What is the difference between a Sociology and a Social Work degree?

Question

Interested in getting into the social work field as a youth advisor. Many people tell me go for the sociology degree and others social work degree. any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Sociology and Social Work are not the same academic fields. While they are both within the social studies (as is history, political science, psych, human resources, etc...), they concentrate on very different things.

Sociology is the academic study of how people interact in groups and why. Social Work is a professional field of study concerned with the practical application of techniques to alleviate the problems of individuals in society (poverty, crime, etc...)

You can enter the field at an entry level with an undergraduate degree in any of the social sciences but a professional position will require a graduate professional degree such as Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Education (MEd) in Counseling, Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling, or a Master of Arts in Psychology (with a specialization in counseling). You might also consider, if it's your sort of thing, one of the religious master's degrees that prepare pastoral counselors.

The best of these for what you describe is the MSW.There is such a thing as a BSW at some schools that can get you into the entry level of the field.

Your original question: The real difference between a sociologist and a social worker is that the sociologist asks "why are these people poor" while the social worker asks "what can I do about this poverty right now"

Happy learning!

Answer 2

Social Work Vs Sociology

Answer 3

Sociology Vs Social Work

Answer 4

If you want to be a youth worker and/or work in the youth development field then you want to go into social work. You are probably an undergraduate and the BSW is one of the best degrees to get for working with youth (you might consider doing a double major or a minor in recreation). These will open up the most jobs in youth development agencies. While you may want to go on for an MSW at some point in the youth development area you can actually do quite a bit with the BSW.

You have gotten some good distiction on your actual question. Social Work sits actually draws upon MANY theoretical positions including sociology, psychology, group theory, community organizing, economics, political science, anthropology, business administration, and more. Social work works across client systems to improve NOT only the lives of individuals but the functioning of society. Sociology is really a theoretical degree which is about understanding social phenomenon. Now it is true that many who do work in sociology go on to get involved in trying to change them. The degree does not really prepare you for this. While the social work degree is about theory and practice. DA

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is the difference between a Sociology and a Social Work degree?
Interested in getting into the social work field as a youth advisor. Many people tell me go for the sociology degree and others social work degree. any help would be appreciated.

Answer 6

People say to take sociology because they don't understand what Social Work is. Social Work is a professional degree, meaning it qualifies you to be a Registered Social Worker. You should take social work, or go to college and take social service worker or child and youth worker. Sociology is a broad field that studies people and society.

And to whoever said you need a Masters degree, NOT TRUE!! (and to Coach T: I am in a professional, RSW only position. The only difference once i get my masters is they will pay me more $. (Canada) Lots of experience working with youth is the key to landing a job. Start volunteering now.

Answer 7

If you want to be a social worker or counselor, you must have a master's degree in social work. Sociology is a completely different field.

Answer 8

These are not the same thing in any way. Sociology is academic, social work is professional. You cannot get a job working in social work with a sociology degree and must have a BSW. Social work degrees often require field work- getting your hands dirty. Nobody in their right mind will hire a sociology grad for this job when they can have a real social worker with a bachelor's in social work. They want someone who did the practicum (internship) and did well, not somebody who read some books in college.

You don't have to go to grad school to get an entry level social work position. You can make that decision later.

For grad school, if you decide to do it, social work MSWs REQUIRE field experience. It is essential. Without the BSW it will not be as easy to get that. Start volunteering ASAP and get your feet wet. Of course, counseling, social work, psych, etc. are pretty closely linked fields. You can easily go for an MS in counseling with the BSW later or go for the MSW if you are a counselor, teacher or psych major.

Oh- and CoachT hits the nail on the head with "The real difference between a sociologist and a social worker ... LOL

Answer 9

Sociology is the study of how societies interact with one another. Social Workers work as advisors helping people.

The degrees are pretty different -- kind of like the difference between being an artist and an art historian.

Answer 10

There is a HUGE difference between a Sociology degree and a Social Work field. Sociology is the 'study of societies' as they 'are' ... Social Work 'helps the people who can't live without help in society in general' ... so, if you want to 'work' in the field of Social Work, your degree should be in Social Work ... and you will need AT LEAST a Master's in Social Work to be able to 'see clients' and 'offer help' to people as an MSW ... Master of Social Work.
A Master's of Sociology, would be an MSS ... Master's of Science, Sociology. NO COMPARISON between the two areas of study, really ... although there are a few 'classes in common.'