People have at least two options when it comes to advanced social work diplomas. Students take up a Masters in Social Work in order to be able to tack on another credential to their resume when applying for jobs. Those seeking a more university-centered career are going to have to go for the doctorate, however.
Humanistic and, of course, sociological topics are at the fore in a masters-type program. This is a course that demands only a few years of your time. There are a great many scholarships being given for this particular academic option.
A Master's in Social Work requires a lot of field experience from the student. Since social work actually does involve a lot of working with society, people in MSW courses shall find their lives to be rich with activities for the organizations for which they work. You may choose a particular concentration for your studies to help sharpen your skills towards a goal.
You can find a number of concentrations in this course, from methodology down to health care. You can seek out whatever job interests you most: just know that the most popular settings for those studying social work would be in the category of public works agencies. A lot of people end up going for a double-degree.
The CSWE is the organization that deals with accreditation for social work courses. It is possible to go on with your studies in a higher-level course if you complete your masters in a degree that has been accredited by the organization. Some people actually accomplish all requirements of the program in a single year.
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. While you shall hear some institutions referring to the course as that for a PhD, you shall also hear others referring to it as a doctorate course. Whichever you do prefer, keep in mind that they mean the same kind of course.
The usual areas of employment for people finishing a doctoral would be universities and think tanks. That means that your focus will be more on the academic side of the field. Graduates of doctorate degrees can then see themselves working in departments of social work in universities while they engage in teaching, publication and research.
The methodologies here have to do more with the evaluation of data on paper than right on the field. The major course requirement is the dissertation. The easiest way to think of a dissertation is as an enormous essay that is going to be a complete book by the time it is done, composed of work you have done in researching your chosen subject and conclusions you have drawn in the process.
A Doctorate in social work typically takes about 2-4 years to complete, excluding the time it takes to finish a Masters degree. Universities do exert the strongest pull for graduates, but a select few PhDs opt to go into actual social work instead of research. Some even go so far as to juggle commitments to both areas of the field.
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. The admissions requirements for doctorate students are tougher too, demanding more education and better experience.
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