Degree programs in Child Welfare Social Work may be some of the most popular options for upcoming social work students. These programs can allow learners to focus specifically on the needs of children that have experienced circumstances of abuse or neglect.
Child Welfare Social Work programs can teach learners how to act as protecting agents for children in the welfare system, as well as how to establish treatment goals for the children being served. This can include a look into a variety of different treatment planning methods and service providers as utilities to help along the way.
What are Child Welfare Social Work Programs?
Students that are passionate about helping children can participate in Child Welfare Social Work programs to help them learn skills necessary for employment in this field. This type of degree program can help students train on state-to-state rules and regulations for welfare services, ethical treatment of clients, and federal regulations in social work.
If you would like to read more about the types of programs available to you, read more in the guide below. Our team of educational experts has explored what this degree program consists of and what it can provide to participants in an effort to help you along the way.
MSW in Child Welfare Social Work
Child Welfare Social Work programs can be found at different degree levels. The most profitable degree level for Child Welfare social work professionals is likely the MSW, since it can provide some added benefits and career opportunities along the way.
The MSW in Child Welfare Social Work is a graduate-level degree program that can provide you with a specific emphasis in your chosen specialization. At the master's level, students are not required to engage in any general education courses, making their degree experience strictly focused on their future career field.
Most colleges offering the MSW in Child Welfare Social Work have programs that can be completed in 2-3 years depending on a student's enrollment status. During this time period, students may also be required to engage in some field experience components to help extend their knowledge of this field.
The MSW in this field can also be found in traditional, hybrid, and online degree formats. Each of these options provide unique benefits to learners, subjective of their needs and desires in higher education.
At this degree level, students can move forward into a supervision program that can lead to the LCSW designation after graduation. This type of licensing requires around 2 years of added training in the field after graduation, but can result in licensees having the ability to provide mental health counseling in the field.
If you are the type of person that is invested in services to children in the welfare system and want to make the most out of your higher education, the MSW in Child Welfare Social Work could be the most beneficial choice for you. Read more in the guide below to learn more about these programs.
Online Degree Options
Popularity among MSW programs in Child Welfare Social Work has raised interest in online versions of this program. Online degree programs can assist students in managing busy schedules while trying to pursue better careers through higher education.
Online degree programs often consist of courses that can be attended from your very own home, which can be an excellent way to learn without the hassle of attending courses on campus. Online programs can also contain the same level of accreditation as their traditional counterparts, making them great options for future licensing.
Learning in the online environment may require self-discipline and extra motivation to complete your program. Students in this setting can have the freedom to catch up on class work during the early morning hours, at night, or even on weekends and holiday.
Most colleges have developed their own e-campuses that students can access at any time of the day. This type of flexibility cannot be found in the traditional learning environment or even in hybrid MSW programs.
If you would like to see more about online MSW programs in Child Welfare Social Work, take a look at the short list below this section. Our team has pulled information from a few example programs to help you begin your search for the perfect programs.
- Morgan State University - Online MSW: Upcoming students intrigued by youth social work can enroll in Morgan State University's online MSW with specialization in Urban Children, Youth, and Families. This program was designed to help students gain a better understanding of the needs of children in urban settings. This fully online program requires no campus visits and can be completed in around 2 years for most students.
- Ohio State University - Online MSW: Students interested in becoming Child Welfare Social Workers can participate in Ohio State University's online MSW in Child and Youth Services. This specialized program was developed to help train future welfare professionals with ethics and advocacy for children in mind. This is a fully online program that requires no campus visits for enrolled students. At full-time enrollment students can graduate from this program within 2 years.
- Temple University - Mixed/Hybrid MSW: Temple University current provides a unique type of degree program for MSW learners seeking a career in Child Welfare Social Work. This program includes a mixture of both synchronous and asynchronous courses, on-campus visits and work groups, and online courses. The MSW consists of a Children and Families specialization to help shift your focus towards a career focusing on rebuilding families and healing children. Most students can finish this program in 2-3 years.
Example Courses in Child Welfare Social Work
In order to become the most proficient Child Welfare Social Work professional, you will need to spend a significant amount of time studying the ins and outs of this career field. At the onset of your degree program, you can likely expect to take a lot of introductory courses related to general social work practice, laws, and communication.
Courses specific to Child Welfare can help to create specialized skill in this field, which can be valuable to you after graduation. Specific courses related to Social Work Practice for Children and Youth can introduce you to methods for ensuring protection and services for children, as well as provide you with information about the development of relationships with clients.
Topics related to childhood education may also be included in your program, since this is such an important aspect of care for children in the welfare system. Learning about different educational regulations, individual education plans, and treatment teaming can be part of these courses along the way.
Mental health evaluations and treatments for children and youth can be a large portion of your degree program from the very beginning. Since children in the welfare system have often experienced abuse or neglect, mental health services can be increasingly important to their healthy development.
While taking courses related specifically to services for children, you may also engage in classes that can help you learn more about the provider agencies used when working with children. Your relationships with provider agencies can help you get children the services they need as you develop treatment plans for different specified purposes.
Career Opportunities for Child Welfare Social Work Graduates
As you embark on a career in Child Welfare Social Work, you can seek out those in areas that you are most passionate about. In some state, welfare social workers may be on-staff at schools as an extra helping hand for protecting and serving children.
In the court system, you could work as a child advocate that speaks to the best interest of the child during legal proceedings. Some court systems have a team of social work professionals standing by to assist children and families when situations arise.
One of the most widespread career options for graduates of this program is within the Children’s Services division in each state. This organization seeks to protect children from hard, investigate instances of child abuse and neglect, and work with families to improve their current situations in order to provide a safe environment for their children.
Social work professionals in the healthcare field can also specialize in working with children, which could include a focus into partnering with healthcare providers, health insurance companies, and specialty service organizations.
How to Obtain Licensure in Child Welfare Social Work
If you would like to do the most with your social work degree, you should consider pursuing a professional license in your field. This process should begin before you even enter into a MSW program in Child Welfare Social Work, since some degree programs may not have the right type of accreditation for this purpose.
While you are searching for degree programs, you should filter results by CSWE-accreditation. This organization is the leading accrediting agency for social work degree programs, making it your primary choice for verification.
You can view a list of online and traditional accredited degree programs through visiting the CSWE website or verify the accreditation of your chosen program through the university’s admissions office.
Licensing also requires that you complete all supervision requirements for your degree level. Most MSW programs include some in-person practicum requirements within their curriculum to help you gain hours towards the licensing standards.
During your supervision element, you may work for a social work agency or intern with an organization set forth by your university. While participating, you may work one-on-one with clients while being supervised by a licensed social work professional.
At the conclusion of your supervised experience, you will also have to complete an examination from the ASWB. This exam consists of questions pertaining to ethics, practice, and knowledge of terms, making it a big milestone for MSW graduates.
Once you have finished your degree, experience, and test, you can apply for licensure in your state. Depending on the state you live in, you might be expected to send in copies of test score, have your university send original transcripts, and get signed documentation of your experience component.
Your licensing period may last around 2 years, after which you may have to re-apply. During this time period it is your responsibility to continuously gain credited toward your continuing education requirements.
