People have at least two options when it comes to advanced social work diplomas. Those seeking to build a professional life heavily involved in community outreach and assistance should go into a Masters in Social Work program. Those seeking a more university-centered career are going to have to go for the doctorate, however.
The masters class is intended to help students learn more about various policy trends and styles in social work. Most students graduate well under the 3-year mark. Master’s courses are typically given a lot of attention by scholarship-granting funds and institutions.
There is typically a quoted minimum figure for the working hours a member of the program must complete. Work would typically revolve around organizing, managing, planning and analyzing social agencies. The ideal is for students to major in a specific subject in social works.
You can find a number of concentrations in this course, from methodology down to health care. Since social work graduates are ones who would like to invest in society, they typically end up in charitable or philanthropic organizations. A lot of people end up going for a double-degree.
There is a body called the CSWE that works on accrediting programs of this type. The council’s list of accredited schools all boast excellent social work courses that can be continued with doctoral courses. You can even complete your degree under the usual period.
A Doctorate in Social Work or DSW is a degree designed for professionals who want to advance their careers by gaining knowledge and skills in research and policy analysis. There are some divergences in the terminology: doctorate or PhD. Either way, they stand for the same thing.
The usual areas of employment for people finishing a doctoral would be universities and think tanks. Because this is a research-focused life, the center of your world is going to be in analytical papers and publications, and not in the people actually being written about in those same publications. The doctoral enables you to draw attention to yourself as a major thinker and analyst in the field.
You shall be specializing in the research-centered side of social work and activity. The major course requirement is the dissertation. This is a huge body of research of your own doing that is going to take up a great deal of your time.
Your average doctoral degree demands about 3 years of studying and research. While many professionals have their primary focus on teaching and collaboration on research with academic colleagues, many still continue their social work practice. It is going to be tough, but you can do both if you know how to balance priorities.
Compared to a masters in social work, the CSWE does not accredit doctoral degrees in social work. You also do not have the choice of seeking funding for a doctorate. In addition, applicants are expected to have not only significant work experience in social work but also a strong academic background as well.