How to Become a Social Worker: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Types, Steps, Abroad, Jobs, Scope, Salary 2023

Social work is a field focusing on improving the social structure of society, helping poor, unprivileged people; taking care of women, children with special needs and old people etc. Academically, social work is a combination of Humanities and Social Science. The average yearly salary of a social worker in India is INR 301,605. The yearly highest salary one can get in the field of social work is INR 623,973.

There are several courses to choose from once a students decided to become a Social Worker. Various crash courses like social work certificate courses are available for students seeking a crash course on the subject. Apart from this there are degree courses such as BSW, MSW, BASW etc. that can be studied by aspiring social workers. The basic eligibility criteria for pursuing an Undergraduate degree in Social Work is based on the score obtained during Class 12^th board exams. The admission process for Postgraduate degree courses in Social Work are done based on the entrance exam conducted by different Colleges and Universities.

Some of the Top Social Work colleges in India include Madras Christian College, Magadh Mahila College, Patna University,etc. The average Fees for social work courses in India is INR 9,280 to INR 55,550 according to the choice of college.

Table of Contents

Social Worker: Types
How to Become Social Worker

2.1 Social Worker in India

2.2 Social Worker After 12th

Social Worker Courses

3.1 Bachelor of Social Work

3.2 Master of Social Work

3.3 MPhil in Social Work

3.4 PhD in Social Work

Social Worker Abroad

4.1 Canada

4.2 UK

4.3 US

4.4 Australia

Social Worker Advantages

Jobs

Recruiters

Salary

8.1 Job-Role Wise

8.2 Experience Wise

8.3 Gender Wise

FAQs

Types of Social Worker

A career in social work offers a lot of variant ground to work for. According to them, there are various types of Social Workers available -

Child, family and School Social Workers

They mainly work for children and their families including finding homes for abandoned children, arranging the adoption, taking care of abused children, teenage pregnancy, behavioural problems etc.

Community Social Workers

This type of social worker works for the overall welfare of a community including planning, organising and administering various services for the people of that community.

Criminal Justice Social Workers

This type of social worker is found in various fields like courthouses, correctional home, domestic violence support centre etc. Each field has a unique responsibility. They spend time with their client, talk to them, try to put them back in the mainstream of society.

Gerontological Social Workers

This kind of social worker helps adults to live an independent life by supporting them with finding a house, long term care facilities and various other services. They serve all kinds of people - living with family or home both. MSW is mandatory for this type of social work.

International Social Workers

This type of social worker travels a lot as they work in international fields to address social injustice, violation of human rights etc.

Healthcare Social Workers

This type of social worker collaborates with healthcare professionals and takes care of the patients' needs. Also, they involve in the investigation of cases like child abuse and support with Medicaid- and Medicare-related paperwork.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

This group works with clients who are suffering from stress, depression, mental trauma and provide group and individual psychotherapy, counselling and help their family members to understand them.

Military Social Workers

Military social workers are divided into three primary types which are -

Civilian military social workers - They mainly work with US military support centres, school, healthcare organizations, veteran centres etc.
Active-duty Military Civilian military social worker - They mainly work in the mental and medical health department.
Veteran Social Workers - They help retired military members with financial issues, navigate military benefits and find medical or mental health treatments, find housing etc.

Steps on How to Become a Social Worker

Starting from making the right decision, the path to become a social worker ends by choosing the right college and right social work course. Here are the steps that should be followed -

Step 1: Decision Making

Before pursuing Social Work as a career the student should be mentally prepared for this course. Because once started, there is no coming back.

Step 2: Subject Choice

A big advantage of becoming a Social Worker is there is no specification of subjects in the 12th level. Students from any stream can apply for BSW.MSW also demands a graduation degree regardless of any discipline.

Step 3: Entrance Exam Preparations

For admission in BSW, the student needs to concentrate on the Higher Secondary examination as the selection of BSW is based on H.S examination marks. For MSW the candidate should be prepared for a written exam and Personal Interview according to the current syllabus available.

Step 4: Selecting College

Choosing the right college for BSW totally depends on the H.S score. For admission to a government college, the candidate should get a higher score. And it is always wise to choose the government colleges as they provide the best facilities.

