An LCSW, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is a licensed professional who can offer a number of services that are intended to better the lives of clients or the community as a whole. These services may include providing case management, resources, emotional support, therapy, education, and more. An LCSW may have some similarities to other careers that involve working with people, but the main difference is the approach. An LCSW’s education is holistic, informing them on how all aspects of a person’s life leads them to where they are today.
The process of becoming an LCSW is quite involved, but each step is preparing you for the important task of helping people through some of the hardest parts of their lives. It involves earning a master’s degree and license. However, the career of a social worker is in demand in most states. Below is an overview of the median income to expect and job outlook for the United States according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Social Workers
- Median Annual Income: $53,940-$64,770
- Job Outlook: 7% (faster than average occupation)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the median annual wages for different social work careers is as follows:
- Social workers, all other: $63,770
- Healthcare social workers: $62,940
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $55,960
- Child, family, and school social workers: $53,940
- The lowest ten percent earned less than $38,400 and the highest ten percent earned more than $94,910.
When looking at the above data, it’s important to remember that the income and job outlook depends on the state. It can also come down to the type of organization you work for or even the city you live in. It can also depend on years of experience or the type of social work you do. The income above includes social work careers that only require a bachelor’s degree. The income may be higher for the income for master’s level social workers. Although it can vary, medical social work tends to often pay the most of any specialty. To find a closer estimate of what you might make as a social worker in your state, visit O*Net Online and explore the different kinds of social work careers.
This article reviews different parts of the social work education process and career to help you determine if it is right for you.
Why are LCSWs important?
LCSWs are important to communities and individuals alike. Micro social workers work with clients one on one or in small groups to help them with mental health struggles, behavioral issues, or life problems. They provide these individuals with emotional support and resources to help them meet their goals. LCSWs provide clinical counseling to clients, which can help them cope with mental illness. Macro social workers advocate for the well-being of communities. They do this by promoting certain policies, or educating the public on health and wellness. LCSWs receive an education that informs them on social welfare, human behavior, research methods, social justice, intersectionality, and more. These are all important topics to handle the issues of a wide variety of populations.
Social workers are also important because mental health is a big problem in the United States. Licensed clinical social workers have the ability to mitigate the problem by helping people cope with their mental illness and advocate for policy change. In the US, 20% of individuals experience a mental illness (this is one in five people!). It is a particular issue among youth, with three in five teen girls experiencing sadness everyday according to Compass Health Center. The article also states that 51% of youth were treated for a mental illness in 2023. LCSWs help cover the high need for therapists and other mental health professionals to navigate those who are suffering.
What do LCSWs do?
LCSWs approach problems through a broad, holistic lens. They take into account the multiple areas that may be affecting someone’s life experience and behavior. This includes things like poverty, mental illness, race, class, health, life experiences, and much more. A social worker can help people by understanding how these things intersect and the best strategies to navigate the issues the client is experiencing.
To perform their job, a social worker may meet with clients or families to assess their concerns. From there, a social worker will likely create something like a treatment plan, or a long term plan and strategy to meet the goals of the client. Some duties depend on the area the social worker is in. Social workers in child and family systems might help coordinate foster homes for children in need of a home, and might have a caseload of foster kids. Licensed clinical social workers may provide therapy to clients. Most social workers will conduct research and collaborate with other organizations to provide resources to clients to meet their needs such as housing or food.
In summary, the main job duties of a social worker typically involve providing support to clients face to face, documentation, collaboration with other social workers and organizations that also serve the client, providing resources, and more. There can be some crisis work involved as well, so the ability to handle stress is important.
Careers Similar to LCSWs
There are multiple types of careers that are similar to an LCSW. Each of these careers requires an advanced degree, practicum hours, and involves working closely with clients to solve life problems or mental health issues. However, the way that they each approach client care is different. Below are the careers similar to LCSWs.
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). An LPC is trained in counseling someone in areas such as mental illness or behavioral change, while an LCSW assesses things from a holistic perspective. The strategy of LPCs is grounded primarily in psychology. LPCs may also find themselves working at outpatient centers, while LCSWs may be more likely to work at social service organizations.
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT). An LMFT is different from an LCSW in that the former focuses on the dynamics of familial and romantic relationships. An LMFT specifically studies families and overlapping issues when in their master’s program, while an LCSW’s education is focused on solving issues from a social justice perspective
- Psychologist. A psychologist differs from the above careers, including an LCSW, in that it requires earning a doctoral degree. Because of this advanced degree, a psychologist can do things like psychological testing to diagnose complex conditions like schizophrenia or autism. A psychologist can also conduct research to contribute to the field of psychology and general knowledge of mental health.
Social Work Areas of Specialization
The areas of specialization in a social work program allow you to learn more about one particular subject area. Specializations allow you to customize your master of social work education program to an extent, and tailor what you learn to suit your future career and who you work with. There are many possible specializations, but they aren’t offered by every MSW program. It’s important to look at what each program offers to see what fits you.
