While psychology and social work share a commitment to helping individuals improve their lives, they approach this goal in distinct ways.
Psychology often emphasizes understanding and analyzing human behavior and mental processes, while social work focuses on providing practical support and resources to address social and personal challenges.
This article explores how a psychology degree can serve as a starting point for pursuing a role in social work, the additional steps required, and the diverse career paths available in this rewarding field.
What Do Psychologists and Social Workers Do?
While both psychologists and social workers dedicate their careers to improving the well-being of individuals, families, and communities, their roles and methods are distinct.
The Role of Psychologists
Psychologists are trained professionals who specialize in studying and analyzing human behavior, emotions, and cognitive functions. Because of their clinical focus, their work often revolves around diagnosing and treating mental health issues using evidence-based methods and therapeutic interventions.
For example, psychologists might work with clients to manage anxiety or depression and provide individualized care in professional settings such as hospitals, schools, or private practices.
Another key aspect of this profession is that psychologists frequently pursue advanced degrees, such as a master’s degree or a doctorate, which enable them to explore specialized areas like neuropsychology, clinical psychology, or educational psychology.
These additional qualifications allow psychologists to delve deeper into research or provide targeted mental health services that address the complexities of mental processes. As a result, psychologists are often seen as experts in understanding and treating the root causes of psychological challenges.
The Role of Social Workers
While psychologists focus on mental processes, the social worker focuses on addressing the broader social and environmental factors that impact people’s lives. For instance, a social worker may assist individuals and families in accessing vital services by connecting them with resources like housing assistance, healthcare, or counseling services.
Unlike psychologists, who primarily focus on clinical interventions, social workers tackle systemic barriers that affect their clients. This includes advocating for policy changes, guiding individuals through bureaucratic systems, and providing emotional support to those in need.
Another key aspect of social work is having the ability to operate across a wider range of fields. Some specialize as mental health social workers, supporting clients with emotional or psychological challenges, while others focus on areas like child protection, healthcare, or community development.
Because social work involves addressing immediate needs while considering long-term solutions, these professionals play a vital role in helping people navigate the complex social systems they encounter. Their ability to balance practical assistance with emotional support underscores the unique and multifaceted nature of social work.
Education Pathways for Psychology vs. Social Work
In addition to their distinct roles, psychologists and social workers also follow different educational pathways that reflect the unique demands of their professions.
Psychologists, with their focus on mental processes and clinical interventions, typically begin with a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in psychology. This degree emphasizes the study of human behavior and mental processes, serving as a foundation for advanced education.
To qualify for specialized or clinical roles, psychologists often pursue a master’s degree or doctorate, which allows them to conduct research, provide therapy, or specialize in areas like neuropsychology or educational psychology.
For social workers, whose focus lies in addressing systemic and social challenges, the path is more practice-oriented. Many begin with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), a degree that prepares students for immediate entry into the profession with hands-on skills and field experience.
For those seeking flexibility, online BSW social work programs can offer a practical way to complete this foundational degree while balancing other responsibilities.
To advance further, many ambitious social workers also pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW), which can open the door to specialized roles such as licensed clinical social workers or leadership positions in fields like healthcare or child welfare.
How a Psychology Degree Can Lead to Social Work
Even though the two fields have distinct educational paths, a psychology degree can provide a strong foundation for pursuing a career in social work.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology possess the necessary skills that align well with the needs of entry-level social work roles, such as an understanding of human behavior, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving.
These abilities make psychology graduates well-suited for roles like case managers, support workers, and community outreach specialists, where they can assist clients in navigating social systems and accessing vital resources.
For those who aspire to advanced roles in social work, earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) is a common next step. Many MSW programs are designed to welcome students from diverse academic backgrounds, including those with a degree in psychology.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Psychology and Social Work
While both psychology and social work offer rewarding opportunities, choosing between the two fields requires careful consideration of your personal preferences, professional aspirations, and long-term plans.
Career Goals: Clinical Focus vs. Community-Oriented Work
As with any major career decision, you must consider your career goals and personal interests when deciding which of these paths to pursue:
- Clinical Focus: Psychology often appeals to those who enjoy working one-on-one with clients to diagnose and treat mental health conditions. The primary areas of focus in this field include:
- Diagnosing and treating mental health conditions
- Conducting research on cognitive and emotional processes
- Providing therapy to individuals or groups
- Community-Oriented Work: Social work is ideal for those who want to address systemic issues and provide practical solutions for individuals, families, or communities. Its key focus areas are:
- Advocating for social justice and policy changes
- Helping clients access resources like housing or healthcare
- Working to address systemic and environmental challenges
You need to think about what impact you hope to make with your career. Although it is not the only factor to consider, your desired focus is a big decision, so you need to choose the path that resonates most with your passions and values.
