Who Should Consider an Associates in Social Work?

An Associates degree in Social Work is an excellent choice for upcoming students that are hoping to get the basic knowledge and experience in the field of social work. Since social work is a great complimentary degree for careers in human services and public outreach agencies, the choice to pursue this degree can potentially lead to more experiences and more knowledge of how society operates and how citizens interact with their environment. This degree program introduces students to sociology as a perspective and the various branches of society that serve the public in different ways.

There are 176 colleges throughout the country that provide Associate’s degree programs in Social Work, making it possible for people throughout the country to find a program that is fitting for them. Individuals that seek to give their career a refresher or hoping to extend their knowledge in their current profession may find this associate degree program to be just what they are looking for.

What Can You Do With an Associates of Social Work?

With an Associate’s degree in Social Work, graduates are prepared both for future higher learning and careers working with the public. Social worker assistants provide an important service to social service agencies as well as being a right-hand support for licensed social workers and the families being served. Community health workers are responsible for raising awareness about disease and illness as well as directing clients to services related to healthcare. At the associate degree level, graduates may be a great fit for fields such as this one.

Associate level graduates can also find careers working alongside mental health social workers, providing a similar service for those suffering from mental illness. Most of the responsibilities of associate level graduates will be administrative in function and will support the workups of licensed social workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social work assistants have the potential to earn $30,830 per year working to better their communities. Community health workers have the potential to earn $43,840 per year depending on location (BLS, 2015).