Mariah is a Berlin-based writer with six years of experience in writing, localizing and SEO-optimizing short- and long-form content across multiple niches, including higher education, digital marketing and travel. Her writing expertise extends to bra.
Mariah St. John Education WriterMariah is a Berlin-based writer with six years of experience in writing, localizing and SEO-optimizing short- and long-form content across multiple niches, including higher education, digital marketing and travel. Her writing expertise extends to bra.
Written By Mariah St. John Education WriterMariah is a Berlin-based writer with six years of experience in writing, localizing and SEO-optimizing short- and long-form content across multiple niches, including higher education, digital marketing and travel. Her writing expertise extends to bra.
Mariah St. John Education WriterMariah is a Berlin-based writer with six years of experience in writing, localizing and SEO-optimizing short- and long-form content across multiple niches, including higher education, digital marketing and travel. Her writing expertise extends to bra.
Education Writer Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Updated: May 3, 2024, 3:25am
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Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) play a vital role in their communities by helping individuals, groups and families navigate mental, emotional and behavioral challenges. Through their work, LCSWs improve their patients’ quality of life––a far-reaching impact that causes a ripple effect across all societal levels.
Depending on your strengths, areas of interest and career goals, clinical social work offers many opportunities to empower and strengthen vulnerable populations. If you’re interested in a career that positively impacts the lives of others, read on to learn how to become an LCSW. This article provides a step-by-step guide to becoming a clinical social worker, including educational and licensure requirements.
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A clinical social worker is a licensed healthcare professional who provides comprehensive services to individuals, groups and families. These professionals assess, diagnose, treat and help prevent various mental, emotional, psychological and behavioral challenges. Depending on their specialization, LCSWs may address the following:
LCSWs evaluate several factors impacting a patient’s life—including psychological, environmental, socioeconomic and political influences—to determine the appropriate resources and treatment.
Clinical social workers often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and therapists, to coordinate care and develop personalized and effective treatment plans for their patients.
Some key responsibilities of an LCSW include the following:
Clinical social workers perform their services in various settings, including hospitals, community mental health clinics, schools, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, assisted living facilities, prisons and private practices.
Aspiring LCSWs must earn the required degrees; complete practical training, which includes supervised clinical hours; pass a licensing exam; and fulfill any additional state-specific licensure requirements.
The first step aspiring LCSWs should take is obtaining a bachelor’s in social work (B.S.W.) or a closely related degree like a bachelor’s in psychology or a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Bachelor’s degrees typically require four years of full-time study and comprise general education and major-specific coursework.
A B.S.W. equips students with foundational knowledge in social work theory, policies and practices. This degree includes coursework such as the following:
Many B.S.W. programs include a practicum or internship component, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills in social work practice and gain first-hand professional experience in the field.
LCSWs must earn a master’s in social work (M.S.W.), and the M.S.W. program should be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This degree typically requires two years of full-time study where students explore social work practice theories, social policy, research methodologies, human behavior and ethics.
Many M.S.W. programs offer both general and specialized tracks. Specialized M.S.W. degrees build upon the generalist foundation, focusing on advanced social work practice methods tailored to a particular client type or population. Specialization offerings vary depending on the school, but typical options include the following:
M.S.W. curricula vary by program and specialization, but common core courses include the following:
After earning your M.S.W., you must complete a certain amount of supervised clinical hours to meet state licensure requirements for clinical social workers. Specific hour requirements vary from state to state, but most states require around 3,000 hours, or roughly two years, of supervised clinical experience.
Clinical social workers must obtain licensure from their state licensing board to practice. Before registering for the licensing exam, you must apply for licensure and receive approval from your state’s regulatory board.
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) provides information about state-specific licensing requirements. Review your state’s requirements, as standards vary by state.
ASWB administers the computerized clinical licensing exam, which allows four hours to complete 170 multiple-choice questions, including 150 scored questions and 20 unscored pretest questions. Refer to the ASWB Examination Guidebook to get familiar with the exam content and structure.
Though certification isn’t required to become an LCSW, certifications can provide you with a competitive advantage when applying for jobs.
Certifications recognize your knowledge, skills and expertise in a particular area and demonstrate to potential employers that you’re committed to professional development and your field of work. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers the following clinical certifications:
These certifications help LCSWs gain recognition for their professional achievements and certify knowledge and expertise that meets or exceeds national standards of excellence in specific areas of social work.
The QCSW certification demonstrates clinical social work expertise with individuals, families and groups. This designation is suitable for professionals who demonstrate proficiency in human development theories in a psychosocial context and apply these theories and methods to treat and prevent mental and emotional disorders, disabilities or impairment.
The basic eligibility requirements for this certification include the following:
The CSW-G certification validates clinical expertise for social workers specializing in gerontology. Professionals with the CSW-G designation demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the aging process, plus knowledge of social programs, policies and legislation that specifically affect older adults.
LCSWs in gerontology must demonstrate competency in the challenges of the aging process, including physical and mental health issues, functional capacity, quality of life, long-term care and advanced care planning.
The basic eligibility requirements for the CSW-G certification include the following:
The C-CATODSW certification demonstrates competency in providing specialized prevention, assessment, diagnosis and treatment services related to substance use and addiction. Specific substances can include alcohol, tobacco, prescription medication and illicit drugs.
Professionals with this designation demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the following skills:
The basic eligibility requirements for the C-CATODSW certification include the following:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for social workers is $58,380. Several factors can impact your earning potential in the social work field, including educational background, certifications, professional training, work experience, location and industry.
The BLS forecasts employment for social workers to grow by 7% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the average projected growth rate for all occupations.
Becoming an LCSW can be challenging but is achievable with the proper education, training and preparation. Aspiring LCSWs must earn a master’s in social work, complete supervised clinical training, pass a licensing exam administered by ASWB and meet any additional state-specific licensing requirements.
Generally, it takes four years to earn a BSW, two to three years to obtain an MSW, and two to three years to complete the supervised clinical hours and additional training required to become an LCSW.
Clinical social workers and therapists are both mental health professionals, but their roles differ in a few key ways. Clinical social workers treat mental health and emotional and behavioral challenges holistically, focusing on how social and environmental factors impact and contribute to a patient’s challenges. Therapists typically take psychological approaches to treatment.
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Education WriterMariah is a Berlin-based writer with six years of experience in writing, localizing and SEO-optimizing short- and long-form content across multiple niches, including higher education, digital marketing and travel. Her writing expertise extends to brand strategies and driving small business growth through targeted content. In the last three years, she's primarily produced education-focused content, writing on topics like degree programs, trade schools and career pathways.
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