Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree: A Guide

Social workers provide valuable services, empowering individuals and families experiencing challenges and helping connect them with the support they may need and ways to solve or improve their difficulties. As a clinical social worker, you’ll make a difference in others’ lives, but first, you’ll need to meet the qualifications of the job. 

If you're contemplating becoming a registered clinical social worker or pursuing an advanced role in the social work field, you will first need to earn your Master of Social Work (MSW). The graduate degree prepares you for registration, so you can begin working with people in various ways: individually, in groups, or as a community. Social workers in the UK must be registered with one of four regulatory bodies: Social Work England, the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, the Scottish Social Services Council, or the Care Council for Wales.

Read on to learn more about the MSW degree, what it takes to earn one, and the career options you can pursue once you graduate.

What is an MSW degree?

A Master of Social Work degree is advanced education you can pursue once you complete your bachelor’s degree. Some students who enrol in an MSW degree programme may have first earned their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, though that’s not necessary. You can study various subjects at the degree level before pursuing your MSW. 

Types of MSW degree programmes

The UK offers a few different programme options when it comes to earning your MSW degree: 

• Traditional: This MSW degree programme is designed to take two years of full-time study and typically incorporates foundational coursework in social work with more specialised topics, like children, young adults, and families. This degree includes practice placements to provide hands-on experience.

• Accelerated: This more intensive option takes around 17 months rather than 24 months to complete. Not all MSW programmes offer an accelerated track, so it’s a good idea to research 'accelerated MSW programmes' for more information about the ones that do. 

• Fast-track programmes: With programmes such as Frontline’s Approach Social Work, you’ll earn both a postgraduate and a master’s degree within three years, including hands-on experience.

Length of time + cost for a master of social work degree

Depending on the type of programme you enrol in and your ability to attend either part-time or full-time, the MSW degree takes two to three years. 

Students enrolled in a traditional MSW degree programme can expect to spend their time completing foundational coursework, taking specialised coursework, and completing their field education hours. Learners who enrol in a three-year programme often do so to continue working part-time.

Types of coursework

MSW degree programmes tend to break down coursework into a general first-year overview and a specialised second-year concentration. If you enrol in an advanced standing MSW programme, you can expect to skip the first-year coursework. Read on to explore the types of courses you might encounter.

First-year:

• Social work and social welfare foundations 

• Social work law and policies 

• Life course and social relationships

• Assessment and intervention

• Readiness for direct practice

• Human development 

Second year:

• Applying knowledge in social work

• Social work interventions

• Child welfare policy 

Specialist practice 

Master of Social Work programmes generally offer at least a few concentrations, which are areas of specialisation that tailor your education to your career. You can learn more about a facet of social work, which may help prepare you for a career in that area.

Sample concentrations:

• Therapeutic interventions 

• Social work in allied health settings 

• Rights and justice 

As you research MSW programmes, take time to learn about their concentrations and how they align with your larger professional goals. If you’re interested in working in a specific aspect of social work, choosing a related concentration might make sense and help guide you in selecting programmes that focus on that area.

Field education requirement

All MSW students must complete field education—an internship or practicum—designed to give them professional experience. The requirements differ by programme, but all Master of Social Work students participate in two placements, one each year. For many Master of Social Work programs, the requirement is 70 days of placement during the first year, and 100 days during the second year. Make sure to check your programme’s specifications so you understand the complete requirements needed to graduate.

What can you do with an MSW?

With an MSW and registration, you can pursue several social work roles and more advanced administrative roles. Social work and its related specialties show strong growth potential over the next decade. According to Skills for Care, social worker roles have grown year over year and are in high demand [1].

PhDs and DSWs

If you’d like to achieve the highest degree possible in social work, you can explore two options after earning your MSW. A PhD in social work tends to provide a more academic approach and will prepare you to conduct advanced research in your area of specialisation. A Doctor of Social Work (DSW), on the other hand, represents the highest clinical degree you can achieve in the practice of social work and applied research.

Which MSW degree programme is right for me?

The right MSW degree programme is the one that will help you achieve your personal and professional goals. Evaluating your resources and comparing them to factors such as the cost of a programme and the time you have to complete it is also critical. For example, if you'd like to continue working, you may want to look for three-year programmes rather than accelerated or traditional options.

Curriculum

Spend time perusing each programme's general, specialised, and elective coursework. Consider how the coursework aligns with your larger career goals. Explore whether the programme has the fundamentals you need to begin a successful career in social work and whether you can access electives relevant to your interests.

Fieldwork

Considering the emphasis placed on fieldwork, it can help to see where many current students in each programme complete their hours. For example, suppose you want to work in a specific area, such as addiction counselling, but the programme you’re considering doesn’t have a strong placement record. In this instance, it might be best to contact the programme director and get more information—or explore other options.

Costs

Many people enter social work for the meaning and value they can offer individuals or communities, but it’s still reasonable to want a return on your investment. Researching each programme’s costs—as well as the financial assistantship they may be able to offer—can help you weigh the overall price versus your potential earning power after graduation. Many schools also publish employment data, so you may be able to get a clearer idea about where graduates go on to work after leaving the programme.

Get started in social work with Coursera

You’ll need a master's in social work for social work roles within the UK. First, you might consider exploring the foundations of this field and learning more about whether social work is suitable for you with online courses that broaden your knowledge and skills. For example, with options such as the globally available University of Michigan’s Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change, you’ll learn foundational social work concepts and have the chance to explore this critical industry. This programme and more are available on Coursera.