BSW vs. MSW: 3 Reasons to Pursue Your Master's in Social Work
Social work is essential to improving the well-being of individuals, families and communities. As social challenges like mental health issues, poverty and systemic injustices continue to rise, the demand for skilled social workers is more significant than ever. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that job vacancies for social workers will increase by 7% through 2032, reflecting the urgent need for qualified professionals in community and clinical settings.
It’s helpful to understand the difference between a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) when considering your next career step. A BSW provides foundational knowledge and entry-level qualifications, enabling graduates to work in areas like case management or community outreach. An MSW prepares professionals for advanced practice, especially licensed clinical social work. Let's take a look at each pathway to social work careers.
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What is a BSW?
A BSW is the foundational degree for any social work career. This undergraduate degree combines general education classes, introductory coursework on social policy and human behavior, and field placements. BSW students typically complete their degrees in four years of full-time study.
BSW State Licensure Options
BSW program graduates start as generalists supervised by licensed social workers (LSW) and other experienced professionals. They work with their clients to overcome challenges like unemployment and chronic health problems. Early-career social workers need state licensure before putting their BSW degrees to work.
Generalist social workers with BSWs qualify for Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Baccalaureate Social Work (LBSW) degrees. The licensing title and application process vary by state. For example, the Virginia Board of Social Work requires the following from LBSW applicants:
- Transcript of graduation from an accredited BSW program
- Successful completion of the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelors level exam
- Payment of a $100 application fee
- A current self-query report from the National Practitioners Data Bank (NPDB)
Career Options for BSW Graduates
The BLS notes that child, family and school social work was the most common occupation for social workers. Additional career paths for BSW graduates include healthcare social work and mental health social work. The top employers for social workers include:
- Individual and family services (17%)
- Local government (14%)
- State government (13%)
- Educational services (9%)
- Community and vocational rehabilitation services (3%)
Generalist social workers may find opportunities to help their communities outside these traditional routes. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) identifies career options ranging from working with international development organizations to counseling workers in Employee Assistance Programs.
What is an MSW?
Social work professionals pursue MSW degrees to level up their careers and their opportunity to impact their clients/patients. The MSW emphasizes advanced practice skills by requiring supervised experiences in various settings including clinical settings and advanced coursework. MSW candidates can complete these requirements in two years of full-time study with more flexible online options for working professionals.
MSW State Licensure Options
Hands-on clinical experiences in MSW programs prepare social workers for licensure as LMSWs. WIth additional supervision hours, they can apply for LCSW (clinical) licensure. An LCSW can independently diagnose and treat clients for anxiety, stress and other mental health issues. The LCSW licensure process is more extensive than the LBSW or LSW processes, reflecting the increased responsibility for licensees.
State licensing boards require completed MSW degrees as part of their LCSW applications. The requirements of LCSW applicants vary depending on your location. The Virginia Board of Social Workers requires the following before LCSW licensure:
- Completion of at least 3,000 hours of supervised post-graduate experience
- This requirement includes a minimum of 1,380 hours of direct client experience
- A passing score on the ASWB Clinical level exam
- Payment of a $165 application fee
- A current self-query report from the NPDB
Career Options for MSW Graduates
MSW graduates who earn their LCSW licenses are well-positioned for careers in mental health treatment. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis found that social workers were the largest segment of America’s behavioral health workforce in 2023. LCSWs will remain in demand for the foreseeable future with more than 65 million Americans in need of diagnosis and treatment.
Eighty-seven percent of surveyed MSW graduates work directly with individuals, families and communities in their work. The NASW identifies other career options for MSW holders including academic research and non-profit administration. Social workers can also use their graduate degrees and experience in public policy settings.
BSW vs. MSW at a Glance
Here is a chart summarizing the differences between the BSW and MSW:
|
Feature |
BSW |
MSW |
|
Degree Type |
Undergraduate |
Graduate |
|
Typical Length of Enrollment |
4 years |
2 years |
|
Entry-Level Licensure |
LSW/LBSW |
LMSW |
|
Career Opportunities |
Generalist roles |
Advanced practice |
Why Choose an MSW?
A BSW can launch your career but an MSW raises the ceiling on what you can accomplish. Pursuing a graduate degree may seem daunting, considering the required time, energy and money. There are three key reasons why an MSW is a wise investment in your professional future.
1. LCSW Licensure
LCSW licensure enables social workers to provide mental health services that cannot be offered by generalists with LSW or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) licenses. With an LCSW, you can open your own practice or collaborate with other LCSWs on specialized services for your clients. You can also shift your focus to meet the needs of your community, whether it is serving a specific age group or innovating new counseling methods.
You don’t need to enter private practices to realize the benefits of LCSW licensure. Employers may offer bonuses or higher salaries in non-clinical settings for employees who maintain licenses. There are also opportunities for supervisory and administrative roles that may not be available to generalist social workers.
2. Higher Ceiling for Salaries
Graduate degrees tend to increase potential career earnings for their holders compared to bachelor’s degrees. This trend applies to social work careers with MSW holders earning more than their BSW counterparts. Research from NASW found that those with MSWs earned an average of $13,000 more per year than social workers who held BSWs.
Specialization and experience further enhance compensation for MSW graduates. NASW identified hospital inpatient facilities and government agencies as the best-paying employers for social workers with MSWs. BLS data show that the top 10 percent of earners in the social work profession earned more than $94,910 per year.
3. Job Satisfaction
Making an impact and helping others are common reasons for entering the social work profession. Social workers achieve high job satisfaction when they achieve these goals and feel respected by their employers. Surveyed MSW graduates reported high satisfaction with their positions (90.4%) and benefits (82.6%) after completing their graduate degrees.
You can build a rewarding career in social work with an MSW from a leading university. A respected MSW program prepares you for advanced practice in clinical settings and leadership roles. Marymount University’s Online MSW opens the door to the next steps in your social work career.
Earn Your MSW at Marymount University
This innovative degree prepares graduates for advanced practice through online courses and in-person practicum hours. A 60-credit curriculum taught by experienced practitioners emphasizes ethical and evidence-based practice. Online MSW candidates build the skills necessary to serve their communities in courses including:
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- Advanced Clinical Practice I: Children and Families
- Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis: Across the lifespan
- Social Work in a Multicultural Society
- Social Work Administration and Ethical Issues in Clinical Social Work
- Social Work Evaluation and Policy
Marymount University helps social work students find supervised experiences in clinical settings near their communities. Each student completes 900 practicum hours throughout their enrollment. All of the requirements for the Online MSW can be completed in three years of part-time study.
The university’s Student Success Advisors assist Online MSW candidates from enrollment through graduation. Graduates become members of a global alumni network and benefit from Marymount University’s proximity to Washington, D.C. A Marymount University degree carries a lot of weight with employers given its strong national reputation.
Set yourself up for success in the social work profession with the Online MSW at Marymount University.