Learning how to become a social worker can be the first step toward entering this noble profession that is focused on making a difference for other people.
Social workers provide support during some of the most challenging situations in life, so social work training is essential before starting this career.
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In a college degree program, you can learn the skills needed to be a social worker and get ready for social work licensure in your state.
How to Become a Social Worker
It can take 4 years or more to become a qualified social worker in your state. The journey to this career can vary, but here are the general steps in the process:
- Choose a college. You can earn a degree in social work from many reputable schools. According to the US Department of Education (ED), accreditation is a sign of a quality college. It’s strategic to select a school that holds regional accreditation. In this field, it’s also essential to choose an institution that has programmatic accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
- Earn a bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is the common choice for those who plan to become a social worker. You may do fieldwork in a supervised setting as part of your undergraduate education.
- Apply for introductory licensure. In some states, a social work license is available for people with a BSW. In others, you can get a social work job with just a degree—no license required.
- Pursue a graduate degree. Your social work career can benefit from a Master of Social Work (MSW). Most programs accept students with a bachelors in any field, so if you decide to switch careers, this may be the place to start. A masters is also a common next step for those with a BSW. During a masters program, you will complete a practicum in which you accrue hundreds of supervised work hours.
- Pass an exam. Most states require you to pass a social work examination—such as the one from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)—before you can apply for licensure.
- Apply for your state license. Social work licenses at the graduate level go by various names. Your state may offer the licensed master social worker (LMSW) designation for anyone with a CSWE accredited MSW and a passing exam score.
- Gain postgraduate experience. Working at an approved site under the supervision of an experienced social worker can help you gain essential experience for advanced licensure. Before you can move on to the next phase of social work licensure, your state may require you to complete thousands of supervised hours.
- Apply to become an LCSW. With a graduate degree and experience, you may be ready to apply for the title of licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). In general, the difference between an LMSW vs. LCSW is that an LCSW can work independently to provide therapy, whereas an LMSW must be supervised by a more advanced provider.
The social worker education requirements and additional qualifications vary among states, so it’s beneficial to learn exactly what is required where you live.
Social Worker Specialty Areas
Since social workers play a role in many different settings, students pursuing a degree in social work may choose to get focused training in a specific area of this field. Common specialty areas include:
- Aging. Also known as gerontology, this specialty addresses people’s needs as they grow older.
- Child welfare. When children are in unsafe living environments, child welfare workers may conduct visits, place children in foster care, and work toward family reunification.
- Criminal justice. In the legal system, social workers can deliver expert testimony, work as correctional counselors, or offer support for victims.
- Medical. In healthcare settings, medical social workers provide patients and their families with information about health services, financial support, and stress management.
- Mental health. Social workers with the appropriate licensure may provide assessments, treatment plans, and therapy for patients who are dealing with stress, trauma, or mental health disorders.
According to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), programmatic accreditation is available for generalist bachelor’s degree programs. At the master’s degree level, CSWE offers accreditation for specialty areas as well as generalist programs.
3 Things You Can Do as a Social Worker
There are various types of social workers, and they work in different employment settings depending on their specialty area.
Social workers also have opportunities for advancement, so there are entry-level jobs as well as supervisory positions in the field.
1. Healthcare Social Worker
Hospitals often employ healthcare social workers who provide essential services to patients and their families. In this role, you could help people understand the information they receive from their medical providers.
You might also help people learn about financial assistance programs, rehabilitation facilities, or home care services. You might specialize in working with the elderly or people with terminal diseases.
2. School Social Worker
K-12 schools hire social workers to help students thrive in the educational environment and the community.
If you become a school social worker, you might serve as a liaison between parents and school personnel or brainstorm strategies to help kids learn better. You could also talk to children about issues they are facing.
3. Social and Community Service Manager
As you gain experience in social work, you may have the opportunity to pursue a management role.
