Exploring Social Work and Counseling Careers
Help is a 4-Letter Word. Social Workers Swear By It.
Do you find that people are at ease in your presence or that people are drawn to you for advice? Social workers and counselors are nurturers who are passionate about upholding social justice, human rights, and equality. They sympathize with the emotional, and often physical, needs of others.
Social workers help people cope with problems like mental illness, poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, illness, disability, or inadequate housing. A social worker can also arrange adoptions or find foster children good homes. Alternatively, as a social worker, you could opt to teach the subject in a school setting or be on the research side of things ? working to develop, implement, and improve social programs.
Ultimately, social workers use their talents for empathy to improve social conditions, encourage socioeconomic well-being, and create more opportunities for people to live happy, satisfying lives.
You?ll need at least a bachelor?s degree to enter the field, but a graduate degree is becoming the standard for many positions, especially those in a clinical setting. To teach social work or counseling at the university level, a doctorate is usually required. All states require some kind of license, certification, or registration process to become a licensed clinical social worker, so be sure to check with yours for its specific regulations and procedures.
When considering the counseling aspect of social work, you might find yourself asking, How is a social worker different than a psychologist? Great question! There are three basic differences ? the theories behind the subjects differ, as do the treatment methods and academic requirements. A social worker is more likely to look at how environmental factors and social elements have shaped a person or situation, whereas psychologists are more likely to use diagnostic criteria and look to a person?s childhood and other formative events to understand a patient. Social workers help people through counseling or referral to helpful social programs, while psychologists use talk therapy and behavior modification to treat patients. The last important distinction is that a master?s in social work is the highest degree you would need before being allowed to apply for licensure and start working in the field. A psychologist, on the other hand, must obtain a doctorate degree before seeking licensure and practicing.
You might wonder where you?d work as a social worker. Well, 50 percent of jobs in social work are in health care and human services, and 30 percent work in local or state government agencies. With a degree in social work or counseling, you could work in schools, hospitals and other health care facilities, child or public welfare agencies, within the criminal justice system, or in a private practice.
Regionally, you?ll probably find that jobs in rural areas are easier to come by than in urban locales. However, the social work industry as a whole is expected to grow faster than average between now and 2016. Overall, jobs in social work are supposed to increase by 24 percent over that time period, and positions in medical health social work in particular are projected to grow by 30 percent!
Earn Your Social Work Degree Or Counseling Degree Online
Find Online Social Work Programs Or Counseling Degree Programs
Nothing in the world is as satisfying as reaching a goal or a dream. Get started today by requesting additional information about requirements, tuition, financial aid, and other information from schools that offer programs that match your needs:
Explore Online Counseling Degree Programs
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Grand Canyon University
Campus
Don't Miss a Day of Your Future! Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Entrepreneurship. Classes start soon!
Programs:- MS in Addiction Counseling
- B.S. in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse
- BS Psychology
- Phoenix
Walden University
Online
Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.
Programs:- Ph.D. in Psychology - Counseling Psychology
- Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
- Ph.D. in Human Services - Clinical Social Work
Liberty University
Campus
We keep our tuition affordable because it is an integral part of the overall mission for our university. The vision of our Chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., is to keep Liberty's Distance Learning Program affordable so as many individuals as possible can experience a Christ-centered education and become equipped for excellence, professionally as well as spiritually.
Programs:- MA in Professional Counseling
- MA in Professional Counseling - 60 Hour
- PhD in Counseling - Professional Counseling
- Lynchburg
University of Phoenix
Campus
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs:- MS in Counseling/Mental Health Counseling
- MS in Counseling / Marriage, Family and Child Therapy
- MS in Counseling/Marriage and Family Counseling
- East Lansing
- Santa Teresa
- Westminster
- Lone Tree
- Carolina
- Santa Fe
- Troy
- Portage
- Southfield
- Albuquerque
- Clinton Township
- Ann Arbor
- Flint
- Guaynabo
- Phoenix
- Grand Rapids
- Livonia
- Aurora
- Online
- Salt Lake City
- Palm Beach Gardens
- Salida
- Jacksonville
- Las Vegas
- Rancho Cordova
- Elk Grove
- Sacramento
- Plantation
- Manassas
- Reston
- Nogales
- Houston
- Arlington
- Fairfield
- Dallas
- Oakland
- Miami
- Kansas City
- Hurst
- Colorado Springs
- Sandy Springs
- Orlando
- Gardena
- Reno
- Tigard
- Tulsa
- Springfield
- Madison
- Irving
- Maitland
- Diamond Bar
- Hillsboro
- Pleasant Grove
- Bossier City
- Los Angeles
- Ontario
- Mesa
- Livermore
- Chandler
- San Antonio
- Chattanooga
- Woodland Hills
- Little Rock
- Fairfax
- Lathrop
- Pasadena
- Roseville
- Duluth
- Milwaukee
- Daytona Beach
- Brookfield
- Spring
- Virginia Beach
- San Francisco
- Austin
- St. Louis
- Tampa
- Richmond
- Meridian
- Fresno
- Augusta
- Flowood
- Killeen
- Henderson
- San Jose
- Oklahoma City
- Appleton
- Bakersfield
- Sarasota
- Hollywood
- Minneapolis
- Fort Lauderdale
- Sugar Land
- Columbus
- Marietta
- Indianapolis
- Temple Terrace
- St Louis Park
- Macon
- Saint Paul
- San Diego
- Clearwater
- Costa Mesa
- Overland Park
- Nashville
- Baton Rouge
- Salem
- Visalia
- Fort Collins
- Metairie
- Snellville
- Saint Louis
- Renton
- Louisville
- Culver City
- Lancaster
- Warrenville
- Atlanta
- Murrieta
- Bellevue
- San Bernardino
- Chicago
- Washington
- Mililani
- Schaumburg
- McDonough
- Saint George
- Clearfield
- Beale AFB
- El Centro
- Chula Vista
Kaplan University
Campus
Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.
