The goal of social work is to improve the quality of life for people experiencing a broad range of problems due to societal and economic factors, such as poverty and homelessness, or involving personal and family issues like parent-child conflict, substance abuse, and caring for aged relatives. Social work functions include providing services directly to clients, and administrative responsibilities such as organizing and evaluating services, managing programs, and developing social policy. Many social workers work within child welfare and family service agencies and in settings providing mental health, medical, educational, correctional, and gerontological services. Other social workers are self-employed. With a master's degree you may become licensed by the state to accept third party payments.
Every state has some form of certification or licensure for social workers.
College teaching and research positions often require a doctorate in social work.