A tremendous opportunity exists in Rochester and Southeast Minnesota for those who pursue an education in Social Work. Social Work is an enormous field with a multitude of career possibilities. Those with degrees could expect to find jobs as a:
- Behavioral Management Aide
- Case Management Aide
- Community Outreach Worker
- Juvenile Court Liaison Probation officer
- Rehabilitation Case Worker
- Eligibility Worker
- Human Services Specialist
- And much more!
A Social Worker could spend their career specializing in areas such as addiction, or move from area to area. Moving up the ladder to executive positions or even starting their own non-profit are possible with a degree in Social Work.
Rochester, MN – A Hot Spot for Social Workers
An especially strong market for careers in Social Work happens to be in Rochester and the Southeast Minnesota area. Community programs, non-profits, and certainly, the medical environment, make this region a hot spot for those interested in careers in this field. According to The U.S. Department of Labor, the social services field will see a 16% increase in jobs through 2026, which is much higher than most fields.
Minnesota Social Workers Are Paid Well!
The national average pay for a Social Worker is $49,470 per year with some positions earning much more. Minnesota is a hot spot for Social Workers. According to the US Department of Labor, the median salary for Social Workers in Minnesota is even higher than the national average at $64,300.
Getting a Degree in Social Work In Rochester, MN
Winona State University-Rochester(WSU-R) offers a Social Work major which is an in-depth major requiring no minor. This BSW program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. In most states employment as a professional social worker following graduation with a BSW will require the graduate to take the State Board Licensing Examination.
Here are several options available to WSU-Rochester students who are interested in pursuing a degree in Social Work.
- Social Work (SWRC) – BSW Major
- Social Work – Human Services Specialist (SWRH) – BSW Major
- Social Work – Alcohol and Drug Counselor (SWRA) – BSW Major
The Number of People with Degrees is Growing
The number of people in the workforce with college degrees is growing. Approximately 35% of people in the US now have a four-year degree according to Statista.com, and since 2013, females surpassed males as the gender most likely to have college degrees. This means competition for higher positions and higher pay is increasing.
Many adults in our workplace today have some college and now discover the benefits of finishing it out to take advantage of advanced learning and earning. Because of this, colleges like Winona State University-Rochester (WSU-R) have built out programs to better serve this sector. WSU-R Path to Purple (a path to completing your four-year degree) is really quite simple: If you already have a collection of college-level credits from another two-year or four-year institution, you can complete your degree at WSU-Rochester. Credits earned in a previous degree (AA, AS, BA, BS) may be applied, once officially evaluated by WSU Admissions.
Because many of today’s adults are already in the workforce and many even have families, these programs are structured to accommodate non-traditional schedules with options like night classes, online classes, virtual classroom learning or a blend of all.
“You won’t know unless you inquire at these institutions,” stated Samantha Eckerson, Recruitment and Admissions Advisor 2+2 Graduate Studies Undergraduate and Graduate Prospective Student Advisor. “At WSU-R it’s as simple as connecting with the Admission Advisors. They can get you started and continue to provide personalized support as you move through the admission process. That’s what they do.”
It’s never too late to go back to college and a degree in Social Work is a rewarding and lucrative path. It’s simply a matter of taking the first step and we are always here to help. Reach up by reaching out to us today.
