When you are getting a generalist degree in social work, is that basically an undergrad degree?

Question

I am doing a research paper on the topic of social work.

Answer 1

There is such a thing as a Bachelor of Social Work (a social work generalist undergraduate degree) but most professional positions will require the Master of Social Work (a social work generalist graduate degree).

There are some social work specialties that require a master's degree as well. Rehabilitation and medical social work are examples of social work specialties.

The generalist degree is one that covers all of the specialties in a field in a general way. There are many social work jobs ideally suited for the generalist because the employing agency has a limited number of social work positions and must have caseworkers that can handle everything. Generalists can often be employed with a degree outside of social work as well. Some have a bachelor's in Sociology or Psychology for example. The best jobs will require an MSW though and the very best will require a specialty as well.

Answer 2

The foundation year in all MSW programs is "generalist" and all BSW programs are generalist. So in essence the BSW is equivalent to the first year of an MSW - which is why most schools grant qualified BSW graduates from accredited schools advanced standing in an MSW program. However, you can not get a generalist MSW degree.

Now if you are referring to an "Advanced Generalist" MSW program which many program use in their concentration year this is NOT equivalent to a BSW. The advanced generalist orientation moves beyond the common generalist base that is a part of all accredited social work programs and expands upon it to include autonomous practice and move advanced applications of working at a multi-system, multi-level approach. The advanced generalist perspective really pushes working at the interface of systems to another level. There are also specific advanced generalist models that get used such as integrated practice, community-based practice, Just practice, empowerment-based practice.

If you are doing a paper for school you really want to distinguish between generalist (the common base of all social work) and advanced generalist - a specialization in the MSW.

DA