Below is an example of some specializations offered in master’s of social work programs.
- Clinical Social Work. This is a specialization that is particularly helpful for people who want to become licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs). LCSWs are capable of providing mental health diagnoses and therapy to people. This specialization provides education on assessing and treating mental illnesses and the complex social issues around these disorders.
- Micro Social Work. This specialization is for individuals who are interested in working with individuals or small groups. Someone performing micro-level social work might help individuals and families with resources or solve other problems in their lives, such as finding housing.
- Macro Social Work. The macro social work specialization is for individuals who want to work at an administrative or advocacy level. Someone with this specialization might learn about how social systems and policy works. While all social workers learn this, the macro specialization goes into it in more depth.
- Aging and Gerontology. This specialization helps students learn about the challenges of aging populations. It often covers how to care for these populations and create awareness about what they might need.
- Criminal Justice. This specialization teaches students about the criminal justice system, as well as what complex social causes and behaviors can cause someone to become involved in the system. It also goes over things like substance abuse, mental health, and more.
How to Become an LCSW
To become an LCSW, you must earn a master’s degree, undergo hours of experience, and take a licensing exam. This can take more than eight years depending on where you are starting. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you will start at the beginning of the steps below. This includes approximately four years to earn the bachelor’s degree, then two years to earn the master’s degree. Earning the practicum hours to become licensed may also take a couple of years. However, if you already have a bachelor’s degree, the process may be faster for you, especially if you already work in social services. The steps to become an LCSW are outlined below.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree. To become a licensed clinical social worker, you must earn a master’s degree and social work license. However, to get into a master of social work program, you must first have earned a bachelor’s degree. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in social work or another related subject. If you do earn your bachelor’s degree in social work, you should try to ensure that the degree program has been accredited by the CSWE. Earning a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program may allow you to qualify for an advanced standing masters of social work program, which takes about half the time of the standard program. If you have a bachelor’s degree in something other than social work, you can still apply for the traditional MSW program at your school of choice.
- Apply for and enroll in a CSWE-accredited master’s degree program. There are many MSW programs in the US that have been accredited by CSWE. Determining which one to attend depends on many factors such as where you live, the format of the program, and much more. To enroll in an MSW program, you will need to fulfill their application requirements. This often requires submitting a personal essay, references, the transcript from your bachelor’s degree, and other information, depending on the university. The MSW program takes 2-4 years depending on if you are enrolled in a part time or full time program. If needed there are many online master’s degree programs available that offer a higher level of flexibility.
- Complete the supervised field experience requirements. The requirements to complete a social work program involve a practicum. The practicum involves applying what you have learned to real-world scenarios including working with people face to face. However, this experience isn’t over once you graduate. To become a licensed clinical social worker, the next step towards licensure involves completing a certain number of hours with clients under the supervision of someone who has already been licensed for a few years. The specifics of this will be up to your state’s licensing board, but you typically will have to complete 2,000-4,000 hours of practice.
- Take the ASWB licensing exam. To apply to take the exam, you will want to make sure that you have met all the requirements for licensure. Licensure for clinical social workers is regulated by each individual state and they use their own boards to determine the requirements for candidates. The exam will be the ASWB Licensing Exam (clinical category).
- Apply to Become an LCSW. As previously mentioned, the licensure requirements for social work vary by state. It’s important to familiarize yourself with them so you can submit all the application requirements for your state. Once your test scores and application has been processed, you will be allowed to practice clinical social work independently in your state.
- Maintain Your License. After you are licensed, the journey isn’t over yet. To renew your license, you will need to take continuing education units (CEUs). The requirements to renew your license differ by state, but it is typically every two years. CEUs ensure that you are staying up to date with knowledge in the field.
Masters in Social Work Program Accreditation
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the organization that accredits master of social work programs in the United States. There are two main types of accreditation: institutional, or specialized/programmatic. The accreditation that CSWE provides to schools is programmatic, meaning that they accredit the social work programs within the school itself. Alternatively, institutional accreditation provides it to the school as a whole.
The CSWE accreditation is an important feature to social work programs. Accreditation ensures that the information being taught is of good quality, and prepares you for a social work career. The CSWE has established certain requirements that social work programs must meet in order to be accredited. Students in CSWE-accredited MSW programs will meet certain core competencies that involve things such as ethical behavior, familiarity with policy practice, advancing human rights and social justice, promoting diversity, and more.
The CSWE is the organization that sets the standards for MSW curriculum, and the requirement that students must get a field education. These standards are applied to MSW programs across the state. While each state has slightly different licensing requirements, the educational standards are consistent due to CSWE.