Preferred Work Environment: Structured Settings vs. Dynamic Roles
The work environment you prefer to be working within is another important factor you need to consider when deciding between psychology and social work. These fields offer diverse settings, and the environment you thrive in can help guide your decision.
The typical work environments of a psychologist include:
- Therapy offices
- Hospitals and clinics
- Research facilities
- Academic institutions
On the other hand, as a social worker, you may find yourself in more community-focused roles, like:
- Schools
- Community organizations
- Hospitals and healthcare settings
- Government agencies
Put simply, if you prefer a more structured, controlled setting, psychology may be the better fit. But if you envision making a difference in dynamic, hands-on environments, you may find your calling in social work.
Long-Term Outlook: Licensure, Salary, and Career Growth
Choosing a career is not just about passion. It is also about practicality. After all, this will be your job, and you will also need to think about your earning potential, as well as your opportunities for growth.
No matter which career path you choose, you will need a license:
- Psychology: Licensure typically requires a master’s degree or doctorate, successful completion of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), and fulfilling supervised practice hours, which can take several years.
- Social Work: For clinical roles, licensure requires earning an MSW (Master of Social Work), completing the required supervised practice hours, and passing the ASWB Clinical Exam. Entry-level roles may not require licensure, allowing for quicker entry into the field.
Overall, getting a psychology license is more time-intensive, while social work can offer quicker pathways for many roles.
However, the difference between these two roles is also reflected by their salary potential:
- Psychology: As of May 2023, psychologists earn a median annual salary of $92,740 or $44.59 per hour. Advanced roles in specialized fields and experience levels can lead to even higher pay. (BLS)
- Social Work: The median annual salary of a social worker as of May 2023 is considerably lower at $58,380, or $28.07 per hour. Non-clinical roles typically offer lower pay, though leadership or administrative positions can significantly increase earning potential. (BLS)
In other words, psychologists tend to earn more due to their extensive education and specialized expertise.
Finally, each of these two fields offers distinct career paths and chances for professional development and growth:
- Psychology: With advanced education, psychologists can specialize in areas like clinical psychology, neuropsychology, or forensic psychology. They also have opportunities to advance into research, academia, or private practice, allowing for diverse career trajectories.
- Social Work: Social workers can progress into leadership roles, such as program directors or policy advocates, or specialize in fields like healthcare, child welfare, or mental health. The field also provides opportunities for community impact through advocacy and systemic change.
To sum it up, psychology offers opportunities for specialization, academic advancement, and private practice, while social work provides pathways to leadership roles, community impact, and policy advocacy.
Licensure Requirements for Social Work vs. Psychology
As we just mentioned in the section above, both social work and psychology are careers with licensure requirements, but the path to obtaining a license in each of them differs significantly.
To become a licensed psychologist, individuals typically need to complete a doctoral program in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and follow it up with supervised practice hours. Then, they can try to pass a licensing exam, such as the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). This process can take several years, and it often requires a significant investment of time and money.
The licensure process for social work, on the other hand, is much more flexible, especially for those with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW).
For clinical social work roles, individuals must earn an MSW, complete supervised practice hours, and pass the ASWB Clinical Exam. However, many entry-level social work roles do not require licensure and allow professionals to start working sooner than in psychology.
It is worth pointing out that pursuing licensure in social work can be more accessible for psychology graduates because they already possess a solid understanding of human behavior and mental health from their psychology education.
Career Opportunities in Social Work for Psychology Graduates
Psychology graduates with a BSW or MSW can often transition into social work roles more quickly and bypass the need for a doctoral degree. The combination of a psychology background and social work licensure offers a broad range of career opportunities, often at a quicker pace than the more intensive licensure process required for psychology.
There are several career opportunities in social work that psychology graduates can pursue, including:
- Case Manager: Work with clients to develop plans, access resources, and ensure they receive the appropriate services.
- Mental Health Support Worker: Assist individuals with mental health challenges in community settings, offering practical support and advocacy.
- Community Advocate: Work on behalf of individuals or groups, advocating for access to resources, social justice, and policy changes.
By leveraging their psychology background and transitioning into social work, psychology graduates can access a broad range of roles that involve direct client interaction, systemic change, and community support.
Psychology and Social Work: Which Is Right for You?
Choosing between psychology and social work ultimately depends on your interests, strengths, and long-term career goals.
If you’re drawn to clinical work, research, or specialized roles, psychology may be the right path. On the other hand, if you’re passionate about community impact and working directly with people to address social challenges, social work could be a great fit.
Ultimately, both paths offer rewarding careers centered around helping others, so take time to reflect on what aligns best with your personal and professional aspirations.