Syracuse University : Master of Social Work (CSWE accredited. Standard and Advanced Standing tracks. No GRE required.)
Liberty University : MSW: Social Work (100% online, 8-week courses)
Case Western Reserve University : Master of Social Work (Earn your Master of Social Work online at CWRU in as little as two and a half years. No GRE required. CSWE accredited.)
Fordham University : Master of Social Work (Earn an MSW online. Traditional and advanced standing online MSW options are available. Accredited by the CSWE.)
University of Denver : Master of Social Work (Earn an MSW in as few as 12 months. No GRE required. CSWE accredited)
National University : Master of Social Work (Accredited. No GRE. Scholarships Available)
Northern Kentucky University : Master of Social Work (100% Online, Prepare for LCSW/LISW)How to Become a Licensed Social Worker
The process of becoming a licensed clinical social worker varies from state to state. There are three steps to becoming a licensed professional:
1. Earning a degree from an accredited program
2. Completing an internship
3. Passing a licensing exam
To hold the designation of Licensed Social Worker in most states, you must have a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW) or a closely related field. Some states require a master's degree for this licensure.
However, most LSW job pathways will lead you to a master's degree, which is highly sought after by employers. Becoming a licensed social worker will depend on the degree you choose to earn, but the steps remain the same to becoming licensed.
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Syracuse University
Master of Social Work
CSWE accredited |
✔ Online
No GRE Required |
Syracuse University’s CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work program is preparing the next generation of social work leaders through an emphasis on digital innovation and social justice. Learn More |
| Liberty University
MSW: Social Work
SACSCOC |
✔ Online
100% online, 8-week courses |
This program offers a general cognate and an individual and family clinical cognate. No matter which option you choose, you’ll receive advanced generalist training in social policy, research, and practice — as well as the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in your field. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More |
| Case Western Reserve University
Master of Social Work
CSWE accredited. |
✔ Online
No GRE Required Bachelor's Degree |
Lead lasting change in your community. With no GRE required, you can earn a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work online through Case Western Reserve University's top-10 ranked school of social work and prepare to pursue licensure. The online program curriculum offers three paths of study: Children, Youth and Families; Community Practice for Social Change; and Mental Health with Adults. Complete in as little as 2.5 years for the traditional track or 1.5 years for students with advance standing. Learn More |
| Fordham University
Master of Social Work
Accredited by the CSWE. |
✔ Online
Bachelor's Degree |
Fordham’s top-ranked Graduate School of Social Service offers a future-focused online MSW program, preparing students for integrated practice with all populations. Bachelor's degree required. Learn More |
| University of Denver
Master of Social Work
CSWE accredited. |
✔ Campus, Online
No GRE Required Minimum GPA 2.5 |
Earn your CSWE-accredited MSW online from Denver's GSSW, a top-15 school of social work. Gain a strong foundation for social work practice with a concentration in Mental Health and Trauma or Health, Equity and Wellness. GRE scores are not required. Students with a BSW can earn their MSW in as few as 12 months in the online advanced-standing track; students without a BSW can earn an MSW in as few as 21 months. Learn More |
| National University
Master of Social Work
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Scores Not Required |
Our Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program will prepare students for diverse career opportunities within a variety of social service settings. Learn More |
| Northern Kentucky University
Master of Social Work
|
✔ Online
100% Online, Prepare for LCSW/LISW |
This flexible program is for individuals who have earned an undergraduate degree in a field other than social work. It provides the path to help you transition into this sector and take on leadership roles as a clinical practitioner. Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
LSW Degree Requirements
A bachelor's degree in social work prepares you for generalist practice, in which you interact with individuals, assess their needs, connect them to services, and track their progress.
The majority of bachelor's degree programs require 120 credits, and full-time students typically complete their studies in four years. Accredited BSW programs require a minimum of 400 hours of supervised field experience.
Furthermore, if you have a BSW, you may be eligible for an advanced standing program that permits you to complete your MSW in as little as one year.
