How to Become a Forensic Social Worker
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A forensic social worker combines two fascinating fields: social work and criminal justice.
Also known as criminal justice social work, forensic social work combines social work values with knowledge of the legal and criminal justice system. Many forensic social workers routinely work with families, survivors of crime, children, criminal offenders, legal professionals, and law enforcement officers.
Learn more about becoming a forensic social worker, along with their job duties, salary, and career outlook.
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What Do Forensic Social Workers Do?
Forensic social workers apply their social work training to social services and criminal justice issues, enabling them to help people facing various challenges. Employers may require you to hold an LCSW so you can diagnose and treat individuals with mental health and substance misuse conditions. Other common forensic social work duties include:
- Connect families and incarcerated individuals to resources, such as housing assistance.
- Work with other social workers to create and monitor programs that teach incarcerated individuals skills to cope with trauma, substance misuse, or mental health conditions.
- Counsel individuals and groups through trauma, substance misuse, and mental health conditions.
- Evaluate individuals for mental health and substance misuse conditions.
- Testify in court about the mental fitness of individuals or about the progress their clients have made.
- Help victims of crimes fill out paperwork, understand their rights, and navigate the legal system.
Where Do Forensic Social Workers Work?
Forensic social workers work in settings, such as correctional facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and victim support centers.
- Psychiatric Hospitals: Social workers in psychiatric hospitals evaluate and treat mental health conditions for defendants who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity, are awaiting trial, or were found unfit to stand trial.
- Correctional Facilities: Social workers who work in corrections evaluate incarcerated individuals to see if they are eligible for conditional release, work with them to reduce recidivism, and provide the counseling and resources that help prevent recidivism.
- Victim Support and Crisis Centers: Social workers who work with victims of crimes counsel them, help them find resources and fill out paperwork, and make sure they understand their rights.
How to Become a Forensic Social Worker
Each state has a social work licensing board that establishes regulations and licensing standards for social work practice. Aspiring forensic social workers should contact the social work board in the state in which they plan to practice to understand the specific educational and licensing requirements. Although regulations differ by jurisdiction, most requirements follow these steps:
- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor of social work (BSW) is the minimum degree required for entry-level social work positions. If you decide to pursue a graduate degree, many schools allow you to transfer BSW credits toward your master of social work (MSW), shortening the time needed to earn your degree.
- Earn an MSW Degree From an Accredited Program: While MSW programs accept students with various undergraduate degrees, students with a BSW may be able to finish in just one year. In most states, you need an MSW degree accredited by the Council for Social Work Education (CWSE) to practice as a licensed social worker.
- Pass the ASWB Exam: You must pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination designated for your license level. Most forensic social workers pursue the licensed master of social work (LMSW) or licensed clinical social work (LCSW) credential.
- Apply for State Licensure: Each state has its own licensing regulations and requirements for becoming a social worker, including education, experience, and background checks. Check with your state board for specifics.
- Apply for Certification: You do not need certification to be licensed, but certification shows your knowledge and commitment to the field, and most employers require or strongly prefer certification. The National Association of Forensic Counselors offers several certifications, including a certified forensic social worker option.
Education Requirements for Forensic Social Workers
Every state requires at least an MSW to become a licensed social worker. Social workers with a BSW may not practice independently or provide psychotherapy services. Without an MSW, social workers typically find employment in entry-level, non-clinical client services, casework, and administrative positions.
BSW Degree
A BSW combines classroom work and field work to give you a solid overview of social work theory and practice. If you are not sure you want to major in social work, other degrees like psychology, criminology, sociology, or other social sciences can give you a good background for criminal social work.
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate, typically 2.5 GPA or higher
- Program Curriculum: Theory and practice of social work, human behavior, social work interventions. Programs include field work.
- Time to Complete: Typically four years of full-time study
- Skills Learned: Understanding how social work interventions work, conducting basic assessments
MSW Degree
An MSW is the minimum educational requirement to become a LMSW or LCSW. If you have a BSW, you may qualify for advanced standing in an MSW program, which enables you to complete your degree in approximately one year. Not all MSW programs offer forensic social work concentrations, but it is possible to choose electives in related fields such as child and family social work and criminal law.
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, typically a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Program Curriculum: Advanced assessment and intervention, advanced theory. Fieldwork often includes a general session and a specialized session. Many programs arrange placements in a criminal justice setting or other organizations that align with your interests
- Time to Complete: Typically one year for advanced standing students and two years for regular track students
- Skills Learned: How to conduct assessments and interventions in social work, advanced understanding of social work theory
Licensure and Certification for Forensic Social Workers
Social work is a highly regulated profession. To become a social worker in the U.S., you must obtain a license issued through your state social work licensing board. The licensing process ensures that social workers enter the field with the competencies and standards required for safe and ethical practice. In most states, licensed social workers must have an accredited social work degree, pass the appropriate exam for their license level, and meet other state-specific requirements for practice.
The two primary licenses for forensic social work are LMSW and LCSW. Not all states require experience to become an LMSW, but you need approximately 3,000 hours of experience to become an LCSW. With an LCSW license, you can diagnose certain mental health conditions and provide counseling.
You must also pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination, either the master’s or the clinical examination, to earn your license.
Certification in forensic social work is not a requirement for state licensure. However, earning a forensic social work certification demonstrates your knowledge of and commitment to the field and may boost your employment prospects.
The National Association of Forensic Counselors (NAFC) offers several general and specialist certifications, including a certified forensic social worker (CFSW). The National Organization of Forensic Social Workers (NOFSW) offers certifications in forensic social work, immigration, and mitigation. Social workers can also earn a forensic and correctional social work certification from the American Board of Clinical Social Work.
While the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) does not offer specific forensic social work certifications, it offers certifications in related areas such as clinical, addictions, and child and family social work. Most social work certifications require an examination, work experience, and continuing education credits in the field.
Career Outlook for Forensic Social Workers
Forensic social work is a growing field that offers impactful careers in various settings.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects social worker jobs to grow 7% from 2023-2033, which is above the national average. The median salary for all social workers was $58,300 as of May 2023.
According to the BLS, correctional treatment specialists — a job category that includes social workers — earned a slightly higher median annual wage of $61,800 as of 2023, with projected annual job growth matching the 4% national average.
Earnings for forensic social workers can depend on several factors, including experience, education or license level, employer, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forensic Social Workers
What are the requirements to become a forensic social worker?
To become a forensic social worker, you must have a state license. While each state sets its own standards for practice, the minimum requirement is an MSW degree and a passing score on the ASWB examination. Prospective social workers can access the ASWB database to check licensing, supervision, and continuing education requirements in each state.
How long does it take to become a forensic social worker?
An MSW takes approximately one year for students with a BSW and approximately two years for students with another undergraduate degree. It requires a total of 5-6 years of formal education to become a forensic social worker. Depending on the state and license you are seeking, you may need work experience before becoming licensed.
What skills are needed for a forensic social worker?
Depending on the employment setting, you need a thorough understanding of the legal and criminal justice systems in addition to social work training. Because forensic social workers serve diverse partner and client populations, they need strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and cultural competence.
What roles do social workers play in the criminal justice system?
Forensic social workers serve in various roles depending on the client population and employer type. They may provide counseling and therapy to survivors and offenders, assist individuals and families in understanding the legal system, and prepare care and risk assessments. They may also offer services and resources in court cases involving divorce, child custody, and parental rights termination.