Programs:- BS in Psychology - Substance Abuse
- MS in Psychology - Addictions
- BS in Human Services
- Fort Lauderdale
Post University
Campus
Getting your Online degree does not have to be impersonal. At Post University Online, you will engage in meaningful career-oriented programs with like-minded students and receive personal attention from our dedicated faculty within a caring and supportive learning environment. Earn your bachelor's degree, associate's degree, or certificate in one of the many programs offered by Post University entirely online.
Programs:- B.S. in Human Services / Counseling
- B.S. in Human Services / Human Services Management
- B.S. in Human Services
- Waterbury
USC School of Social Work
Online
The USC School of Social Work’s MSW@USC offers the opportunity to earn a Master of Social Work degree through the Virtual Academic Center without relocating to Southern California. This online program is designed to prepare social workers with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in world, improve the lives of people and communities and eradicate pressing societal problems.
Programs:- Master of Social Work
North Park University
Campus
North Park's School of Adult Learning offers you a convenient and affordable way to finish your bachelor's degree while working full-time. Face-to-face and online courses mean convenience and scheduling flexibility, and you can choose from one of seven different majors, including business administration, criminal justice, and nonprofit management.
Programs:- Counseling Psychology
- Grayslake
- Chicago
Argosy University
Campus
At Argosy University we prepare individuals for careers that make a difference, whether in business, education, or psychology. Learn how you can make a difference in your life, and the lives of others.
Programs:- Counselor Ed & Supervision (EdD)
- Counseling Psychology (EdD)
- Counseling Psychology (MA)
- Denver
- Sarasota
- Tampa
- Dallas
- Alameda
- San Diego
- Schaumburg
- Honolulu
- San Bernardino
- Santa Monica
- Orange
- Arlington
- Seattle
- Draper
- Nashville
- Chicago
- Atlanta
- Phoenix
- Saint Paul
Argosy University Online
Campus
Earn your degree without disrupting your life with Argosy University's flexible online programs in business, education and psychology. Benefit from experienced faculty, personalized service, and a supportive community.
Programs:- Psychology - Substance Abuse concentration (BA)
- BA Psychology
- Phoenix
Colorado Christian University
Campus
With a heritage dating back to 1914, Colorado Christian University is committed to offering a complete education that develops students intellectually, professionally, and spiritually. As the only member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities located in the mainline Rocky Mountains region, and just a few minutes from downtown Denver, CCU is uniquely positioned to offer students a distinctive variety of educational opportunities and experiences. CCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs designed to equip students to become leaders in their careers, communities, families, and in the world. CCU students are enrolled at the main campus near Denver and at satellite locations throughout Colorado.
Programs:- M.A. Counseling
- Psychology, B.S.
- General Studies
- Denver
- Grand Junction
- Englewood
- Sterling
- Colorado Springs
Stratford Career Institute
Online
Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods.
Programs:- Psychology/Social Work
- Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist
The University of Liverpool
Campus
Advance your career and increase your earning potential with a masters or a doctoral degree from the University of Liverpool. Study online in small groups of business professionals.
Programs:- MSc in Applied Psychology (Mental Health Psychology)
- MSc in Applied Psychology (General Psychology)
- Online
Kaplan University International
Campus
Programs:
- BS in Psychology/Substance Abuse
- MS in Psychology - Addictions
- BS in Human Services/Child and Family Welfare
- Fort Lauderdale
CTS Canadian Career College
Campus
Give your career a boost with training from CTS Canadian Career College. CTS Canadian Career College is an institution that prides itself on success, in our graduates and ultimately in ourselves. We have grown to 3 campuses but still offer personal instruction and administration.
Programs:- Addictions Intervention Counselling
- Community Services Worker
- Personal Support Worker
- North Bay
- Sudbury
- Barrie
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