BSW programs prepare graduates for direct-service positions, such as mental health assistant or caseworker. Coursework includes social welfare policy, social work methods, applied research, child welfare, and social work for the aged. All BSW programs contain an internship or supervised fieldwork component, providing students the opportunity to develop practical skills in areas important to the profession, such as understanding group dynamics, interviewing, decision-making, and problem-solving.

Step 2: Consider a Master's Degree

An MSW can be undertaken with any undergraduate degree, though some programs may require certain prerequisite coursework in related areas, such as psychology and sociology, for applicants not holding a BSW. The MSW is required to become a clinical social worker or to work in schools or the healthcare system. These degree programs typically take two years to complete (though some programs offer more flexible 3 and 4-year degree plans) and prepare students for advanced practice in their specialties.

Students in these programs have a variety of concentrations and specialties to choose from, including mental health, families and children, global practice, older adults and families, and behavioral and physical health. Students may expand on professional components of social work, such as clinical assessment, caseload management, and leadership skills. Completion of an internship or supervised practice is required of all MSW students.

Step 3: Become Licensed

According to the BLS, all states have licensure or certification requirements for becoming a social worker. Licenses for non-clinical social workers are usually optional; rules vary for each state and can be found through the Association of Social Work Boards. State licensing requirements for clinical social workers typically involve 3,000 hours or two years of clinical experience along with completion of the MSW.

Step 4: Consider Credentialing

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers voluntary credentialing at three levels for MSW-educated social workers. Each credential has varying eligibility requirements that may include specific hours of continuing professional education, clinical social work experience, and professional evaluations from colleagues.

There are also voluntary specialty certifications for both bachelor's- and master's- educated social workers in clinical social work, healthcare social work, gerontology, and several other areas, which may improve employment prospects.

Step 5: Maintain Licensure and Credentials

Social work licensure and certification, including specialty certification, must be maintained by completing continuing education courses. Requirements for the number of hours and the types of courses that can be taken vary for each state. By maintaining these credentials, social workers will continue to create career possibilities for employment and ensure that they remain employable.

On the job, direct social workers will:

Clinical social workers will:

Interpersonal skills. Being able to work with different groups of people is essential for social workers. They need strong people skills to foster healthy and productive relationships with their clients and colleagues.

Listening skills. Clients talk to social workers about challenges in their lives. To effectively help, social workers must be able to listen to and understand their clients’ needs.

Organizational skills. Helping and managing multiple clients, often assisting with their paperwork or documenting their treatment, requires good organizational skills.

Problem-solving skills. Social workers need to develop practical and innovative solutions to their clients’ problems.

Time-management skills. Social workers often have many clients. They must effectively manage their time to provide adequate service to all of their clients.

Median pay (hourly): 22.07 USD (2015)

Projected 10-year growth: 12% (2014)

Number of jobs: 649,300 (2014)

In addition, social workers must have superior organizational and information management skills. They may be responsible for managing multiple clients or projects and often must maintain detailed records. Social workers should possess discretion and a good understanding of ethical standards. Those employed in clinical work, in particular, may be privy to sensitive data that must be kept confidential. The ability to find resources — and to potentially think outside the box when doing so — are also key attributes. Social workers need to have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the policies involved in coordinating services for clients. If a social worker is trying to secure government or nonprofit funds for a group or individual, she must know the proper channels to go through, the paperwork that needs to be completed, the approvals she needs and other aspects of the process that clients may not be familiar with.