How to Become a Social Worker in India?

Step 1: To be involved in Social Work no degree is needed as such. Anytime a student can join Social Working voluntarily or by the paid procedure.

Step 2: Having a degree in Social Work makes it easier to get a highly paid job in the social work field in India. The aspirant must complete the UG or PG degree in social work to pursue social work as a profession.

Step 3: Students from any subject stream can get admission in the UG or PG courses on social work.

Step 4: Students should have basic knowledge of languages like Hindi, Marathi, English etc., along with their mother tongue in order to be prompt in the field work.

Step 5: Since social workers are supposed to work among people of different areas as well as languages and in order to help them one needs to communicate properly.

Step 6: Social Worker also needs skills like active listening, critical thinking, empathy, cultural competence, patience, organization etc. to be a pro in the field of Social Work.

How to Become a Social Worker in India after 12th

To pursue a UG course on social work the candidate doesn’t need any specific subject at the school level.

Step 1: Candidates having 50% marks(40% for SC/ST) in H.S (10+2) level or equivalent from a recognized board can get admission in bachelors’ degree.

Step 2: Having some fieldwork experience like an internship, volunteer experience during UG is very beneficial for social work students.

Step 3: To apply for PG in social work the aspirant needs to qualify for the entrance examination with at least 50% marks, arranged by the preferred university.

Step 4: Having a Bachelors’ degree in any discipline with pass marks is a must for a PG course on Social Work. Students who have social Science or Sociology in graduation or any fieldwork experience get the preference while applying for PG.

Step 5: Applicants have to go through a personal interview or group discussion arranged by the university to get selected for PG.

Step 6: Candidates having post graduation degree can go for further studies like M.Phil, Doctorate in social work.

Courses to Become a Social Worker

BSW graduation course is the very first academic step to pursue social work as a career. Then there are MSW, M.Phil, PhD for higher studies in social work.

BSW [Bachelor of Social Work]

BSW is a course consisting of three main components - Foundation course, Elective course and fieldwork.

Course Level	Graduation
Duration	3 years
Examination Type	Yearly or Semester
Eligibility	50% marks(40% for SC/ST) in H.S (10+2) level or equivalent from a recognized board
Admission Process	Based on the merit list. No entrance exam.
Course Fee	INR 6500 Per Annum
Average starting salary	INR 200000 Per Annum
Top recruiting fields	The medical sector, Social welfare sector, social defence, Community Development

MSW [Masters of Social Work]

The main aim of MSW is to teach students to use various resources to abolish the obstacles of society and try to relieve their pain and difficulties through counselling, funds or different social methods.

Course Level	Post Graduation
Duration	2 years
Examination Type	Semester Examination
Eligibility	A pass mark in graduation with any subject. 50% marks in the entrance examination TISSNET/AMU/JMI/DUET followed by group discussion and Personal Interview.
Admission Process	Based on the merit list of the entrance examination, GD and PI.
Course Fee	INR 1 to 2 Lakhs
Average starting salary	INR 3 - 5 LPA
Top recruiting fields	NGOs, Government Dept., Global Counselling Centres, Human Rights Agencies, Health Industry, etc.

MSW is also available as MSW Online course, and MSW Distance Education. MSW allows students to explore various aspects of social works through specializations like Human Resource, Child Protection, Social Development, Counselling, Disaster Management, Community Development, Sociology, Clinical and Community Practice, Correctional Social Work.

Check: MSW Top Colleges

M.Phil in Social Work

M.Phil Social Work enables students to research social problems, issues and their situation to create awareness that initiates social coordination and promotes social work activities.

Course Level	Post Graduation
Duration	2 years
Examination Type	Semester Examination
Eligibility	MSW with valid marks
Admission Process	Based on NET or RAT(Research Aptitude Test) qualification
Course Fee	INR 3000 to 2 Lakhs
Average starting salary	INR 2 - 20 Lakhs
Top recruiting fields	Human services industry, Counselling centres, Health industry, Clinics, Hospitals
Job Positions	Social service worker, Human services worker, project coordinator, HR manager, Welfare officer

PhD in Social Work

PhD Social Work enables students to research the problems of a specific area.

