Social Services Degrees

What are Social Services?
Social services, as the name suggest, is a discipline that works is the diaphragm of the social network with the aim of bringing a positive and meaningful change in to the society. Social welfare balances theory and practice which trains the individuals to intervene adequately through direct action as well as through planning. This, of course, is done through practical work and substantial theory. Practical or field work is an important aspect of social services. Social services, unlike other disciplines, are deeply embedded in the idea of selfless effort for positive social change. Thus, the approach towards social services ought to be humanitarian.

Two of the major principles that social services follow are social equality and justice for all. It examines the inhibitions that hinder the social process because of social inequalities on account of issues like poverty, illiteracy and mental or physical challenges that might keep the individual from playing his role in the society and benefiting from it. A social worker is trained to identify these problems and play his role in addressing them, paving the way for substantial positive changes in the social set up.

Social Services Programs

Commonly offered degrees in social services
Social services are one of the most commonly offered programs in humanities as a major. Social services can be beneficial if it is followed by extensive field work which can get you a good job immediately after leaving school. An undergraduate degree in social services accompanied by field work can be a good basis for later studies or a job if you intend to take a break from higher education. Masters level study in social services is naturally more extensive and requires a lot of field work along with theory. At post-doctoral levels, social service study is more about theoretical research and improvisation in the practice of theory.

Specializations in social services
Social services is also offered at Master’s level with various specializations which may include specializations in the social welfare of different age groups (children, adolescents etc) or with different social classes which includes reasons for social problems like poverty, illiteracy and health issues and the resultant factors. Hence, some of the major specializations in social services include child, school and family; public and medical health further classified into emotional health.

Career opportunities and salaries in social services
Earnings in social services jobs are largely dependent on the particular field in which the individual chooses to do his specialization in. So you can make around $40,000 per annum if your specialty is children issues and those related to them. This figure is slightly high if you go for public health and medical health where it goes around $45,000. Social services jobs might not be highly rewarding in monetary terms unlike other technical fields but it can be fulfilling if the person opting for social services enters a field with a humanitarian spirit.

Author: Christina Crew