As a social work manager, you could be responsible for overseeing personnel, maintaining a budget, and heading up programs. Some social work managers supervise Master of Social Work (MSW) graduates who are gaining the necessary hours for licensure.
Social Worker Careers & Salaries
Social work graduates can become social workers in various settings, or they can take on an assortment of related jobs that involve helping others or improving communities.
How much does a social worker make? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for people who work in the community and social service sector is $49,380, and social workers have a median salary of $55,350.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,240 |
| Postsecondary Social Work Teachers | $66,510 |
| Social Workers (All Others) | $61,420 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $60,280 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $56,570 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $51,240 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $50,820 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $49,710 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $39,990 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $38,520 |
Many of the above jobs require specific licensure in addition to a degree in social work or a related field.
Factors to Consider Before Becoming a Social Worker
Becoming a social worker generally takes several years. Here are some things to consider about this career path before you begin your education:
- Personal characteristics. To be a successful social worker, it’s beneficial to be empathetic, organized, and a good problem-solver. Social workers often deal with hard situations, so knowing how to put professional distance between yourself and your clients can be invaluable.
- Salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that most social workers earn between $36,600 and $87,300 each year. The median salary for social and community service managers is $74,240.
- Specialization area. Social workers are involved in many different parts of a community. It’s helpful to think about what kind of social worker you’d prefer to be. For example, you might want to work in schools, the criminal justice system, or private practice therapy offices.
- State regulations. Every state has its own titles and licensure procedures for social workers. Before committing to this career, you might want to look over your state’s rules to see how much education and how many supervised practice hours you’ll be required to complete.
The more you know about social work, the better equipped you’ll be to decide whether this line of work is right for you.
What Does a Social Worker Do?
A social worker advocates on behalf of others to help them live successful lives. People in this profession provide guidance and support to help their clients overcome obstacles or deal with stressful situations.
Social workers often work one-on-one with individuals or families to provide personalized support. They may conduct assessments, keep case records, provide contact information for community services, or offer therapy.
There are also social workers who coordinate these services on a larger scale. For example, someone might act as a social work director for a prison or a hospital. Social workers can also advocate for public policy shifts.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Social Worker?
Many people enter the social work profession by earning a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). In some states, a BSW can qualify you for licensure. Other states don’t have licensure programs for entry-level social workers.
Getting a master’s degree can help you advance in the field. A master’s program might include:
- Internships or other supervised experiences
- Lessons on assessing clients and providing therapy
- Opportunity to pursue a specialty
- Research skills and evidence-based practices
You’re often required to hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) to become licensed as a clinical social worker who independently counsels clients. For licensure, it’s also necessary to have work experience and a passing exam score.
Where Do Social Workers Work?
Many social workers are employed by government or private social service agencies. They may provide care for children, families, the elderly, or people with special needs. Others work in hospitals. They serve as liaisons between patients and their families, healthcare providers, and support organizations in the community.
Social workers may assist staff and students in schools. As an integral part of an educational team, they help ensure that students have safe, secure learning environments. Those who work as therapists may be in private practice, whether on their own or in a larger healthcare practice.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Social Worker?
If your state allows you to become a social worker after earning a BSW, you may be able to enter this job in 4 years or less.
For positions that require a master’s degree, you can expect to spend around 6 years in school. Many MSW programs last for about 2 years with full-time study. Licensure requires passing an exam. Some states encourage applicants to start studying for the exam while in grad school.
You may also be required to complete thousands of hours of postgraduate work experience in a supervised setting. Depending on your state’s requirements, this can take around 1 year or more.
Getting Your Social Worker Degree Online
Being a social worker is an important role. As a social worker, you could have opportunities to make a meaningful difference for others.
First, though, it’s necessary to complete the required steps to become a social worker so that you can be prepared for the job. You can earn one or more degrees in the field of social work, depending on the regulations in your state. The more education you get, the further you can advance as a social worker.
Both undergraduate and graduate social work degrees are available online from accredited colleges. You can start exploring online social work degree programs today to find the one that’s right for you.
