Social Work Careers
Find out what careers you can achieve with a Social Work degree from MBU, and how you can get there!
Social Work Careers
These are just some of the many careers a bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) can prepare you for. Select a career to learn about the job, average salary, employment outlook, required education level, and more.
Clinical & Case Management
- Adoption Coordinator
- Behavioral Case Manager
- Behavioral Technician
- Casework Supervisor
- Child Advocate
- Child Protective Services Specialist
- Community Mental Health Worker
- Crisis Intervention Specialist
- Family Preservation Worker
- Forensic Social Worker
- Juvenile Counselor
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Mental Health Case Manager
- Palliative Care Social Worker
- School Social Worker
- Substance Abuse Counselor
Social & Community Service
Use the resources below to find more career profiles on these and hundreds of other jobs you could achieve with a BSW.
Career Spotlights
Social Worker
Help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Workplaces: Local and state government agencies, residential care facilities, school systems, community service organizations, nonprofit organizations
Median Pay: $61,330
Job Outlook: 6% (faster than average)
Substance Abuse Counselor
Help individuals struggling with substance use disorders to recover and improve their well-being
Education: Master’s degree
Workplaces: Hospitals, residential care facilities, outpatient care facilities, community health organizations, nonprofit organizations
Median Pay: $59,190
Job Outlook: 17% (much faster than average)
Social Services Program Manager
Coordinate and supervise programs that support public well-being
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Workplaces: Local and state government agencies, residential care facilities, community service organizations, nonprofit organizations
Median Pay: $78,240
Job Outlook: 6% (faster than average)
MBU Alumni Employers
Social work majors are commonly employed by health systems, social service organizations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, school systems.
Organizations that have hired our alumni include:
- Bath Community Hospital
- Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare
- Botetourt County Social Services
- City of Roanoke
- Comprehensive Counseling Services
- Crawford County Juvenile Probation
- Brain Injury Connections of the Shenandoah Valley
- Disability Determination Services
- Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board
- Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services Department
- James City County
- New Bridge Counseling
- New Directions Center, Inc.
- People Places
- Prince William County Community Services
- Restore Family Counseling
- Southside Community Services Board
- United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley
- Valley Community Services Board
- Virginia Department of Social Services
What’s your path?
MBU offers dozens of complementary minors, majors, clubs and more to enhance your study of English and put you on the right path to your dream career.
Consider pairing your major with…
A minor in:
- African American Studies
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Public Health
A double-major in:
- Biology
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- English
- History
- Mathematics
- Psychology
Build one of these Skill Stacks to gain an edge in the job market:
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
- Data Fluency
Join one of these MBU clubs or professional organizations for connection and networking:
- Psychology Club
- Social Work Club
- A Brighter Tomorrow
- Morgan’s Message at MBU
- National Association of Social Workers
- American Board of Clinical Social Workers
- National Association of Black Social Workers
- Latino Social Workers Organization
- Virginia Society for Clinical Social Work
- Phi Alpha Honor Society
Interested in graduate school? Consider our online MSW program.
Consider pairing your major with…
A minor in:
- Business
- Communication
- Criminal Justice
- Leadership Studies
- Management
- Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology & Anthropology
- Spanish Language & Hispanic Cultures
A double-major in:
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- English
- History
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Strategic Communication
Build one of these Skill Stacks and gain an edge in the job market:
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
- Creativity
Join one of these MBU clubs for connection and networking:
- A Brighter Tomorrow
- Criminal Justice & Leadership Club
- Help Save the Next Girl
- Psychology Club
- Sociology Club
- Social Work Club
- National Association of Social Workers
- Child Welfare League of America
- National Association of Black Social Workers
- Phi Alpha Honor Society
Interested in graduate school? Consider our online MSW program.
Explore Internships
No matter your major, an internship is a chance to explore your interests, build real-world skills, and give you a real competitive edge in the job market. The McCree Center for Career Success can help find the right opportunity for you.
Planning for Graduate School
If you plan to continue your education in social work or pursue a career requiring a graduate or terminal degree, thinking about graduate school early can save you stress later.
Requirements vary by program, but most include transcripts, recommendations, and personal statements. Identifying programs early helps you understand their requirements and plan ahead.
Your application may also require entrance exams such as the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations). Like the SAT or ACT, these tests require preparation, often over several weeks or months. Knowing early if an exam is required gives you more time to prepare.
See what graduate programs Mary Baldwin has to offer!
McCree Center for Career Success
The McCree Center for Career Success helps students connect their education to their future careers. Services include:
- Career exploration and planning
- Resume and cover letter support
- Interview preparation
- Internship and job searches
- Networking and professional development
- Graduate school preparation
Visit us to learn more!