Course Level	Post Graduation
Duration	3 to 6 years
Examination Type	Semester Examination
Eligibility	MSW, Valid score in PhD entrance examinations
Entrance Examinations	UGC NET, TISS RAT, DUET, Loyola College PhD Test, Christ University PhD Exam
Admission Process	Based on entrance exam score, followed by Personal Interview.
Course Fee	INR 3000 to 2 Lakhs
Average starting salary	INR 2 - 20 Lakhs
Top recruiting fields	Human services industry, Counselling centres, Health industry, Clinics, Hospitals
Job Positions	Social service worker, Human services worker, project coordinator, HR manager, Welfare officer

How to Become a Social Worker in Abroad?

To study abroad one needs to consider a lot of things because each country has their own different educational system.

Check: MSW Abroad

The academic requirements may also vary for studying social work abroad. Countries like Canada, UK, USA, Australia and so on provide different courses on Social Work for students.

How to Become a Social Worker in Canada

To become a social worker in Canada the candidate needs to complete a BSW and MSW degree from a (CASWE) Canadian Association for Social Work Education accredited organization or social work Diploma from the Alberta College of Social Workers(ACSW).

Top Colleges	Fees
McGill University	40,749 CAD
University of British Columbia	59,360 CAD
University of Waterloo	60,666 CAD
University of Calgary	55,012 CAD
University of Victoria	104,800 CAD

How to Become a Social Worker in the UK?

To become a social worker in the UK one needs two or three A levels and five GCSEs (grades A-C) with Mathematics and English.

Also, there are some alternative qualifications which are - BTEC, HND/HNC, relevant NVQ, health or social care-based courses or equivalent Scottish or Irish qualifications.

Top Colleges	Fees
University of Birmingham	36,900 GBP
University of York	36,480 GBP
University of Nottingham	38,340 GBP
University of Edinburgh	39,990 GBP
University of Sussex	33,920 GBP

How to Become a Social Worker in the USA

To become a social worker in the USA the aspirant needs to have a BSW degree with 120 credits as it is considered as a general degree for social work. Educational requirements for becoming a social worker in the USA vary from state to state but a Bachelor's degree is common for all.

After completion of BSW and MSW, the candidate is eligible to have a license following the instructions of ASWB(Association of Social Work Boards).

Top Colleges	Fees
University of North Carolina	49,950 USD
Columbia University	76,393 USD
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	44,448 USD
New York University	75,134 USD
University of Texas	51,873 USD

How to Become a Social Worker in Australia?

To become a social worker in Australia the aspirant needs to have a bachelor degree in social work which provides both theoretical and practical knowledge. Candidates who already have a tertiary qualification can go for a Masters'(MSW) degree.

Also, the candidate needs some skills such as interpersonal skill, effective communication skill, the ability to organise and prioritise and proactivity in professional development.

Top Colleges	Fees
University of Wollongong	AUD 63264
University of New South Wales	AUD 36480
Edith Cowan University	AUD 74,680
James Cook University	AUD 61000
University of Western Australia (UWA)	AUD 64400

Benefits of Career as a Social Worker

Being a social worker is not only a very respected and reputed job but also brings a lot of advantages in your career. Here are some benefits of becoming a social worker -

Existing Job Role: The job of a social worker cannot be limited by time boundaries. They can be called to involve in various challenging situations anytime. When it comes to job security a social worker with a license can work anywhere wanted.
Travel to different places: In order to help people social workers work includes travelling from place to place. It also depends on the post. Social workers from higher posts get the opportunity to travel abroad.
Good Salary: The payment structure of a social worker depends on his/her experience. Being a fresher one can expect an amount within the range of INR 5090 to 9980 per month whereas the highest salary of a social worker can be 533K per annum.
Potential for growth: The field of Social Work is open to growth. After start working as a beginner, one can eventually apply for a higher post because the most important thing in this field is experience and work skills.
Positive Impact of the career: Choosing social work as a career means you are choosing to help people and nothing out there can provide a more positive impact than helping others. Sometimes you can feel emotionally affected but you have chosen to bring a smile to helpless faces and this thought is a cure-all.
Unique Experience: It is a wholly unique experience to help people every single day. When you are trying to help someone you are becoming a part of their life. Every new situation will bring unique challenges and overcoming them will enrich your experience.

