The benefits of studying for an online social work degree

We all know that education is important, and the number of people who are completing educational programs at college level has been on the rise for many years. The popularity of degree programs is not the only aspect of education that’s changing, however – the method of study is also being transformed. Online learning has become steadily more common as digital technologies have advanced, and of course the current COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this development by forcing many schools and colleges to close their doors and switch to virtual study. All of which has caused the field to advance even further.

It’s not just purely academic subjects such as history that you can study online either. These days you can also take degrees in more practical and vocational subjects virtually too. A great example of this is that you can now do an online social work degree, and become a qualified social worker through virtual learning and practical placements close to your home. So if you’ve been thinking about training in this field but previously been put off by the need to attend college in person, this might be the perfect opportunity to think about enrolling on the program and kickstarting a new career. 

In this article, we’ll look at some of the many benefits of studying for an online social work degree, as well as some tips for making sure that you get the most out of virtual learning.

What does studying for an online social work degree involve?

Before we get started with the advantages of virtual learning and social work as a career, let’s begin by going over exactly what you can expect from an online social work degree. Just like with a traditional program on campus, you’ll study a series of modules on topics relevant to social work. Normally this will be a mixture of compulsory modules that everyone has to take, and electives that you can choose from a longer list of options. 

The specifics will vary depending on which college you study with, but the following list is a useful overview of the type of modules you can expect to cover:

•   Basic skills for social work practice
•   Child welfare services
•   Diversity and multiculturalism
•   Domestic violence
•   Drug and alcohol treatment in social work
•   Human behavior in the social environment
•   Interviewing and assessment
•   Introduction to economics
•   Introduction to social work
•   Introduction to sociology
•   Introduction to psychology
•   Policy reform
•   Research design
•   Social justice
•   Social welfare policies
•   Social work in the military
•   Social work theories
•   State and local government
•   Victim advocacy

Each of these will involve some or more of the following online learning methods: live lectures, recorded lectures, live seminars, discussion boards, quizzes, reading, written assignments, group projects, individual assessments, and presentations. Most colleges have their own virtual learning environments and a range of different digital tools you can use. Some will also incorporate more widely known programs such as Zoom. Either way, there will be plenty of technical support available to ensure that you are comfortable and confident using the systems that are in place. Plus of course your lecturers and tutors will always be available via email, video chat or messaging services to answer your queries and provide feedback.

One aspect that sets an online social work degree apart from more academic online programs is that it involves fieldwork. This is because social work is a vocational subject, and in order to succeed at the job, it’s important to get some experience out in the real world. You’ll work at an approved and relevant location, under the guidance of a qualified social worker who can offer you valuable feedback and advice. Naturally you’ll have to step away from your computer in order to complete these placements, however, you’ll be able to choose a location that’s convenient for you. 

What are the benefits of studying a social work program?

Now that you have a better idea of what studying for an online social work degree involves, let’s begin looking at the advantages of doing so. Firstly, there are plenty of benefits to be gained from studying for a degree of any kind. These include lower levels of unemployment, higher earning potential, better job satisfaction, and even better mental and physical health. Plus it’s a wonderful opportunity to take a deep dive into a subject that you find interesting, which for many people is enough of a reason in itself.

Turning to social work more specifically, it enables you to study a subject that will help you to make a real difference in people’s lives. Social workers dedicate themselves to assisting the most vulnerable in our society, working with them to overcome challenges such as unemployment, poverty, mental health issues, addiction, abuse, neglect, discrimination, oppression, and much more. It’s a great way to give back to your local community, fight for social justice, and enact lasting positive change.

From a more practical perspective, social work is an industry that is always in demand. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for social workers are set to grow by 13% between 2019 and 2029 – a rate much faster than the average across all occupations. This is partly because social workers are employed in a very wide variety of positions and workplaces, including schools, prisons, hospitals, addiction centers, mental health facilities and government agencies. 

This variety has the added benefit of enabling you to craft a career that matches your personal interests. For example you could choose to work with military personnel, the elderly, families or students depending on what social justice issues you’re most passionate about. All of which makes the job extremely rewarding too. 

