What Can I Do With a Major In Social Work?
UGA Specific Information for Social Work
The Social Work major at the University of Georgia provides a great combination of academic excellence and commitment to social justice within a vibrant and friendly atmosphere. BSW students have a grounding in liberal arts, which helps inform and enhance their social work classes. In addition, students learn about the history of social work and the development of social welfare, the impact of diversity and oppression on our society, and theories of human development including the development of the family and of groups. Students also learn about communities and organizations and how they affect families and individuals. Social work students learn research methodology and understand the relationship between research and practice. During their senior year, BSW students intern for 20 hours a week in social service agencies.
The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education to prepare graduates for entry-level social work practice. Ranked #13 in the nation by College Factual, the program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for excellence in generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Generalist social work practice is based on an understanding of the ecological perspective, is driven by a commitment to social justice, and is grounded in scientific research.
Class of 2021 Career Outcomes for Social Work*
** Includes Self-Employed
Campus Resources
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Connect with Jessica McLeod-Waddell, your Career Consultant - click here to find information on how to schedule an appointment
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Daily Drop-In Hours: (staffed by Career Center graduate assistants and student interns)
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In-Person: Mondays – Thursdays, 11 am – 2 pm in Clark Howell Hall (2nd Floor)
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Virtual: Fridays, 11 am – 2 pm, career.uga.edu/appointments
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- School of Social Work - BSW Program
- School of Social Work - MSW Program
- Field Education Information
- Study Abroad in Ghana
- Study Abroad in Northern Ireland
- Disability Studies Certificate
- Bachelor's in Social Work Club
- International Social Work Student Association
- Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society
Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations/Considerations
- Participate in the Career Center's Intern for a Day program to explore career fields of interest
- UGA Mentor Program - Networking with your Bulldog family can help you get ahead in life and career, but where do you even start? The UGA Mentor Program narrows down the world of possibilities to meaningful connections. It personalizes the mentoring experience; connecting you with mentors that are just right for your commitment.. There's a better way to network. Visit mentor.uga.edu today and find a mentor who can help you see your future.
- Utilize Handshake to find internship, part-time job, or volunteer opportunities related to your career fields of interest.
- Conduct informational interviews. Build your network through brief one-on-one conversations with professionals in your career fields of interest. Speak to your Career Consultant to discuss how to set up and prepare for informational interviews.
- Join a student organization related to your interests and goals. Get active and taken on leadership roles in professional, service, social, advocacy, and/or honor organizations to gain valuable experience.
- Look for student-specific and career resources from professional associations affiliated with your career fields of interest.
- Take on an internship, part-time job, or volunteer opportunity related to your career fields of interest. Utilize Handshake to find these opportunities.
- Seek research, presentation, and writing opportunities.
- Explore and discuss graduate school options and resources early.
Supplemental Career Research Dashboard
Additional Career Research Resources
- O*NET (click on Find Occupations)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook (type in general term for career of interest)
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Firsthand (Company rankings/profiles, industry career guides, and advice articles)
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Candid Career (Recorded informational interviews of professionals in specific careers)
- LearnHowtoBecome.org
- JobShadow.com
- Social Work Specialty Occupational Profiles
- Social Work Career Guide
- Social Work Careers with a MSW Degree
- "So You Want to Be a Counselor/Therapist? Let Me Tell You the Ways" (Psychiatry vs. Psychology vs. Counseling vs. Social Work, etc.)
- Idealist Nonprofit Career Information and Resources
Employment Websites
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Handshake - UGA's platform for job/internship postings (Login with your UGA MyID and password)
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LinkedIn - Network with professionals and view job openings
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Interstride - Job/internship openings in countries abroad as well as country career guides providing information about finding employment in other countries.
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Specialized - Check out Idealist for jobs in the Nonprofit sector and USAJobs for opportunities in the federal government.
- National Association of Social Workers JobLink
- Idealist
- Athens-Clarke County Human Services Agencies
- Council on Social Work Education Directory of Accredited Programs
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs Directory
- Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education Accredited Programs Directory
- American Psychological Association Accredited Programs
- Georgia Department of Human Services
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- USA Jobs
- Health Resources and Services Administration Opportunities
- SocialWorkJobBank
- Athens-Clarke County Hospitals and Clinics
- HealthJobs.com
- HealthJobsNationwide
Professional Associations/Resources
Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2021 Social Work majors
The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2021 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
Employer | Position Title(s) |
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Altar’d State | Assistant Manager | Athens First United Methodist Church | Administrative Assistant | Decatur YMCA | Youth Development Director | Department of Family and Children Services | Social Service Specialist II | Generations United | Grandfamilies Network Assistant | Martenson, Hasbrouck & Simon LLP | Legal Assistant | Nightlight Christian Adoptions | Foster Care Advocate | Project ADAM | Employee | Serv Behavioral Health Systems | Residential Counselor | Strategic Funding Group | Executive Assistant | University of Georgia | Program Coordinator-UGA Mentor Program |
Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2021 Social Work majors
The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2020 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
Graduate School | Program(s) |
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Columbia University | Advanced Standing Master of Social Work, MSW | University of Denver | Social Work, MSW | University of Georgia | Advanced Standing Master of Social Work, MSW | University of Georgia | Social Work, MSW |