In 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics listed the median pay for social work positions in various industries as: To get started in the field, take a look at our online bachelor’s in social work degree program. Visit your websites of your local and state/provincial government to look for social work jobs in your community. Ideally, you should major in social work and earn a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare (BASW), which usually takes about four years to complete. Social work is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of careers. The MSW will open many doors to practice in a wider range of social work careers. » How to Become a Social Worker in Texas | Texas defines the scope of professional social work as the application of social work knowledge, theory, methods and professional ethics in order to enhance or restore the social situation of an individual on a socio-economic, psycho-social or medical level. For tips on how to find a job as a social worker, scroll down! High job satisfaction, stability and a fulfilling career path make becoming a social worker the perfect opportunity if you’re looking to do good and make a positive change in your community. One day you might be assessing a family’s situation and developing a plan of action, while the next day you could be involved in crisis management. Popular places to intern are at local nonprofit organizations, clinics or hospitals. Many states and governmental bodies allow you to take the exam at least twice. Before we dive straight into guiding you how to become a social worker, let’s first look at all the basics to help you gain a clear and thorough understanding of what exactly this profession entails. Just know that licensing for this position is required in every state. Most of these positions consist of working in direct-service roles, like as a caseworker. CSWE degree accreditation is often required by insurance companies, state licensing boards, graduate programs, and many employers. There are multiple paths to a career in social work, but most start with obtaining a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related area such as psychology, sociology, or criminal justice. To receive your license, you may be required to: Once you’re licensed, your job title will also be dependent on where you are. If you're in a state that only requires a bachelor's degree to be a... 2. Pre-social work classes include: introduction to social work, introduction to psychology, and human biology. Getting Licensed and Certified 1. Take the exam to become a licensed social worker. For a more robust education a Master of Social Work (MSW) with CSWE accreditation which is the standard and usually mandatory. Contact your licensing authority about continuing education requirements, as they vary. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. However, if you do not have a college degree—but have at least a high-school diploma or GED—you can still work in the field of social work, although you will likely have a job title of “case aide” or “social services assistant.” Social workers must have a degree in social work (BA), or master’s degree in social work. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. How to Become a Social Worker Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Level Social Work Degree Social worker education requirements include the completion of … Apply to the professional representative body of social workers in Australia – the Australian Association of Social Workers. If you want to pursue a social work career with more options, you must earn an MSW and apply for a licensed master of social work (LMSW). They also sometimes work under a licensed clinical social worker, psychiatrist, or a psychologist. "Master's degree programs usually take 1 or 2 years to complete.". To become a social worker, you'll need to be a good communicator and enjoy working with people since you'll be tasked with helping children and adults who are in difficult situations. You may also be able to find internships where you can get a taste for a certain speciality in a hands-on way. Already an online student? Social worker positions typically require at least a bachelor’s degree, if not a master’s. Perform a certain amount of hours of supervised work. Education: For an entry-level job, you will need at least a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW), but you may be able to get a job if you have a degree in psychology or sociology . If becoming a social worker is your lifelong dream, the first step will be to earn your social work degree from a program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. School social workers, who work with students struggling with emotional problems and accessing special education services. While you can become a licensed social worker with just a bachelor’s, most states require you to hold a master’s degree to become a licensed clinical social worker. It’s the perfect way to earn your degree in a convenient online structure, and you’ll have the required education to compete for entry-level positions or go on to pursue your master’s degree. Common social worker skills. Earn a Degree in Social Work Typically a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is the baseline degree to start your journey in a Social Work Career. As evident as this may seem, helping to change lives is one of … (The LCSW degree focuses on the clinical aspects of social work, is more involved, and requires more supervised field hours). To become a social worker, you will need to study a three year undergraduate degree or a two year postgraduate degree in social work that is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Candidates who received their master's degrees in other states each need to complete an 18-hour course on California law and professional ethics before becoming registered as an ASW. Undergraduate majors such as psychology, human services and sociology can also prepare you for an MSW program. As opposed to LMSWs who work in case management, LCSWs work one-on-one with patients to offer therapy and other clinical assistance. You may often see variations of the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker job title listed as LISW, LCSW or LICSW. Many universities in the United States require 480 hours of practical field work. As you progress toward becoming a social worker, you’ll need to select a speciality as soon as you can since there are a variety of practice areas available. Steps to Become a Social Worker. Below are common steps to become a social worker. Social work is a field that will always have jobs. Many social work jobs in Western Europe require a masters degree as a prerequisite. For tips on how to find a job as a social worker, scroll down! % of people told us that this article helped them. Check out our Student Resources section for what you need to maximize your learning. From systems issues to constrained resources to user demands to increased security concerns, it’s a never-a-dull-moment environment, whether you work in corporate America, for…, Local government (not including hospitals or education)$54,430, State government (not including hospitals or education), Helping people with Social Security or welfare, Perform a certain amount of hours of supervised work, Pursue continuous education opportunities. LMSW's tend to work in case management for children or people seeking public assistance. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. It depends what type of social work you want to be involved in. A bachelor’s degree is typically the first step in pursuing a career in … This is typically completed in 2 semesters during the 4th year of the degree. UC Online has additional tips and tricks to ensure you are on the path to success. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. There are a number of routes you can take to become a social worker. But if an internship isn’t available to you in your chosen speciality, any experience you can get in your community will be beneficial and should satisfy experience requirements. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. After you complete your coursework and your field work, you’ll be able to graduate. It has a chapter in every state of the United States. Give evidence in court. Pursue continuous education opportunities. Educational Requirements. How many years do I have to study to become a social worker? Below is an overview of job responsibilities, skills, working conditions and salary information for this exciting and rewarding career. Most international social workers will first fulfill the requirements needed to obtain a degree in social work in general. Last Updated: December 21, 2019 Some of the responsibilities of a social worker include: With the right training and a degree in social work, you’ll be prepared to help people who are struggling with mental illness, addiction, poverty, homelessness and other matters. Hospice social workers, who assist people who are in their final stages of life. By using our site, you agree to our.