BSW
Bachelor of Social Work

BSW

Career exploration guide

This guide provides tools to help you explore careers related to this certificate. Use this information to start researching this field and the opportunities in it. This research can help you learn how to apply what you learn in this certificate in your career. Start by gaining an overview of this program, knowledge of the skills you will learn, and insight into the field.

About this program

The Bachelor of Social Work degree program introduces the foundations of Generalist Social Work Practice including Social Work theory and practice, notably the generalist intervention model (engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, termination, and follow-up); the strengths-based perspective and person-in-environment framework; human behavior and development in the social environment; cultural competence and diversity; micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice; research and policy practice. The comprehensive curriculum provides ongoing opportunities to develop and enhance critical thinking, technological and leadership skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the requirements for your state. Review Capella’s professional licensure page for more information.

Skills gained through this program:

This program was designed to help you gain the following skills related to this field:

  • Demonstrate how to conduct themselves as entry-level professional social workers who strive for continual professional development, exercise social work professional practice core values and ethical decision making, practice personal reflection and self-correction, and demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning
  • Apply leadership, critical thinking, and generalist practice engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, termination, and follow-up skills to empower individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to identify and address problems, develop resources, and accomplish goals
  • Explain the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and, to that end, advocate for social and economic justice for a diverse client population
  • Apply knowledge of human development and behavior in the social environment in their research-informed practice and practice-informed research
  • Act as an effective leader and change agent who engage in generalist practice and advocacy for human rights and social, economic, environmental, and cultural justice
  • Develop and apply technology skills to promote innovative leadership and practice and the advancement of the social work profession

Explore this field

Professional associations, social networks, and other industry-specific resources can provide a wealth of information about a specific field or industry, including best practices, career overviews, trends and access to industry professionals. By reviewing website information, attending events, and connecting with people in the field, you can deepen your knowledge about the field. 

Professional associations

Industry information

Explore jobs and employers

In addition to exploring the field, take some time to research specific jobs and employment settings related to this program. Consider how these jobs and settings fit with your experience, skills, interests and values. This is a sample list of job titles and employment settings related to this field. To learn more, review job postings and talk with people who have these roles or work in these settings. You can find these professionals through LinkedIn, family, friends, schools, employers and community groups. Spend time researching your industry and prospective employers to decide whether this type of degree will help advance your career.

Related Job Titles to Explore*

  • Care coordinator
  • Case manager
  • Caseworker
  • Child welfare specialist
  • Family advocate
  • Family services specialist
  • Family support specialist
  • Outreach specialist
  • Probation officer
  • Social services specialist

Employment Settings to Explore

  • Child and youth services
  • Child care services
  • Employment placement agencies
  • Home health care services
  • Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)
  • Parole offices and probation offices
  • Residential intellectual and developmental disability facilities
  • Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities
  • Vocational rehabilitation services

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.

Job boards

This is a sample of jobs boards with positions related to this field. Use them in your research to identify additional job titles, common hiring requirements and local employers. 

Further exploration

There are a lot of factors that influence whether a career is a fit or not. These can include monetary compensation, benefits, work environment, organization culture, work/life balance, etc. As you consider your career, think about what is important to you in your employer, role and setting. These resources can help you perform this additional exploration.

For a more detailed guide on career exploration, review Capella’s Career Exploration YouTube series that helps you identify what is important to you in your career and how that aligns with the world of work. 

Accreditation

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.