Recruitment Events: Come meet the Director of Recruitment and Admissions!
This ten minute video descibes three different paths social workers have chosen to travel.
If you answered “yes” to the majority of these questions, a job in social work might be for you!
What are the advantages of studying social work at ISU (bachelor’s level)?
What are the advantages of getting my MSW (Master of Social Work) at ISU?
What are the differences between social work and psychology?
What can I do with a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) degree?
What can I do with an MSW (Master of Social Work) degree?
How much should I expect to earn?
What is the outlook for job opportunities in social work?
How do I get into the BSW program?
How do I get into the MSW program?
Once I’m admitted to the BSW program, what will I study?
Once I’m admitted to the MSW program, what will I study?
How many students are admitted to the BSW program?
How many students are admitted to the MSW program?
Do you offer any online classes?
International Definition of Social Work: "The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilizing theories of human behavior and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work."
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One of the most impactful pieces of your experience will be the relationships you make with your classmates and the faculty. All social work majors begin the program together in the fall semester and take the same classes together for the next 2 years, so strong friendships are forged. When you graduate, you will already have a network of other social workers to rely upon as you move into the work force or into graduate school. Also, class sizes are about 25 students maximum, so you will get to know the faculty well. We encourage community involvement on small and large scales. Employers are eager to hire BSW graduates because they know that these job candidates come to them with at least 10 months of experience in social work, from their internship. Employers know that they won’t need to train a social worker on how to be helpful, only on how to procedurally deliver agency-specific services.
Another major advantage of a BSW is that with it, you are eligible for Advanced Standing in the MSW program, making you eligible to earn your MSW in only 12 months!
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Students repeatedly answer this question by referring to the enthusiasm, experience, and genuine concern for students that the faculty bring into the classroom. Because we are a small program, admitting only around 40 students into the program each year, students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty and staff on research, practice, and community involvement. While we value research and scholarly publishing, our major focus is on helping people in practical ways in the field. If you have a BSW, you may be eligible for Advanced Standing and you may complete your MSW in just under 12 months.
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One major difference between psychology and social work is that the two-year master's degree in social work is a terminal professional degree. Career opportunities in the field of social work expand across all service areas such as: mental health, health & human services, substance abuse, school social work, local, state, and federal government, corrections, homelessness outreach and services, international social work, domestic violence treatment and prevention, hospice services, and many more. With a Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work, graduates are able to enter into the field immediately upon graduation and are eligible to apply for the basic social work license (LSW).
Licensing for psychology in most states can only occur at the PhD level. Usually graduates move on to a PhD program in psychology to become a psychologist. Although there may be some overlap in the curricula, the philosophy of each field differs. Social work focuses on the environmental challenges that affect persons and assists in empowering individuals to enhance their well-being which is done through both academic study and field experience.
Students enrolled in a doctoral program in psychology begin with several years of academic study before transitioning into their clinical internship.
Here at ISU, we encourage our students to think about their career interest, help them to set goals and develop a plan of study towards their particular area of interest.
Most students who earn a BSW work in entry-level positions in a wide array of social service agencies. Those who excel in their work may eventually achieve leadership roles in non-clinical positions, such as overseeing residential treatment center 24-hour staff or helping to organize community actions. The major limitations for those with a BSW are that they usually don’t provide clinical services (assessment, therapeutic intervention) and usually are not qualified for very significant advancement in their place of employment. Those at the BSW level are eligible to become a Licensed Social Worker after 3 years of supervised post-baccalaureate social work employment. This would allow a BSW to provide clinical social work services, but they may not practice independently. Here are service settings where BSWs may be found working:
Here, your options are nearly limitless. Most students who return for their MSW are hoping either to provide clinical services to clients and/or become directors of social service agencies. Some hope to go into politics or work in school systems. MSWs who complete 3,000 hours of supervised practice are eligible to earn their professional license, making them a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. This allows an MSW to provide formal clinical social work and bill third-party payers, such as Medicaid or insurance companies, for their services. MSWs who have their LCSW may practice independently. In addition to those settings listed under What can I do with a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) degree?, here are even more settings where MSWs can be found:
Detailed information on the most recent (2007) salary information.
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“Employment of social workers is expected to increase by 22 percent during the 2006-16 decade, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.”
This quote, and much more detailed information about the job prospects for different areas in social work, are found at the following link: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos060.htm#outlook
Also, you might find this article helpful: NASW Report on Workforce Shortage
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We have a separate application process for all students who would like to earn their BSW. Please plan to apply one year in advance of actually beginning the BSW curriculum. You may turn in your application materials to the Director of Admissions & Recruitment between September 1st and November 30th; any applications submitted after the November 30th deadline will only be accepted if there is still room in the major.
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You can see all of the steps required for admission by clicking here.
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If you have done a good job of planning your coursework prior to beginning social work courses, then all you will need to study is social work! If you have not taken graduation requirement classes yet, then you will need to complete those while taking social work courses. Elective hours may be used to earn a Child Welfare Certificate, work toward a minor (minors are not required for social work, however), or complete graduation requirements. Your social work courses will all be taken on 2 days per week. During your senior year, you will spend 3 days per week in a social service agency as a social worker, and you will attend class 2 days per week. Here is the BSW plan of study for your last 2 years in your undergraduate degree.
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This depends on two things: Your chosen sequence, and whether you are in the Foundation program or the Advanced Standing program. If you are in the Foundation program (don’t have a BSW), then regardless of your sequence, you will take the same nine classes as others in the Foundation program. These classes are:
Once you have completed the Foundation program, you move into the Advanced Standing program. At this stage, your chosen sequence will determine your courses.
Child & Family Practice sequence
School Social Work sequence
We have been admitting from 50-60 students per year to the BSW program. Generally, if a student applies in a timely manner, has done well academically, seems a good fit with the profession, and has completed the prerequisites, there should be no reason why she/he would not be admitted to the program. Should we begin to see higher numbers of students applying to our program, the School of Social Work would do everything possible to accommodate their admission.
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MSW applicants seem to be more competitive than ever. For 2008 admissions, we reviewed 86 completed applications for only 35 openings. We admitted about 42 students, and with attrition, we met our goal of 35 new students. This number is inclusive of both sequences and full-time/part-time students. Given that we want to keep our faculty:student ratio small for our students’ educational quality, this is likely to continue to be a competitive program. Please consider applying early, since we will stop accepting applications once the program is filled.
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We do not offer internet-only classes at this time. However, some of our classes my mix internet and in-class learning for the convenience of our students.
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