Entering the social work field and building a long-term career requires understanding what makes human beings tick and how they respond to their cultural, structural and familial environments. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology is one pathway to acquiring a strong foundation in each of these crucial concepts.
Through Northwest Missouri State University’s online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sociology program, students explore how to apply their theoretical knowledge of societal systems to their future workplaces, especially if they dedicate their lives to advocating for individuals, families and communities as social workers.
The Intersections of Social Work and Sociology Concepts
According to the American Sociological Association (ASA), sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the causes and consequences of human behavior. Because humans are inherently social beings, sociology topics can range from relationships within a family unit to relationships between entire demographic groups. Some sociologists decide to focus on religion and how it intersects with race and ethnicity, gender, and class. Others dig into the rise of social justice movements or the different ways humans build community through everything from political identity to niche hobbies and sports.
The topics explored through sociology coursework are often useful for social workers. The primary goal of social workers is to help institutions and society meet the basic human needs of all people, especially those who are vulnerable, impoverished and oppressed, according to the ethics code established by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). They accomplish these goals by working with and on behalf of clients, which can be individuals, organizations, families or entire communities.
Prospective social workers need to understand how their clients are affected by the societal factors that shape their lives. Northwest’s fully online B.S. in Sociology program offers courses like Urban Sociology, where students dig into the dynamic relations of cities not only in the U.S. but also worldwide. Rising professionals leave the course with a deeper knowledge of how poverty, ethnic minority concentration, crime and other factors develop in urban environments and impact individuals.
The Sociology of Health and Illness course allows students to understand why the U.S. healthcare system can lead to disparities in outcomes for people based on their age, ethnicity, gender and socioeconomic status. This deep background in societal issues allows graduates to help people navigate complex government agencies and obtain necessary assistance for clients struggling due to systemic challenges.
How Sociology Informs Careers in Social Work
Erynn Masi de Casanova, the ASA’s previous director of research, professional development and academic affairs, tells The Muse that there is often a common thread among people who choose to major in sociology. “They want to help people and they want to improve their communities and improve their society,” she says. In turn, many of her undergraduate students have found jobs in nonprofit organizations or social service agencies because they see it as a way to put their sociology skills into practice.
Upon graduation, those students find abundant opportunities to pursue social work careers. Many choose to work at child welfare and human service agencies, healthcare providers and educational settings, with job titles ranging from social work case manager and social service advocate to community health worker and child welfare specialist. Others may seek to work as community organizers, policymakers and researchers who focus on correcting social injustices, according to the NASW. All fit under the umbrella of “social work.”
Social workers can expect to earn a median annual wage of $58,380, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Overall employment in the field is expected to grow 7% over the next decade, faster than the average for all other occupations.
According to The Muse, a bachelor’s degree is the most common requirement to enter the social work field. However, some positions require a master’s in social work as well as a professional license to practice. Sociology graduates are prepared to pursue further education in social work if they choose.
Gain Practical Sociology Skills With Northwest Missouri State University
For rising professionals hoping to make a difference in the world, Northwest’s online B.S. in Sociology program prepares students to pursue a fulfilling career in social work. With a strong understanding of the difficulties facing their clients, graduates can implement interventions that help families and communities move forward with their lives.
Learn more about Northwest Missouri State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Sociology program.
