Social Work, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Social Work, Other.: The DTI for this program is 68.2%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Social Work, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $37548) to the average debt ($25598) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Social Work, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 68.2%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Social Work, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($37548) against the typical student debt ($25598), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Considering Social Work, Other.? This major is known for its blend of hands-on learning and career-ready skills. Graduates often start out earning $37548, and with an average student debt of $25598, the debt-to-income ratio is 0.68—pretty reasonable for most students.
With more than 59381 students earning this degree each year, you’ll be part of a vibrant community. Whether you’re interested in job security, making a difference, or just want a degree that opens doors, Social Work, Other. is a smart choice. Don’t forget: internships, networking, and campus involvement can make your experience even more valuable.
Degree Overview
Social Work, Other (CIP 44.0799) is a people-centered and systems-focused helping profession dedicated to supporting vulnerable individuals, strengthening families, and improving communities through ethical, compassionate, and evidence-informed practice. This classification includes social work programs that do not fit neatly into a single traditional specialization, allowing institutions to offer flexible, interdisciplinary, or emerging approaches to social work education. These programs often integrate elements of casework, community practice, policy, advocacy, and applied behavioral health.
For a degree search site, Social Work, Other represents purpose, resilience, and real-world impact. Social workers operate where human needs intersect with social systems—healthcare, education, justice, housing, child welfare, aging services, and mental health. This degree appeals to students who want a mission-driven career focused on helping people navigate hardship, reduce inequality, and build long-term stability while working within ethical and professional frameworks.
What Is a Social Work, Other Degree?
A Social Work, Other degree is an academic and applied program that prepares students to understand social problems and intervene at the individual, family, group, and community levels. Programs under the “Other” designation typically emphasize flexibility, interdisciplinary integration, or emerging areas of practice that fall outside traditional clinical or generalist tracks.
Depending on the institution, this degree may:
- Blend social work with human services, psychology, or public health
- Emphasize community-based or nontraditional practice settings
- Focus on applied social justice, advocacy, or policy-informed practice
- Support specialized populations or service systems
- Prepare students for advanced standing or graduate study
Rather than concentrating solely on therapy, this degree emphasizes:
- Understanding social and environmental influences on behavior
- Direct support, advocacy, and resource coordination
- Ethical practice and professional responsibility
- Systems-level thinking and policy awareness
- Preparation for supervised practice or graduate education
Colleges and universities offer this degree to:
- Prepare students for entry-level and transitional social work roles
- Address workforce needs in social and community services
- Provide a foundation for MSW or related graduate programs
- Support interdisciplinary approaches to complex social issues
What Will You Learn?
Students learn how social workers assess needs, support clients, and navigate service systems ethically and effectively. You’ll study human behavior in social environments, social welfare policy, diversity and equity, and professional practice standards. Coursework emphasizes empathy, critical thinking, and accountability.
You’ll also learn how to work with individuals experiencing poverty, trauma, disability, mental health challenges, family disruption, or systemic barriers—always within an ethical and client-centered framework.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates typically develop skills such as:
- Client engagement and support—building trust and rapport
- Case management fundamentals—coordinating services and referrals
- Advocacy and empowerment—supporting client rights and access
- Ethical and professional decision-making—confidentiality and boundaries
- Cultural competence and humility—working across diverse communities
- Assessment and documentation—recording needs and progress
- Crisis recognition and response—identifying urgent safety concerns
- Collaboration and teamwork—working within interdisciplinary systems
These skills are essential across healthcare, nonprofit, and public service environments.
Topics You May Explore
Because this is an “Other” classification, coursework varies, but commonly includes:
- Introduction to Social Work: values, roles, and ethics
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment: individuals and systems
- Social Welfare Policy: history, structure, and impact
- Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice: systemic inequality
- Casework and Helping Processes: applied support methods
- Community and Organizational Practice: macro-level intervention
- Mental Health and Substance Use: support frameworks
- Ethics and Professional Practice: legal and moral responsibilities
- Field Practicum or Internship: supervised real-world experience
Many programs require extensive field hours to ensure applied readiness.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Social Work, Other degree prepares students for entry-level helping and support roles and serves as a foundation for graduate education. Career options depend on role requirements and licensure pathways.
Common career paths include:
- Social Services or Case Management Assistant: client coordination
- Community Support or Outreach Worker: nonprofit services
- Behavioral Health or Support Specialist: supervised care roles
- Child, Family, or Youth Services Worker: population-focused support
- Housing, Reentry, or Resource Navigator: systems access roles
- Program or Intake Coordinator: service organizations
- Graduate School Path: Master of Social Work (MSW) or related fields
Becoming a licensed social worker requires a graduate degree and supervised practice.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work in organizations focused on care, advocacy, and community stability:
- Nonprofit and community-based organizations
- Healthcare and behavioral health systems
- Schools and educational support services
- Government and social service agencies
- Child welfare and family service programs
- Housing, homelessness, and reentry services
- Aging, disability, and support agencies
Social workers often serve as the bridge between individuals and complex systems.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary by role, setting, and education level.
Typical ranges include:
- Entry-level social service roles: often $35,000–$45,000
- Case managers or program specialists: commonly $45,000–$65,000
- Licensed or advanced social workers: often $60,000–$85,000+
Graduate degrees and licensure significantly increase earning potential and responsibility.
Is This Degree Hard?
Social Work, Other is considered emotionally and academically demanding. Coursework is accessible, but the work requires empathy, resilience, ethical judgment, and strong boundaries. Students must be prepared to engage with complex human challenges while maintaining professionalism.
The difficulty lies in balancing compassion with structure and accountability.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Want to help individuals and communities overcome hardship
- Are interested in social justice and equity
- Enjoy people-centered, purpose-driven work
- Are considering graduate study in social work
- Prefer applied service over purely theoretical study
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for a social work program:
- Take psychology, sociology, and social science courses
- Develop strong communication, empathy, and writing skills
- Volunteer with community, youth, or support organizations
- Learn about social issues, ethics, and public services
- Practice responsibility, reflection, and teamwork
Social Work, Other (CIP 44.0799) is a meaningful degree for students who want to stand with people during their most challenging moments. It provides foundational helping skills, ethical grounding, and pathways into advanced professional practice. For those committed to compassion, advocacy, and long-term social impact, this degree offers both purpose and enduring relevance.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor