| Types of Social Work Degrees: | | | | maximum of ten online or home study CE credits are |
| Social workers can earn three types of degrees, as | | | | accepted. |
| defined by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of | | | | • Examination Requirements.a. The examination |
| Labor Statistics: | | | | requirements for licensure as an LCSW include |
| • Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW): "A | | | | passing the Clinical Examination of the ASWB or the |
| bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) degree is the | | | | Clinical Social Workers Examination of the State of |
| most common minimum requirement to qualify for a | | | | California. |
| job as a social worker; however, majors in psychology, | | | | • Scope of practice – Limitations.a.To the |
| sociology, and related fields may qualify for some | | | | extent they are prepared through education and |
| entry-level jobs, especially in small community agencies. | | | | training, an LCSW can engage in all acts and practices |
| Although a bachelor's degree is sufficient for entry into | | | | defined as the practice of clinical social work. |
| the field, an advanced degree has become the | | | | Certified Social Work (CSW): "CSW" means a |
| standard for many positions." | | | | licensed certified social worker. A CSW must have a |
| "BSW programs prepare graduates for direct service | | | | master's degree. |
| positions, such as caseworker, and include courses in | | | | • The practice of certified social work includes:a. |
| social work values and ethics, dealing with a culturally | | | | The supervised practice of mental health therapy by |
| diverse clientele, at-risk populations, promotion of social | | | | observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, |
| and economic justice, human behavior and the social | | | | intervention, and treatment to modify behavior through |
| environment, social welfare policy and services, social | | | | applying generally recognized professional social work |
| work practice, social research methods, and field | | | | principles, methods, and procedures in order to prevent, |
| education. Accredited BSW programs require a | | | | treat, or eliminate mental or emotional illness or |
| minimum of 400 hours of supervised field experience." | | | | dysfunction. |
| • Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW): "A | | | | • Licensure requirements for a certified social |
| master's degree in social work (MSW) is typically | | | | worker.a.A worker must produce certified transcripts |
| required for positions in health settings and is required | | | | from an accredited institution of higher education |
| for clinical work as well. Some jobs in public and | | | | recognized by the division in collaboration with the |
| private agencies also may require an advanced | | | | Social Worker Licensing Board verifying satisfactory |
| degree, such as a master's degree in social services | | | | completion of an a social work education program |
| policy or administration. Supervisory, administrative, and | | | | accredited by the Council on Social Work Education |
| staff training positions usually require an advanced | | | | and an earned master's degree resulting from |
| degree." | | | | completion of that program; or an education program |
| "Master's degree programs prepare graduates for | | | | that contains approved clinical social work |
| work in their chosen field of concentration and continue | | | | concentration and practicum in content. |
| to develop the skills required to perform clinical | | | | • Examination Requirements.a.The examination |
| assessments, manage large caseloads, take on | | | | requirement for licensure as a CSW includes passing |
| supervisory roles, and explore new ways of drawing | | | | the Masters, Advanced Generalist, or Clinical |
| upon social services to meet the needs of clients. | | | | Examination of the ASWB. |
| Master's programs last 2 years and include a minimum | | | | Social Service Worker (SSW): "SSW" means a |
| of 900 hours of supervised field instruction, or | | | | licensed social service worker. An SSW must have a |
| internship. A part-time program may take 4 years. | | | | minimum of a bachelor's degree. |
| Entry into a master's program does not require a | | | | • The practice as a social service worker |
| bachelor's degree in social work, but courses in | | | | includes:a.The supervised or unsupervised use of |
| psychology, biology, sociology, economics, political | | | | professionalsocial work principles and practices, |
| science, and social work are recommended. In addition, | | | | particularly patient and case management.b.DOES |
| a second language can be very helpful. Most master's | | | | NOT include engaging in the practice of mental health |
| programs offer advanced standing for those with a | | | | therapy withan individual, family, group, or any other |
| bachelor's degree from an accredited social work | | | | persons. |
| program." | | | | • Experience Requirements for Licensure as a |
| • Doctorate in Social Work (DSW or Ph.D.): "College | | | | SSW.a.A worker must have 2000 hours of supervised |
| and university teaching positions and most research | | | | social work activity or one year of qualifying |
| appointments normally require a doctorate in social | | | | experience for licensure as a SSW.b.A master's |
| work. DSW's and Ph.D.'s are qualified for research, | | | | degree qualifying an applicant for licensure as an SSW |
| policy analysis, or teaching at the university level." | | | | must a field of social work, psychology, marriage and |
| Licensing Requirements: | | | | family therapy, or professional counseling.c. A worker |
| License requirements can differ between jurisdictions. | | | | must produce certified transcripts from an accredited |
| Following are guidelines for Utah, courtesy of the Utah | | | | institution of higher education recognized by the division |
| Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing | | | | in collaboration with the Social |
| Mental Health Professional Act, 50-60 and the Social | | | | Worker Licensing Board verifying satisfactory |
| Worker Licensing Act Rules, R156-60a. | | | | completion of: |
| For other states' licensing requirements, visit the | | | | (i) a bachelor's degree in a social work program |
| Association of Social Work Boards website: | | | | accredited by the |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): "LCSW" | | | | Council on Social Work Education. |
| means a licensed clinical social worker. An LCSW | | | | (ii) a master's degree in a field approved by the division |
| must have an MSW, DSW, or Ph.D. | | | | incollaboration with the social worker board. |
| • The practice of clinical social work includes:a. The | | | | (iii) a bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, family |
| practice of mental health therapy by observation, | | | | sciences, orother field approved by the division in |
| description, evaluation, interpretation, intervention, and | | | | collaboration with the |
| treatment to modify behavior through applying | | | | Social Worker Licensing Board and also |
| generally recognized professional social work principles, | | | | documentation of 2,000hours of supervised social |
| methods, and procedures in order to prevent, treat, or | | | | work activity approved by the divisionin collaboration |
| eliminate mental or emotional illness or dysfunction. | | | | with the board |
| • Training Requirements for Licensure as an | | | | (iv) a bachelor's degree in any field, if the applicant has |
| LCSW.a. A worker must log 4000 hours of clinical | | | | completed: |
| social work and mental health therapy training. These | | | | A. the equivalent of three credit hours of course work |
| hours must be logged within a two year period and | | | | or other approvedtraining in full-life human growth |
| cannot include hours accrued for education purposes.b. | | | | behavior, abnormal psychology, social work values and |
| The hours must include the following training: individual, | | | | ethics, social welfare, or social welfare policy; |
| family, and group therapy; crisis intervention; | | | | B. an approved social work practice methods course; |
| intermediate treatment; and long term treatment. | | | | and |
| • Continuing Education Requirements for LCSW.a. | | | | C. one year of qualifying experience under the |
| A worker must complete at least 40 hours of | | | | supervision of a licensed certified or clinical social |
| continuing education every two years. The | | | | worker, which experience is approved by the division in |
| coursework must be relevant to social work, be taught | | | | collaboration with the Social Worker Licensing Board |
| be qualified individuals or institutions, and provide proof | | | | • Examination Requirements.a.A worker must pass |
| of attendance.b. For every two-year period, a | | | | the Bachelors Examination of the ASWB. |