Check: MSW Jobs

Social Worker Top Recruiters

Smile Foundation	Amnesty International	UNICEF
Oxfam	Green Peace	CARE India
Circle of Animal Lovers	Helpage India	Disaster Management Departments
Old Age Homes	Human Rights Agencies	-

Salary

The average starting salary of a social worker in India is INR 120,000 LPA. Experienced professional social workers in India earn an average of 232K per annum.

The salary of a social worker is determined based on quite a few factors. Social workers in India get paid based on their experience, skill, gender, educational qualification and location.

Social workers with high qualifications can earn a handsome salary from the beginning. A social worker in India earns around INR 24,397 per month.

The monthly salary range of an Indian social worker is 5090 INR to 24,397 INR.

Social Worker Work Profile Wise Salary

Specialisations	Salary
Counselling	INR 301,680
Case Management	INR 296,131
Child Advocacy	INR 303,391
Group Therapy	INR 400,000
Oral/Verbal Communication	INR 300,000

Social Worker Experience Wise Salary

Experience (in years)	Monthly Salary
0 to 2	INR 5700
2 to 5	INR 7450
5 to 10	INR 10,400
10 to 15	INR 12,500
15 to 20	INR 13,600
More than 20	INR 14,700

Social Worker Gender Wise Salary

Gender	Monthly Salary
Male	INR 9220
Female	INR 10,800

How to Become a Social Worker: FAQs

Ques: How to become a social worker affordably?

Ans. After BSW try to find out if there are any stipend programmes for certain specialities - mainly in Child Protective Services Social Workers, severe and chronic mental illness or work with children. These programs often require that you work 2 years for the local, county or state government and for each year they paid your tuition, expenses and a stipend.

Ques: How difficult is it to pass the certification to become a social worker?

Ans. To pass the certification to become a social worker is not tough but not so easy. Diligence, hard work and tenacity to attain the theoretical knowledge as well as the required skills and values through practising in the field is the secret of becoming a social worker.

Ques: How to become a social worker without BSW?

Ans. You can avail of MSW with a UG degree in Social Science. Also, for a real-life practice in the field of social work, you can work as a nursing assistant, psych tech, domestic abuse counsellor, alcohol and drug counsellor in a paid position.

Ques: How to become a social worker without going to a university?

Ans. To become a social worker without going to a university is possible only with volunteer works with disadvantaged populations, like the poor, incapacitated and disabled. But to get a paid position you will be needing academic degrees in social work.

Ques: How to become a social worker if I don't have a bachelor degree in sociology or psychology?

Ans. Social Work(SW) schools do not demand any particular degree for eligibility. But if you have any infield paid or volunteer experience such as therapy aide in a psychiatric hospital etc. that can enrich your application in SW.

Ques: How long does it take to become a full time paid Social Worker with a Master's degree, if one has a BA in another subject?

Ans. Having only the degrees of social work is not sufficient to pursue social work as a career. One must have at least 2 to 5 years of work experience among the people at the grassroots level to become a full time paid social worker.

Ques: How can a social worker become a full time counsellor in India?

Ans. One needs to have an M.Phil in social work in the field of mental health, adolescent psychology, industrial psychology, educational psychology or therapeutic social work. Also, a certificate in transplant coordination is very helpful these days.

Ques: How do I become a social worker in Australia?

Ans. To become a social worker in Australia one needs to complete the academic degrees of social work. Then you should register with the Australian Association of Social Workers(AASW) to get preference in applying for a social work job.

Ques: How much do social workers in Australia get paid?

Ans. A social worker in Australia can get paid the highest salary of 80kAUD or 50kUS per annum. In starting it can be 40kUS in any private agency in Australia.

Ques: How to become a social worker in Indiana?

Ans. Indiana University itself has a very good social work department. One needs to have a masters degree in social work from a Council for Social Work Education accredited organisation along with a bachelor degree in any discipline to become a social worker in Indiana.