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:
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Explore Online Social Work Degree Programs

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

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 - Human Services Administration

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

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

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
• B.S. in Human Services / Human Services Management

Campus Locations:

Waterbury

Hypnosis Motivation Institute

Campus

Get your career started with the Hypnosis Motivation Institute. Our extensive program can be completed in one year and includes training and a clinical internship for hands-on learning.

Programs:

• Hypnotherapist Certification

Campus Locations:

Tarzana

Argosy University

Campus

Argosy University offers doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degree programs to students through its five colleges: Psychology andBehavioral Sciences, Education, Business, Health Sciences, and Undergraduate Studies, as well as certificate programs in many areas.

Programs:

• Counseling Psychology (EdD)
• Counseling Psychology (MA)
• Substance Abuse (BA)

Campus Locations:

San Bernardino
Alameda
Santa Monica
Orange
San Diego

Argosy University Online

Campus

Argosy University offers doctoral, master's, bachelor's and associate's degree programs to students through its five colleges: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Education, Business, Health Sciences, and Undergraduate Studies.

Programs:

• Psychology - Substance Abuse concentration (BA)
• BA Psychology

Campus Locations:

Phoenix

University of the Rockies

Online

Join the community of thought leaders at University of the Rockies. Pursue your graduate degree from the University’s School of Professional Psychology or School of Organizational Leadership.

Programs:

• MA in Psychology, Career Management and Counseling Specialization
• MA in Psychology, Mental Health Administration
• Doctor of Psychology, Mental Health Administration

Career Colleges of America

Campus

Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.

Programs:

• Alcohol and Drug Counseling

Campus Locations:

Gardena
Los Angeles
South Gate
San Bernardino

Intercoast Colleges

Campus

Get your career started with Intercoast Colleges. We offer a number of certificate programs in a variety of fields, including medical, allied health, massage therapy, nursing, and electrical training.

Programs:

• Alcohol & Drug Counseling Studies

Campus Locations:

Riverside
Carson
Orange
Fairfield
West Covina
Burbank
Roseville
Elk Grove

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)

Campus Locations:

Online

Mueller College

Campus

Work toward a new career with Mueller College. We offer certificate programs in alcohol and drug counseling, holistic health and bodywork, and personal fitness training at our campuses in San Diego, California.

Programs:

• Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Campus Locations:

San Diego

Grand Canyon University

Campus

Earn your degree online with Grand Canyon University. We offer approximately 100 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs that can be completed 100% online. Degree programs are available in the fields of education, nursing and health sciences, business, fine arts and production, and liberal arts.

Programs:

• M.S. in Professional Counseling
• B.S. in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse
• M.S. in Addiction Counseling

Campus Locations:

Phoenix

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

Penn Foster Schools

Campus

Penn Foster offers affordable, self-paced career-focused distance education programs in fields like business, criminal justice, health services, technology, engineering, paralegal studies and more.

Programs:

• Substance Abuse Counselor

Campus Locations:

Scranton

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:

• BS in Human Services Management
• BS in Human Services
• B.S. in Human Services/Management

Campus Locations:

San Diego
Woodland Hills
Los Angeles
Fairfield
Gardena
Lathrop
Rancho Cordova
Oakland
Pasadena
Palm Desert
Bakersfield
Sacramento
Roseville
Salida
Livermore
San Jose
El Centro
Costa Mesa
Ontario
Diamond Bar
Elk Grove
Chula Vista
Visalia
Fresno
Online
San Marcos
San Francisco
Culver City
Lancaster
Murrieta
San Bernardino
Beale AFB

Golden Gate University

Campus

For more than 110 years, non-profit Golden Gate University (GGU) has been helping adults achieve their professional goals by providing undergraduate and graduate education in Accounting, Law, Taxation, Business and related areas.

Programs:

• Psychology - Masters

Campus Locations:

San Francisco
Santa Clara

Northcentral University

Campus

Earn your degree online and boost your career at Northcentral University. We offer online doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degree programs in education, behavioral and health sciences, and business.

Programs:

• General Psychology - PhD of Psychology
• Child & Adolescent Therapy - PhD In Marriage/Family Therapy
• Medical Family Therapy - PhD In Marriage/Family Therapy

Campus Locations:

Prescott Valley

Baker College Online

Campus

Baker College Online is fully accredited and offers over 40 programs that will help you earn your Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Master's or Doctorate degree affordably. Learn more now.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Bachelor of General Studies

Campus Locations:

Lisle

Ashworth College

Campus

Get the hands-on training and skills it takes to succeed with Ashworth College, a respected, worldwide leader in distance education. Study at the times and places most convenient for you.

Programs:

• Associate of Science Degree in Psychology

Campus Locations:

Norcross

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Psychology, BA (Online)

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Colorado Technical University Online

Campus

Take your career to new heights with Colorado Tech Online! Since 1965, Colorado Technical University has helped thousands of students achieve success in business, management and technology careers. Learn more today.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Human Services
• Associate of Science in General Studies

Campus Locations:

Colorado Springs

Western International University

Online

Pursue your degree with Western International University. We offer programs at three campuses in Arizona and a live, interactive online classes taught by experienced industry professionals.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science