LCSW Licensure vs Certification
To become a social worker, you need to at least earn a master’s degree in social work. Many social work careers, such as a licensed clinical social worker, require practicum hours and taking the licensing exam, as outlined in the previous section. That being said, there is sometimes confusion between a license and certificate. Getting a social work license is the end road of a long process of education and experience. Depending on the state, there are different types of licensing exams that can allow you to do different levels of a social work career. Meanwhile, a certificate is something that can be earned by a social worker to enhance their education and knowledge. Someone might also pursue a certificate if they want to work with a certain population and wish to learn more.
Below are some examples of certificates you might find offered in social work programs. These aren’t all offered in every program, but it is an example of what you might find. Enrolling in a program with a certificate you like might help you decide where to attend.
- Advanced Clinical Social Work
- Social Work and Nursing Practice
- Aging
- Social Work with Military Families
- Social Work & Public Health
- LGBTQ Issues
- Mental Health
- Substance Use Disorder
You can also earn a certificate for social work after you have graduated. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers this option with a number of credentials people with an MSW can apply for.
How to Find the Best Social Work Program
Because there are so many great masters of social work programs out there, it can be hard to choose which one is best for you. There are many different factors to consider. Some of the most important factors are discussed below, to help you make the important decision of where to attend your social work program.
Online vs In-Person Programs
Some LCSW programs offer an in-person learning format, while others take place online. Each format may benefit you depending on how you prefer to work and what your lifestyle needs are. Online programs are particularly helpful if you work a full-time job already, and don’t have time to attend classes during the day. Attending class online can also benefit people who can focus better in their own home environment. To do an online MSW program, you should ideally be an organized self starter. Mostly online programs include a couple of visits to the campus throughout the program. Others may benefit more from an in person MSW program. This format can be beneficial to those who value connecting with their instructors and classmates face-to-face. Others focus better in a classroom environment.
In-State vs Out-of-State Programs
Going to an MSW program that is in your state or in another state depends on your preferences. If affordability is most important to you, then looking into public state universities might be your priority. Their tuition tends to be more affordable for residents of the state they are in because some of the expenses are covered through tax dollars. If you find an MSW program that suits your lifestyle or has features you like, then an out-of-state program is something to consider as well. It really comes down to what matters the most to you. Luckily, there are many excellent MSW programs to choose from in the United States.
Accreditation
Looking at a program’s accreditation status is a good strategy to decide where you want to go. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the accreditation you want to look for with MSW programs. The CSWE ensures that the programs are providing an innovative and quality education that prepares students for their future careers, as well as the social work licensing exam. The standards of accreditation are determined by experts in the field of social work.
Directory of Marriage and Family Therapy Programs
To look for MSW programs that are accredited by CSWE, you can search for programs through the CSWE directory. You can find programs in your state, or search for programs that are available in person or online. The directory is helpful because it tells you if a program is currently accredited, or was previously in the past.
How to Afford a Social Work Degree
Affordability may be a big roadblock for those who are trying to pursue higher education. Luckily, there are multiple ways to pay for an MSW program. Some of these strategies are things like loans that have to be paid back. Others are grants or scholarships, which don’t have to be paid back. A combination of these strategies can help you pursue your goals.
General Funding: FAFSA
The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is an important resource if you need financial aid. It is the main source of funding for thousands of students across the United States. This should be filled out during the application period each year that you are in school to receive any aid that you may be eligible for. The application determines what aid you are eligible for based on factors such as your income and family size. The FAFSA may be able to help you receive aid such as grants, which do not have to be paid back, or federal loans. While federal loans do have to be paid back, they tend to have a much lower interest rate than private loans.
As of 2024, the website also has information on student loan forgiveness and debt relief.
Scholarships
Scholarships, like grants, are another way to pay for school that doesn’t have to be paid back. Scholarships can be earned through demonstrating academic success, or other ways, such as meeting certain application criteria or writing an essay. It all depends on the requirements of the organization giving the scholarship. Below are some places to find MSW program scholarships.
Another way of finding grants is by looking on the website of the university you are interested in attending. Many universities and programs within them offer certain scholarships for people in the programs. You can also call the financial aid office to see what might be available. It’s important to find these scholarships before the school year starts if possible to fund the tuition.
When looking for financial aid, try first to fund your education through assistance that does not have to be paid back, such as grants and scholarships. Loans can be helpful as well, but should be a secondary resource.
Conclusion
Social work is an in-demand career that involves helping others in multiple different ways. You can become a social worker with just a bachelor’s degree, but if you want to become a licensed clinical social worker, you should go for a master’s degree in social work from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Becoming an LCSW allows you to pursue a more involved social work career such as managing a social services organization or nonprofit. With a license, you can also become a therapist and even open up your own private practice, where you can independently set your prices. Social work can be a difficult career, but many people ultimately find it to be rewarding.
Resources to Become an LCSW
CSWE-Accredited Social Work Programs
Social Work Programs with No GRE Requirement
Social Work Programs with Advanced Standing Option
Doctorate in Social Work Programs