In addition to the subject knowledge you’ll learn on an online social work degree, you’ll also gain a wide range of transferable skills that will be useful in any career you go on to have. This includes factors such as time management, organization, attention to detail, communication, problem solving, analytical thinking and teamwork. It’s also an effective way of developing a number of important characteristics such as empathy, patience and emotional resilience, all of which are key for doing the job well.

What are the benefits of studying for a degree online?

In terms of online study more generally, there are lots of advantages to taking your degree this way. First and foremost is the flexibility it offers you. Doing an online social work degree enables you to fit your studies around your existing commitments and lifestyle. So, for example, if you want to keep working in your current job until you’re qualified, or if you have caring responsibilities towards elderly relatives or young children, you can do so.

Virtual learning enables you to study at a time, place and pace that is best suited to your situation and the way that you prefer to learn. Whether you like the hustle and bustle of a coffee shop or the peace and quiet of a home office, the choice is yours. Likewise, with the exception of live lectures and your placements, you can choose whether you want to study in the early mornings before work, on your lunch breaks, or late at night after everyone else has gone to bed.

Another advantage of virtual courses that is less well known is that they can actually cost less than traditional courses on campus. This is partly because the tuition fees are often cheaper, and partly because you don’t have to worry about extra costs such as commuting, parking on campus, accommodation during term time, and so on. Plus, because you don’t have to quit your existing job and move across the country, you won’t suffer a loss of income either.

The fact that you don’t have to move in order to attend an online social work degree also opens up many more options for you in terms of where you can study. You’re no longer restricted to those colleges that are in commuting distance from you, or that are feasible places for you and your family to move to. In fact, you could even think about enrolling with a university in another country!

Are there any disadvantages to online degree programs?

The good news is that there are no major disadvantages to doing an online social work degree. Some people worry that employers don’t take online qualifications as seriously as traditional ones, however, while this might have been true in the past these days companies are used to virtual learning and don’t see these degrees as inferior.

Having said that, there are a couple of differences to keep in mind before making the decision to enroll on an online program. Firstly, you might have to take greater personal responsibility for your studies than if you were studying on campus. There will be no one nearby checking up on you or making sure that you’re doing your reading! However this is not necessarily a problem. Many people prefer the extra freedom and independence, plus it teaches you useful life skills that will be helpful in your social work career.

Secondly, the social experience you have on an online course will be different. You won’t be going to the coffee shop or bar with classmates after lectures, attending college sports events or hanging out in the library all night. However you will still be able to make meaningful connections with your fellow students and college staff, it will simply be through virtual means. Of course the placements you do will still be in person, so they will be a great opportunity to network with local social workers.

Tips for successful online study

If reading this article has persuaded you that an online social work degree is the way forward, the following tips might be helpful in getting you ready for virtual learning:

• Set up a dedicated study space. It doesn’t have to be a whole room, even just a desk in the corner of your bedroom will do. The important point is that you have a specific space to keep your school work and complete your assignments. Whenever you sit down here, it will signal to your brain that it’s time to learn!

• Work out a study schedule. Take some time to think about when will be best for you to learn. For example, do you study best at morning or night? In long chunks of time once or twice a week, or shorter bursts every day? Take a look at your existing commitments, and figure out a timetable that can fit around them. Once you’ve done that, make sure you stick to it!

• Practice self care. You won’t be able to study successfully if you burn out, so it’s important to look after your physical and mental health. Ensure you get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water, eat healthily, take regular exercise, and make time for relaxation and hobbies.

• Ask for help when you need it. If things get difficult, you don’t need to struggle in silence. Your college will have a range of support services set up to help you, and just because you’re studying online doesn’t mean that you can’t make use of them. Whether it’s career guidance, mental health services or study support, check out what’s available and utilize the resources when appropriate.

• Get your family on board. If you have a partner or children, it’s important to make sure they know how much your studies mean to you and not to disturb you when you’re working. You can always make up for it by scheduling in family time when you don’t have assignments.

• Do some preparation. For those who have never studied online before, the prospect might seem a bit daunting – especially if you’re not confident with using new technology. If that sounds like you, it can be helpful to try signing up to a free short course online before starting your degree, to give you an idea of what virtual learning is like. If you’re returning to study after a long break, you could also try and get a copy of the reading list for some of your modules in advance, so that you can get a head start on your work.