, and social workers provide the resources, support, and determination needed to succeed. 

Economically, for every $1 spent on social services in the United States, the national economy experiences a $3 return on that investment. In a time when so many people are suffering due to the impact of poverty, qualified social workers are more important than ever. 

What You Can Learn in a Master’s in Social Work Program 

A Master of Social Work (MSW) program aims to provide professionals with the education they need to facilitate social justice and equity. It builds on baccalaureate education and focuses on the following four primary goals:

• Preparing students to enhance the social status of individuals, families, and other groups of people through relationships and clinical-community practices 
• Showing students the value and importance of diversity, empowering them to promote social and economic justice 
• Preparing students to work within communities in a way that is relevant, effective, and innovative to further the practice of social work 
• Promoting learning through exposure to culturally rich and often challenging environments that provide ample opportunities for intercultural experience 

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

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the employment of social workers will grow by 7 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the average for all professions. Growing wage gaps leading to increasing poverty, homelessness, hunger, and abuse will drive this demand. The median annual salary for social workers was $58,380 as of May 2023, with the highest 10 percent earning roughly $94,910.

What can you do with a master’s in social work? The MSW degree program is designed to help future leaders understand the social and societal challenges they will face, allowing them to apply their skills in ways that best serve their communities. There are numerous career opportunities available, each of which offers a different approach to social work. 

Child Welfare Specialist

A child welfare specialist, or child welfare social worker, ensures that children are safe in their current living conditions. They may visit homes to meet with children and their families, evaluate foster and adoptive homes, help parents create care plans for their children, and work with teachers and doctors to help children obtain proper education and health care. 

According to Payscale, child welfare specialists earn a median salary of about $51,870 annually as of January 2024, though more experienced specialists can earn up to $67,000. 

Substance Use Counselor

A substance use counselor is someone who helps individuals, families, and groups of people understand and/or overcome substance misuse. They evaluate their clients’ mental and physical health and assess them for treatment readiness, develop and review treatment goals, help clients develop the skills required to recover from addictions, and keep records of their clients’ progress. 

Substance use counselors earned a median salary of about $53,710 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. The highest paid 10 percent earned more than $89,920, indicating room for salary growth. 

Specialized Social Worker

Numerous social work specializations are available to those who complete MSW degree programs. These include family support specialists, criminal justice social workers, hospice social workers, and geriatric social workers. 

The salaries for these careers vary significantly based on the chosen specialization, experience level, geographic location, and employer. For example, according to the BLS, healthcare social workers earn a median annual salary of $62,940 as of May 2023, while school social workers earn $53,940. 

School Counselor

School counselors work with students in elementary, junior high, and high school settings to provide guidance throughout their lives. They may serve as liaisons between teachers, students, and parents or help students achieve their academic and extracurricular goals. In many places, school counselors help students through personal issues like relationships and bullying. 

Per May 2023 data from the BLS, school and career counselors and advisors earned a median annual salary of about $61,710. However, the top 10 percent earned more than $100,050 per year. 

Professor of Social Work

A professor of social work teaches a variety of social work-related courses to university- or college-level students. As part of their roles, they assess classwork, input grades, tutor students, and collaborate with other teachers in the social work field. Some professors of social work write and publish research papers, and some contribute to textbooks. 

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for postsecondary social work educators was $75,020 in May 2023. 

Discover What You Can Do With a Master’s in Social Work from Tulane University 

Understanding what you can do with a master’s in social work can help you find the right career path and support individuals, families, communities, and companies. You can empower them to improve their environments and develop the kindness and empathy required to facilitate social justice and societal equity. 

The Online Master of Social Work degree program at Tulane University can give you the tools required to start or further a career in social work, whether you choose to work in substance use counseling or teach the next generation of social workers. Discover how you can make a difference in your community and facilitate positive change.