10 Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor’s in Social Work

If you are drawn to work that has meaning, impact and variety, a career in social work or human services could be a strong fit. An accredited online bachelor’s degree in social work can prepare you to support individuals, families, and communities in many different settings while building a foundation for long‑term career growth.

What do social workers do?

Social workers care about the wellbeing of people, want to make things better, and are motivated to reduce suffering and inequities in their communities. Depending on their role, they may provide direct services or counseling, connect people with resources, and advocate for broader social change. Because they are trained to see both individual needs and larger systems, social workers are needed in hospitals, schools, government agencies, nonprofits, and many other organizations.

Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow about 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, which signals a strong long‑term outlook for bachelors in social work jobs. That demand helps make an accredited online social work bachelor’s degree an attractive option for working adults who want to move into helping professions.

How an online BSW degree prepares you

Choosing a social work degree program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) ensures that you complete a rigorous curriculum with supervised fieldwork and strong professional preparation. In UMass Global’s online Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW), for example, you can expect to:

• Learn to serve individuals, families, groups and communities in a variety of settings.
• Complete 400 hours of supervised, on‑site field practice to build real‑world experience.
• Grow your intercultural competency and ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Gain a broad understanding of social welfare policy and its impact on communities.
• Ground your practice in the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Coursework in an online social work bachelor’s degree typically includes topics like human behavior across the lifespan, social welfare policy, interviewing and assessment, and social work practice with individuals, families, and groups. You may also choose electives that help you specialize your work in areas such as domestic violence, child welfare, military social work, substance use treatment, or working with older adults.

A BSW degree prepares you for generalist, entry‑level roles and can also serve as a launchpad for advanced study, including a Master of Social Work (MSW) if you later decide to pursue clinical practice or leadership positions.

Top Careers to Pursue With a Social Work Degree

1. Child and family social worker

Child and family social workers help ensure that children are safe, supported, and able to thrive. This may involve working with families that are struggling with systemic challenges, like poverty, racism, addiction, and homelessness.  Many people exploring careers with a bachelor’s in social work are drawn to these roles because they combine advocacy, problem‑solving, and direct support.

You can find these professionals in:

• Public child welfare agencies and family services departments
• Private agencies serving children and youth
• Adoption agencies and foster care organizations
• Residential programs and child day care centers

In these settings, child and family social workers may conduct home visits, assess safety concerns, develop reunification or permanency plans, and connect families with resources like counseling, parenting support, housing, or food assistance.

2. School social worker

School social workers help students address the emotional, social and environmental barriers that can interfere with learning. This is one of the most visible jobs for bachelor’s degree in social work graduates who enjoy working with children and teens in educational environments.

These social workers may:

• Provide individual or small‑group support to students
• Help families access mental health and community resources
• Advocate for students’ rights and accommodations
• Participate in crisis response and prevention efforts in schools

They are employed in elementary and secondary schools, school districts, Head Start programs, and early intervention programs. An undergraduate online degree for social work that includes school‑focused fieldwork can help you prepare for these student support roles, while some school social worker positions may require an MSW and state‑specific credentials.

3. Case manager

Case managers coordinate services and support for people who are navigating complex challenges like illness, disability, housing instability, or family stress. Rather than providing long‑term therapy, they focus on understanding each client’s situation, identifying needs, and connecting them with the right mix of community resources and providers.

In this role, you might:

• Conduct intake assessments and develop individualized service or care plans
• Collaborate with healthcare, housing, education, and social service partners
• Help clients apply for benefits and access practical supports like food, transportation, or childcare
• Monitor progress, adjust plans, and advocate when systems or policies create barriers

Case managers work in hospitals and clinics, senior living communities, child and family agencies, correctional settings, and nonprofit organizations. Many employers look for candidates who have completed a CSWE‑accredited bachelor’s social work degree or a related field, and a BSW with strong field experience can be a competitive foundation for these positions.

4. Healthcare or hospital social worker

Healthcare or hospital social workers support patients and families as they navigate illness, injury and disability. They help people understand diagnoses and treatment options, cope with changes in functioning, and connect with services that promote safety and quality of life.

Job responsibilities can include:

• Coordinating discharge plans and follow‑up care
• Helping patients access financial, housing, or transportation assistance
• Providing emotional support and brief counseling
• Advocating for patient needs within the healthcare team

Healthcare social workers are employed in hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, hospice programs and community health organizations. Employment of healthcare social workers is projected to grow nearly 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, reflecting the ongoing needs of an aging population and people with chronic conditions.

5. Geriatric (aging services) social worker

Geriatric or gerontological social workers focus on older adults and their caregivers, helping them navigate medical, emotional, social, and financial changes. If you choose a social work bachelor’s program with aging‑related electives or field placements, you can build expertise in this growing area of practice.

These professionals:

• Assess needs related to housing, healthcare, daily living, and safety
• Coordinate services like home care, transportation, and meal programs
• Facilitate support groups and provide counseling
• Advocate for policies and programs that benefit older adults

You can find geriatric social workers in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice programs and community senior centers. As the U.S. population ages, employment of healthcare and related social service professionals, including those serving older adults, is expected to grow significantly over the next decade.

