Degrees for Mental Health Social Workers

Mental health social workers assess and treat people with mental illness with the help of individual and group therapy, outreach, crisis intervention, social rehabilitation and teaching skills. They offer supportive services to clients so they can return to their community easily.
Some mental health social workers work as part of a generic team.

There are mental health social workers who are integrated into a multidisciplinary community mental health team. They can find job in various settings including hospitals, mental health treatment centers, individual and family services agencies or local governments.

Mental Health Social Worker

Social workers specialized in the field of mental health often work in offices talking with clients, making phone calls and doing paperwork. Besides they visit clients at other locations and attend meetings.

Full-time mental health social workers work an average 40-hour week. However, some of them work evenings and weekends to meet with clients, attend community meetings and handle emergencies. Some of them work part time, particularly in voluntary nonprofit agencies.

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for Mental Health Social Workers

If you wish to qualify as a social worker, you should obtain a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW). A master’s degree in social work (MSW) is necessary for positions in health settings and for clinical work. College and university teaching positions and most research appointments require a doctorate in social work.

Earning a Master’s in mental health takes 2-7 years. During your studies, you’ll choose a specific field to specialize in and take courses focused on your particular area. In addition, you’ll need to complete a thesis (a very long essay on a theory that you have developed over the course of studies). Besides, you may need to defend a thesis in a meeting with professors or psychology professionals.

Ph.D. for Mental Health Social Workers

If you are looking for the highest paying jobs in the industry, you should consider earning a Ph. D. or DSW in mental health. It usually takes approximately 6 years to complete a Ph. D. after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in the mental health field.

All states require certification, registration or licensing for mental health social workers. Most states require 3,000 hours or 2 years of supervised work. However, you should check requirements in the state you wish to work.

Where to Earn Degree in Mental Health Social Work?

There are many institutes across the USA that offer a wide range of certificate and social work degree programs both on campus and online. Here are some of them: