How to Become a Social Worker

by

Janice Monti, Ph.D.

Updated December 20, 2024

Edited by

Victoria Hudgeons

Reviewed by

Danielle Golightly, LMSW

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Want to become a social worker? Learn about educational and licensing requirements, career and salary prospects, and what it takes to work in this rewarding field.

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If you are passionate about helping others change their lives, a career in social work might be a good fit. This guide explores the specific educational and training requirements needed to become a social worker and what to expect once you enter this rewarding profession.

What Is a Social Worker?

Social workers help individuals, families, and groups navigate challenges in areas, such as housing, food, employment, mental health care, and childcare. They assess clients’ needs, advocate for community resources, connect clients to resources, manage case files, and respond to crises.

Social work practice spans three levels:

• Micro-level: Direct interaction with clients
• Mezzo-level: Working with groups or overseeing programs
• Macro-level: Creating systemic change through policy and research

Social workers typically hold a bachelor’s or master’s in social work and maintain licensure. They may specialize in fields like substance use, school social work, children and families, or healthcare.

Popular Online Social Work Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

How to Become a Social Worker

In some states, it’s possible to become a social worker with an associate or bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree opens up further opportunities.

Becoming a social worker involves several key steps, including higher education, licensure, and practical experience. Here’s an overview of the process:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

The first step to a social work career is to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) or a related field, such as sociology, psychology, or political science. With a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years to complete, you can find employment as a case manager, a child welfare specialist, or in other entry-level positions.

BSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) require 400 hours of supervised fieldwork. Earning a BSW may qualify you to enroll in an advanced-standing master’s in social work (MSW) program. Advanced standing MSWs accept some of your BSW credits, enabling you to complete the degree in as little as one year.

2. Gain Field Experience

Fieldwork is an important requirement for CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs, designed to apply classroom learning to social work settings. In a field placement, you receive practical training and guidance working under the supervision of a licensed social worker. Field placements and internships also provide valuable experience in your area of interest, help you gain confidence, and build your professional network.

CSWE-accredited MSW programs generally require at least 900 hours of field experience. The fieldwork requirement fulfills all or some of the necessary hours of supervised experience needed for licensure.

3. Obtain Social Work Licensure

Because licensure qualifications vary by state, it’s important to verify requirements with your state’s licensing board. To become a licensed social worker, you must fulfill state-specific degree and fieldwork requirements, and pass the appropriate Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam.

In most states, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for an initial or entry-level license, such as the licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW) credential. The licensed master social worker (LMSW), the licensed clinical social worker (LCSW,) or similar advanced licenses require an MSW and supervised field experience. To become a licensed clinical social worker or practice independently, you need to complete an MSW and fulfill the clinical hours required by your state board.

4. Pursue a Master’s in Social Work

You need an MSW to offer direct clinical services, practice independently, or work in administrative roles. This degree typically takes two years to complete, including a minimum of 900 supervised clinical hours. If you hold a BSW, you may qualify for advanced standing, which shortens the time needed to finish your master’s degree. In most states, an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program is required for a clinical social work license.

Graduate training in social work leads to various career opportunities that may not be available to those with only a bachelor’s degree. An MSW prepares you for specializations in mental health, addictions, school, and forensic social work, among other in-demand practice areas.

5. Consider Specialization and Certifications

In addition to completing education, licensure, and experience, you may want to specialize in an area of social work that particularly interests you, such as:

• Addictions and substance use
• Criminal justice
• Healthcare
• Mental health
• School social work

You can also pursue professional certifications offered by organizations like the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) to demonstrate your commitment to the field.

Social Work Licensure Explained

Social work licensure is necessary for those wishing to practice social work professionally. Licensure ensures social workers meet specific educational and work experience requirements and adhere to a professional code of ethics.

Common Types of Social Work Licensure

In most states, becoming a social worker requires obtaining a professional license. However, each state requires different educational, experiential, and supervision requirements. Some common levels of social work licensure include:

• Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): The LBSW requires a BSW degree, fieldwork hours, and a passing score on the ASWB bachelor’s examination. Compared to the LMSW or LCSW, this is considered an initial or limited practice license.
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): This license requires an MSW, fieldwork hours, and a passing score on the ASWB master’s exam. An LMSW can provide generalist social work services and case management, but cannot offer counseling to clients without supervision.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Along with an MSW and a passing score on the ASWB clinical exam, an LCSW must complete more clinical training hours than an LMSW. Unlike LMSWs, the LCSW can diagnose mental conditions and provide counseling and therapy independently.

Social Worker Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for social workers in May 2023 was $58,380. However, how much you earn depends on several factors, including your degree, practice area, and type of employer.

Survey data from the National Association of Social Workers suggests graduate-trained social workers earn at least $13,000 more than those with a BSW. Social workers employed in local government and educational services can make between $62,940 and $64,550 per year. Social workers with a healthcare specialization earn an average annual salary of almost $63,000.

The needs of the aging population and the increasing demand for mental health and addiction treatment have boosted the job outlook for social workers. While the BLS projects an overall 7% job growth for social workers between 2023 and 2033, openings in healthcare and mental health and substance use social work are expected to increase by at least 10%.

Is a Career in Social Work Right for You?

Meeting the necessary licensing requirements may not be enough to prepare you for a social work career. This career also requires a dedication to social justice, a commitment to working with diverse groups of people facing difficult life challenges, and the ability to handle stressful and emotional situations. Characteristics, such as empathy, flexibility, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, are essential to social work practice.

One of the best ways to find out if social work is a good fit is to gain some professional experience. You might volunteer in social work agencies or shadow a social worker during work hours. Joining social work-related groups and online communities or attending workshops and conferences can provide networking opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Become a Social Worker

What are the requirements to be a social worker?

To become a social worker, you must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, complete fieldwork requirements, pass the appropriate ASWB exam, and apply for a state license. You need an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program for a clinical social work license.

How long does it take to become a social worker?

A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years to complete. An MSW requires two more years, although an accelerated or advanced standing program may let you finish in less time. In addition to a BSW and MSW, a licensed clinical social worker must also complete about two years of supervised clinical experience.

Is it hard to become a social worker?

Social work is a rigorous professional degree. Students should have a strong background in statistics, research methods, and biology or other natural sciences. Courses include human behavior and psychology, human rights, ethics, and social welfare policies. One of the biggest challenges in a social work program is keeping up with coursework while fulfilling fieldwork requirements.

What field of social work pays the most?

Licensed clinical social workers, who typically hold at least a master’s degree and the LCSW credential, are generally the highest paid in the field. According to the BLS, the top earners include healthcare social workers and those categorized as “social workers, all others,” such as criminal justice, military social work, and other emerging fields of practice.