6. Mental health or substance use social worker

Mental health and substance use social workers provide support and services to people experiencing mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Many students pursue a social worker degree with the goal of eventually becoming a licensed clinical social worker, starting with a BSW and later completing an MSW.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Conducting intake assessments and coordinating treatment plans
• Facilitating support or psychoeducational groups
• Linking clients to therapy, housing, employment and recovery services
• Advocating for policies and programs that expand access to care

These roles are found in hospitals and clinics, public health centers, inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, community mental health agencies, and recovery organizations. Mental health and substance abuse social workers are projected to see employment growth of more than 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, outpacing many other occupations.

7. Military and veterans social worker

Military social workers focus on supporting active‑duty service members, veterans, and their families as they navigate unique stressors and transitions. If you are a military‑connected learner comparing social work online degree options, this path can allow you to turn your lived experience into a specialized career serving your community.

In this field, you might:

• Help military personnel and veterans apply for benefits and services
• Provide counseling, crisis intervention and case management
• Connect families with community resources and support networks
• Coordinate care across military, VA and civilian providers

Military social workers are employed in military bases and medical facilities, Veterans Affairs centers, community organizations, and private practice settings. A social work bachelor’s program with relevant field experience can prepare you for entry‑level roles serving military‑connected populations, while an MSW may open the door to clinical positions and leadership opportunities.

8. Corrections or criminal justice social worker

Corrections and criminal justice social workers support people who are involved in the legal system as well as victims and survivors of crime, helping to prepare them to transition back into society successfully. For many learners considering jobs while earning a bachelor’s degree in social work, this path offers a way to combine interests in advocacy, public safety, and rehabilitation.

Responsibilities may include:

• Providing counseling and rehabilitation programming in correctional facilities
• Supporting youth involved in the justice system
• Assisting courts with assessments and recommendations
• Connecting individuals on probation or parole with housing, employment, and treatment services

These social workers are employed in prisons and jails, probation and parole offices, courts, police departments, and victim services programs. If you have a strong interest in criminal justice, combining your social work degree with related coursework or experience can be especially helpful.

9. Community and policy social worker

Community and policy social workers focus on improving conditions for whole neighborhoods and groups, not just individual clients. Graduates of social work degree programs often move into these macro‑level roles after gaining experience in direct service, applying their systems training to drive broader change.

In this type of role, you might:

• Plan and implement community development projects and local initiatives
• Conduct needs assessments and program evaluations to guide services
• Educate community members and policymakers about key issues and solutions
• Advocate for funding and policy changes that improve access, equity, and outcomes

These social workers are often employed by nonprofits, advocacy organizations, community development corporations, community centers, and local or state government agencies. A BA in Social Work accredited by CSWE equips you with applied research, communication, organizing, and program‑planning skills that translate directly into community development and policy advocacy work.

10. Employee assistance or occupational social worker

Employee assistance or occupational social workers help employees address personal and work‑related challenges that can affect their performance and well‑being. These roles show how flexible a bachelor’s degree in social work can be, opening doors beyond traditional human services agencies.

In this career path, you might:

• Provide short‑term counseling and referrals through an employee assistance program
• Develop wellness initiatives and trainings for staff
• Consult with managers on supporting employees through life events or crises
• Assist with policies related to work–life balance, mental health, and substance use support

These social workers are often employed by businesses and corporations, labor unions, employee assistance programs, and healthcare or behavioral health organizations that contract with employers. A social work online degree combined with experience in mental health, substance use, or organizational settings can position you well for these workplace‑focused roles.

Career Trajectory and Earning Potential

Social work salaries vary widely based on location, setting, education level, licensure, and years of experience. BSW‑prepared social workers often start in entry‑level direct service or case management roles and may increase their earning potential by pursuing an MSW, advanced licensure, or supervisory positions over time.

Recent national data show that social workers overall earn a median salary of around $61,000 per year, with healthcare social workers earning closer to $68,000. BSW‑prepared social workers report a median pay around $50,000, while MSW‑prepared social workers and licensed clinical social workers report higher median salaries. Overall employment growth suggests that opportunities across many careers with a bachelor’s in social work are expected to expand.

Most social work positions require at least a bachelor’s in social work from a CSWE‑accredited program, while clinical roles typically require a Master of Social Work and state licensure. Whether you complete your social work degree online or on campus, you will complete both coursework and supervised field practice that help you build the skills, ethical grounding, and professional readiness needed to work effectively in the field.

Building on Your BSW

Many people enter the workforce after completing a BSW and later return to school for a Master of Social Work to expand their scope of practice. An online MSW can help you move from entry‑level bachelor’s in social work jobs into clinical practice, leadership positions, specialized practice areas, or roles in research and higher education. A Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) degree or Ph.D. is useful for doing social work research or teaching at the university level. All degrees in social work require coursework and a substantial number of hours in a field practicum, gaining experience under the supervision of licensed social workers.

If you are comparing degree options and want a flexible, accredited, online bachelor’s degree program designed for busy adults, the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at UMass Global could be aligned with your career goals. From child welfare and schools to healthcare, community organizations, and beyond, an online social work bachelor’s degree can open the door to a wide range of jobs for graduates who are ready to make an impact.

Launch Your Social Work Career With a BSW

Now that you know what you can do with this degree, you might be ready to take the first step in the direction of your dreams. For a flexible, affordable, and accredited program led by seasoned professionals in the field, explore UMass Global’s Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program, which combines online coursework with 400 hours of supervised, in‑person field practice to help you serve diverse communities. Learn more about the program and how it can support your goals.