LSW vs LCSWs
In the United States, clinical social work is a regulated profession. State laws and regulations govern it. Each state has its own licensing criteria, and every social worker will be required to obtain a license.
A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) concentrates on providing therapy to individuals or groups in a clinical setting. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), clinical social workers are the largest category of behavioral health practitioners in the country. They are also the first to diagnose and treat people with mental disorders and other emotional and behavioral issues.
In many cases, an LCSW must possess the following three qualifications:
1. A master's degree in social work (MSW) from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program.
2. A minimum of 3,000 hours of post-degree master's clinical practice in a supervised setting over two years.
3. A clinical license in the state where you practice.
Licensed clinical social workers work in nursing homes, government agencies, hospitals, private practice, and many other settings.
LSW vs MSW
To work as an LSW, you'll need a bachelor's degree or higher in social work, as well as licensing in the state where you'll be practicing. An online master's degree in social work (MSW) is a type of degree earned after completing a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW).
Syracuse University - Master of Social Work (CSWE Accredited)
Liberty University - MSW: Social Work (SACSCOC Accredited)
Case Western Reserve University - Master of Social Work (CSWE Accredited)
Fordham University - Master of Social Work (CSWE Accredited)
University of Denver - Master of Social Work (CSWE Accredited)
National University - Master of Social Work (COAMFTE Accredited)
Northern Kentucky University - Master of Social Work (CSWE Accredited)
What Do You Study in an LSW Program?
To acquire a social work degree from an accredited program, each student must complete and pass the coursework satisfactorily.
The required coursework includes, but is not limited to: human and cultural diversity, practice methodologies, assessment, intervention and evaluation, social welfare policy and services, policy development, human behavior and social environment, social advocacy, social and economic justice, research, social work values and ethics, and populations at-risk.
It’s important to note: You want to be sure that your time and effort were well spent with a CSWE accredited program, regardless of the level of degree you intend to achieve. You won’t be able to work as a licensed social worker unless you obtain a degree from an accredited institution or university.
What Is an LSW Degree?
An LSW is not a degree; rather, it refers to the title of professional who has completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in social work and has been licensed by the state in which they practice.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Licensed Social Worker?
The time it takes to acquire the credits needed to complete the curriculum varies. The following are six factors to consider:
- Obtaining credit for work and life experience
- Testing out of college coursework with a placement test
- Transferring existing college credits
- The level of degree you wish to achieve
- Fieldwork hours
- Your enrollment in a full-time, part-time, or accelerated program
It typically takes four years to complete a bachelor’s degree in social work. However, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in social work much sooner with an online accelerated program.
After you’ve completed a CSWE accredited bachelor’s degree program, the next step is to become licensed in the state where you’ll be practicing. You will be a licensed social worker after gaining this appropriate licensure.
Certification and Licensing
Because social work is a licensed profession, you must first earn your degree from an approved institution, then apply and pass an exam to become a LCSW.
According to the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), there are four steps you’ll need to take to become a licensed social worker:
- You must first apply for a social work license and be preapproved to take the licensing exam. You will apply to your state’s social work board, which is the state where you will practice.
- You can register with ASWB to take the exam and pay the necessary fee once your state or provincial social work board has approved your application.
- You will schedule a testing appointment with Pearson VUE after receiving your official ASWB Authorization to Test.
- You will take and pass your examination for social work licensure.
The social work board in your state or province regulates social work practice, determines eligibility, issues your license, and handles license renewal. The ASWB does not regulate social work practice. The organization supports your state or province’s social work board by developing the licensing exam.
Please keep in mind that the ASWB and the social work board are two separate organizations.
The current fees for licensing are:
- Associate, Bachelor’s, or Master’s exam registration: $230.00 USD
- Advanced Generalist or Clinical exam registration: $260.00 USD
According to the ASWB, you will receive a printed unofficial score report before leaving the test center. The ASWB and your state’s social work board will receive your official exam results.
Career Options
The good news is that the profession of social work offers a wide range of career opportunities. You can work in a variety of settings, and there are numerous social work positions that you may not know about. As a licensed social worker, you can pursue any of these careers:
- Addiction counselor: Advises and treats those suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction, or other mental or behavioral issues like eating disorders or gambling addictions.
