Living in our nation’s capital can give you access to a variety of educational options. There are over 646,000 people living in Washington DC. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Washington DC has a population density of 9,856.5 people per square mile, which is extremely high when you compare it to the national average of 87.4 people per square mile.
As a social worker, there are several aspects of Washington DC’s population that you need to understand to offer appropriate care. Although the median income is $11,000 higher than the national average, almost 19% of the region lives below the poverty line. You need to understand how poverty influences families and individuals.
Considering how small Washington DC is, there are an amazing amount of educational options for you. In total, there are eight MSW programs located throughout the state. While the average tuition cost is $28,398, tuition costs can be as low as $6,624 at the University of the District of Columbia. In addition, Washington DC has a sizable average scholarship award of $16,031.
Each MSW program in Washington has roughly the same layout. You complete a core year that prepares you for general practice, and then you complete your concentration year, which allows you to choose courses that fit your career goals.
In your first year, you learn all about social work procedures and ethics, societal influences on populations, and how to deliver evidence-based-care. You apply these lesson to your second year, where you choose a population you want to work in your career.
Some schools have concentration offerings that are not available at other schools. Gallaudet University, for example, is focused on teaching students how to work with deaf or hard-of-hearing clients and their families. They highly recommend that students learn American Sign Language.
In addition to theoretical and practical courses that teach you everything you need to know as a social worker, you complete over 900 hours of field work in your MSW degree. Your field hours may take you to hospitals, nursing homes, mental health clinics, and more.
Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that most social workers work in healthcare or government settings like hospitals, schools, and prisons, your options are not limited to these settings. Social workers are important in almost every industry.
In Washington DC, some of the most prominent social work employers are Seniors Management North, ACOG, Green Door, and the National Council of Aging. Since you are working in the nation’s capital, you have access to careers at many different government agencies that others cannot consider. In addition, after gaining enough experience, you can go into private practice and set up your own clinic.
In Washington DC, all social workers are licensed by the District of Columbia Board of Social Work. You have to take and pass the Master’s-level exam to work as a Master’s-level social worker.
To go into independent practice, you have to go through 3,000 hours of supervised clinical work. Upon passing the clinical or advanced generalist exam, you can get your independent license.
Social work salaries in Washington DC vary significantly, partially due to the wide variety of employers in the region. However, your income is also affected by how much experience you have and what licensure level you achieve.
On average, Washington DC social workers can expect to earn between $51,900 per year and $64,800 per year (O*Net, 2012). These salaries are higher than national averages.
Much of the country is going through a social worker shortage. The Affordable Care Act has provided many people with mental health insurance, leading to the need for affordable mental health care. Job growth for social workers in different specialties is expected to increase by 21% to 32% between 2010 and 2020 (O*Net, 2012).
Schools in Washington DC Offering Masters in Social Work Programs
American University
(Washington, DC)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $38,982 Tuition Cost
- $19,506 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Catholic University of America
(Washington, DC)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $36,320 Tuition Cost
- $17,400 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Gallaudet University
(Washington, DC)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $12,430 Tuition Cost
- $6,893 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
George Washington University
(Washington, DC)
- Masters in International Social Policy
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- $43,660 Tuition Cost
- $24,693 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Georgetown University
(Washington, DC)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- $42,360 Tuition Cost
- $30,244 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Howard University
(Washington, DC)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $21,450 Tuition Cost
- $14,549 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Trinity Washington University
(Washington, DC)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- Masters in Social Psychology
- $20,550 Tuition Cost
- $9,157 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
University of the District of Columbia
(Washington, DC)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $6,624 Tuition Cost
- $5,805 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting