If you think you might like to become a social worker, it may be time to take a look at the steps you’ll need to take. The process can look a little different for each person, often depending on which type of social worker you’d like to become and whether you already have college education or if you’re a high school graduate. The following information focuses on how high school graduates can become licensed clinical social workers.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Social Worker?
Before starting to work toward the requirements, you may wish to consider how many years of college you will need to become a social worker. Everyone’s journey is a little different, but in general, it traditionally takes about four years of full-time classes to earn a bachelor’s degree.
An MSW degree will vary in its time to completion, depending on your schedule of classes and the program you choose. An MSW program that leads to licensure will include supervised training and experience hours. After graduating, you must meet any additional licensure requirements for the state in which you plan to work. This generally involves passing a clinical licensure exam.4
Earning Your Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work
All aspiring social workers must have at least a bachelor’s degree.5 It’s ideal to apply to a bachelor’s degree program that specializes in social work, such as a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). This specialized degree program will likely explore key subject areas, such as:
- The cultural applications of social psychology
- The underlying causes of social problems and issues
- The principles, practice and policies of social work
- The perpetuation of societal stratification and inequalities
In addition, an accredited social work degree program should explore case management skills and social work direct practice skills.
Applying to a Graduate Degree Program
If you intend to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), you must earn a master’s degree.5 A Master of Social Work degree program typically explores matters pertaining to social justice and societal inequalities as well as ethical and professional behavior. In addition, students have the opportunity to develop advanced social work practice skills to empower clients who are struggling with various challenges, including psychopathologies.
Gaining Supervised Work Experience
The licensure requirements to become an LCSW vary from one state to the next. You should double-check the requirements for the state in which you plan to practice. In general, you can expect to complete a certain number of supervised work experience hours before acquiring licensure.5 Depending on the MSW program, you may be able to complete some of these hours during your program.
During your supervised work experience, you can expect to work directly with individuals and perhaps with groups. You will have the opportunity to use evidence-based mental health therapeutic techniques to help your clients overcome their struggles. You may also connect them to needed community resources designed to help them get their lives back on track. You will meet with your supervisor at regular intervals to discuss client cases and therapeutic procedures.
Passing the ASWB Exam
Before you can apply for a state license to become a clinical social worker, you must pass a licensure exam. Every state uses the licensure exams administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), which offers licensure exams for those with a BSW or MSW, and those applying for clinical licensure.6
The ASWB exams will evaluate your knowledge in areas such as:6
- Human development
- Diversity and cultural competency
- Behavior in the environment
- Professional relationships and ethics
- Client interventions
Additionally, the clinical licensure exam evaluates your understanding of psychotherapy, clinical interventions and case management.6
Acquiring Appropriate State Licensure
The last step in becoming a social worker is to acquire a social work license in the state in which you wish to practice. Your state licensure board will detail the requirements, which generally include documenting your supervised work experience hours and providing proof of your education.
In addition, it’s important to note that there are different types of social worker licenses, often depending on the level of education you have achieved and the type of social worker you’d like to be. Here’s a look:
- Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): Requires a BSW and successful completion of the ASWB bachelor’s exam, and provides a pathway to pursue entry-level work in the field
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): Requires an MSW and successful completion of the ASWB master’s exam, and provides opportunities to pursue work as a macro social worker
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Requires an MSW, completion of supervised clinical experience hours and successful completion of the ASWB clinical exam, which enables LCSW professionals to practice clinical social work