A degree in social work prepares you to build a career rooted in service, support, and social change. Whether you're earning a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a Master of Social Work (MSW), your education gives you the tools to work directly with people and communities or shape the systems around them.
The path you take depends on your level of education, your interests, and whether you want to provide clinical services, develop programs, lead organizations, or influence policy.
What You Can Do With a Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW)
A BSW prepares you for entry-level roles that focus on helping people access resources and navigate challenges. These jobs don’t require clinical licensure and often center around case management and advocacy.
With a BSW, you can work as a:
- Case manager
- Family support worker
- Residential counselor
- Community outreach coordinator
- Foster care or child welfare specialist
Many of these roles exist in settings like nonprofits, schools, community agencies, and health systems. A BSW also sets you up to apply for an advanced standing MSW program, which can shorten your graduate study time.
What You Can Do With a Master’s in Social Work (MSW)
A Master of Social Work expands your career options significantly. With an MSW, you can move into clinical work, leadership roles, or specialized fields like healthcare, school social work, and criminal justice.
MSW careers include:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- School social worker
- Medical social worker
- Mental health therapist
- Program director or nonprofit manager
- Hospice and palliative care social worker
- Substance use counselor
- Policy analyst or advocate
If you're planning to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, an MSW is required in most states. You'll also need to complete supervised hours and pass the ASWB Clinical Exam. AATBS offers targeted ASWB exam prep to help social workers prepare for licensure with confidence.
Work Settings for Social Workers
No matter your degree level, social workers are needed in a wide range of environments:
- Schools and universities
- Hospitals and primary care clinics
- Correctional facilities and reentry programs
- Nonprofits and advocacy organizations
- Local and state government agencies
- Mental health and substance use treatment centers
Some roles involve direct work with individuals and families, while others focus on designing programs, leading teams, or changing systems through policy and research.
A Degree That Adapts to You
One of the most valuable things about a social work degree is that it’s flexible. Whether you're drawn to mental health, education, healthcare, or community development, your training in human behavior, ethics, and systems thinking gives you options to grow and adapt throughout your career.
And if you’re thinking about pursuing licensure, AATBS social work exam prep can support you from study through success. Their tools are designed for BSW and MSW graduates who are preparing to take the next step in their professional journey.