Why Choose Pre-Social Work?

If you are a student who’s interested in human services, hands-on work with one of many different populations and life-changing service to others, the field of social work may be the right place for your talents. Social workers are versatile members of the workforce who can address many social problems at levels from the individual to the group to entire communities. At Concordia, the pre-social work program will prepare students to enter the field as skilled, knowledgeable workers with a Christ-centered mindset that enables them to serve others while reflecting God’s love in all that they do.  

One reason for students to consider social work is the flexibility that it offers during both undergraduate and graduate studies. At Concordia, pre-social work is classified as a pre-professional program, meaning that students who choose this pathway can declare any academic major they wish in addition to their required social work courses. However, students should begin to consider where they would eventually like to receive their master’s degree in social work (MSW) early so that they can fulfill any necessary undergraduate prerequisites.  

To find employment as a social worker, especially a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who can provide mental health treatment and care, students will need to obtain both an MSW and licensure as a social worker. However, graduate programs in social work are abundant and often only take 1-2 years to complete. Some nonclinical positions may not require students to complete a master’s degree. For students who wish to treat mental health issues but do not wish to pursue the schooling required to become a therapist or psychologist, the clinical route may be an attractive one! 

Another benefit of a career in the field of social work is the broad clientele with which these professionals can work. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), various types of social work can narrow one’s job duties to helping unique populations or serving in certain environments. Some of these social work “specialties” include administration and management, child welfare (sometimes school-based), health care, corrections and clinical mental health. Social workers can be found in schools, police departments, government facilities, foreign countries and more.  

Entering the field of clinical social work is a common career aspiration for many pre-social work students. In a similar manner to other specialties, clinical social workers must hold a master’s degree; however, all states also require them to gain licensure, which they can accomplish through supervised clinical experience and passing a cumulative board exam. After gaining licensure, clinical social workers can diagnose and treat mental, behavioral and emotional disorders by creating treatment plans, providing therapy or making outside referrals. In fact, clinical social workers are more abundant in the United States than psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric nurses combined! 

Despite the already-large numbers of clinical social workers in the U.S. -- around 600,000 -- the field is still growing at a faster-than-average rate of about 7% annually, and for good reason. Social work focuses on addressing issues that people of all ages, races, genders and socioeconomic backgrounds face socially and emotionally in the context of their environment. They can help individuals and communities cope with their circumstances, as well as change them when necessary. Social workers are versatile members of the human services community who can be found wherever people face hardships.  

As a profession, social work is both demanding and rewarding. Choosing to enter this in-demand field and working with at-risk or hurting populations can be extremely stressful and may seem to offer little monetary reward, with an average salary of $55,000 annually. However, the impact that a social worker can have on the lives of the individuals they serve is beyond any monetary labels – it's priceless. Social work often ranks near the top of lists of the most meaningful professions, and being able to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals – even over the course of many years – is a commonly cited benefit of choosing the profession.  

The field of social work is ever-growing, changing, and offering its employees meaningful and rewarding careers in a range of environments. Students at Concordia University, Nebraska should consider choosing the pre-social work program if they wish to have a lasting impact on the world around them and address both community and individual hardships with a mindset focused on God’s love for His children.  

Learn more about the pre-social work program at Concordia Nebraska.