- Child and family therapist: Helps family members communicate more effectively, resolve issues, and function more positively and constructively. They also provide treatment and assistance to children who have been traumatized due to neglect or abuse.
- Disaster social worker: Supports disaster victims by assisting them in coping and recovering and serving a critical role in disaster preparedness and response.
- Foster care social worker: Provides support to children who are part of the foster care system and may help reunite separated families.
- Higher education social worker: Supports students within the college setting in counseling and student affairs to help students achieve academic and personal growth.
- Juvenile counselor: Provides juveniles and their families with resources, support, and direction. They educate children on how to change unhealthy behaviors and deal with situations.
- Marriage and family counselor: Helps people manage and overcome problems with family and other relationships. They provide guidance and suggestions for possible solutions that could help to improve relationships.
- Medical social worker: Helps patients and their families deal with complex diagnoses and makes arrangements for after a hospital stay or illness.
- Mental health counselor: Helps in the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of mental and emotional health illnesses such as depression and grief, as well as relationship and life issues.
- Trauma counselor: Assists people in processing traumatic situations and developing coping mechanisms for the associated emotions and lingering symptoms.
- Veterans health administrator: Assists in the proper management of VA healthcare facilities and departments, ensuring the delivery of quality health care to veterans to improve their health and well-being.
This list is by no means exhaustive as this career field is very versatile. Individuals, groups, communities, and societies benefit from the work of those in this profession.
What Is the Salary for an LSW?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for social workers was $51,760 in May 2020.
It’s best to keep in mind that a range of factors influences income, such as location, work environment, experience, and the type of social work performed.
For example, in the District of Columbia, Child, Family, and School Social Workers earn a median annual compensation of $71,840, while in Pennsylvania, the same type of employment pays $46,110.
What Is the Job Outlook for an LSW?
A social worker’s career opportunities are not only bright but are predicted to grow at a faster rate than other occupations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of social workers is expected to increase by 12% between 2020 and 2030.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the demand for mental health and substance abuse addiction social workers is expected to climb 15% between 2020 and 2030. Furthermore, drug offenders are increasingly rehabilitating at treatment centers staffed by these social workers rather than being sent to jail.
Additionally, the employment of healthcare social workers and child, family, and school social workers is predicted to grow by 13% between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS.
Skills
While there are a plethora of skills that would benefit you as a social worker, there are three that are particularly important. If you’re not sure if you have these abilities yet, don’t panic.
Active Listening
You will do a lot of listening, interviewing, reporting, and other activities in your daily work. Active listening will not only help you pay attention to what a client is saying to you, but it will also contribute to the development of the relationship. When you listen to and understand your client’s needs, they will realize that they, as well as their current situation, are important to you.
Making eye contact, not speaking over someone, allowing natural pauses in conversation, being open without judgment, asking questions, and summarizing are all ways to practice active listening.
Cultural Competence
Cultural competence is a vital social work skill that can help improve the effectiveness of services with culturally diverse clients. Social workers must respect cultural beliefs and practices to work effectively with clients from various backgrounds. They can also use their cultural knowledge to better understand their clients’ backgrounds and customs. Also, social workers must ensure that they have the necessary communication and counseling skills to interact effectively with people with varying cultural experiences.
Social workers must possess a non-judgmental approach, understand diversity, and recognize the value of individual differences to provide clients with what they need.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking in social work practice involves looking at a person or situation from an objective and neutral standpoint without jumping to conclusions or making assumptions. In the process of helping, social workers engage people as partners, elevating service to others above their self-interest.
Social workers need to be able to collect information from observation, interviews, and research to make a fair evaluation of each case. Social workers can make educated decisions, locate the greatest resources, and build the best approach to serve clients by thinking critically and without prejudice.
Pursue a Career as a Licensed Social Worker
Are you ready to take the next step? Explore which accredited programs are available and which is right for you to begin your exciting career in social work.
