How to Become a Social Worker: Your Complete Career Guide

How to Become a Social Worker

Published on: September 30, 2022 | 14 minutes read

By: David Stewart

Psychology

A woman and an older woman sitting in a chair

Many people dream of making a positive difference in the world through their careers. While there are plenty of impactful professions that fit this description, becoming a social worker lets you achieve this goal while improving the lives of people in need.

But before you can positively impact people through social work, you will need to learn how to become a social worker.

To practice in this field of social service, you must complete a specific set of education requirements, fieldwork, exams, and other components. These requirements help to ensure you have the tools necessary to advocate for vulnerable populations, advance social welfare, and improve the lives of people within their communities.

While the exact journey depends on your chosen specialty, the general path is similar for all aspiring social workers. This guide outlines the typical steps that social workers take to enter the profession.

Key Takeaways

Becoming a social worker is a multi-step process that involves education, licensure, and continued upkeep.
Post-secondary education is the foundation of a career in social work, so choosing a reputable university is essential.
Social work comes with its share of challenges, but the right strategies can help you focus on the fulfilling aspects of the field.

Before you embark on the journey of becoming a social worker, it is important to understand the realities and requirements of this unique career path.

Social workers are specialized mental healthcare professionals who support vulnerable populations through individual challenges and systemic struggles. The social work practice can be difficult and emotionally taxing, but it is incredibly rewarding. Future social workers should be aware of the potential for burnout and look into strategies for managing stress.

Social worker skills can be learned in the classroom throughout your education. Some traits, however, cannot be taught. For instance, empathy and resilience are critical for successful social workers. Before you begin your educational journey, look inward to determine if you possess these valuable social worker traits.

Lastly, social workers are expected to adhere to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.^[1] These important professional standards include:

Service
Social Justice
Dignity
Worth of the Person

Aspiring social workers should read the NASW Code of Ethics to see whether it resonates with them.

If you envision yourself helping others, social work is a relevant field. However, social workers are far from the only professionals who support people in need. Counseling is a similar, overlapping discipline, and it is worth understanding the difference between the two before committing to social work.

Social workers look at the “person-in-environment.” They address factors like housing, food security, and general policy.

Counselors, meanwhile, focus primarily on internal psychological processing. They help clients organize and manage their thoughts and feelings.

While both professionals can provide therapy, only specifically licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) are trained to connect clinical diagnoses with social resource navigation.

Once you have confirmed your interest in the field, you can take the first major step in becoming a social worker.

Step 2: Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree

Social workers need to complete specialized education to practice in the field. At a minimum, all social workers must have an undergraduate degree, either to apply for entry-level jobs or to pursue advanced education in social work.

You can either earn your undergraduate degree in social work or another subject. Both options require around four years of full-time study.

One way to become a social worker is to earn your bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW). In a BSW program, you will learn about the fundamentals of social work, human behavior, and the social environment.

Some entry-level jobs within the social work field may only require a BSW to begin work. However, others may require a Master’s in Social Work (MSW).

Bachelor’s Degree in Another Subject

You can also become a certified social worker by completing a bachelor’s degree in another subject before earning your master’s social work degree. Any bachelor’s degree will suffice. Many social workers study behavioral sciences, such as psychology, sociology, communications, or political science, during their undergraduate education.

That said, the benefit of obtaining a BSW over other bachelor’s degrees is that it may help you complete your MSW faster. Some universities offer accelerated MSW programs for students with a BSW. These Advanced Standing MSW programs may take less time to complete. As a result, earning your BSW before graduate school may enable you to start your social work career sooner rather than later.

However, if you have already completed an unrelated bachelor’s degree, you still have options within this field. You may simply need to complete a few prerequisites in addition to your MSW coursework.

Whether you earned a bachelor’s degree in something other than social work or simply want to expand your opportunities after earning a BSW, earning your MSW can be a valuable next step. Many roles require the advanced education an MSW program provides.

Generally, MSW programs take around two years to complete if you attend your program full-time. You may be able to expedite your graduate education if you already possess a BSW. However, your unique MSW path may vary depending on your previous degree, full-time or part-time status, and how quickly you complete your courses.

In an MSW degree program, you will learn about the theory, ethics, and practice of social work. Your curriculum may cover the following social work courses and topics:

Case management
Therapeutic intervention
Advocacy
Policymaking
Diversity
Human rights
Economic, environmental, and social justice
Social work ethics
Research
Grant writing

How to Choose an MSW Program

Before you enroll in an MSW program, it is wise to make sure it meets certain stipulations.

To ensure your degree gives you the necessary qualifications to become a certified social worker, you may want to look for MSW programs that offer:

Accreditation: Accredited MSW programs meet educational standards laid out by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE accreditation is a positive indicator of the quality and rigor of an MSW program. Most states have social work licensure boards that require students to acquire their master’s degrees from CSWE-accredited MSW programs.
Specialization: Social work is a broad field with many potential specializations. For example, you can specialize in working with schoolchildren, veterans, individuals struggling with substance abuse, or medical patients. If you want to serve a certain population, look for an MSW program that offers specialization in that area.
Flexibility: If you are balancing a job, family, or other commitments alongside your education, earning a master’s degree may be easier when you have control over your schedule. For instance, you may prefer to attend classes part-time rather than full-time, or take evening classes. Some MSW programs offer more flexibility than others.
Online offerings: You may also want to choose an MSW program that you can attend online. Online programs may offer more flexibility, especially if you have other obligations or live far from your chosen university’s campus.

MSW Program Overview

Step 4: Fulfill Your Required Fieldwork

Alongside your MSW coursework, you will also need to complete supervised experience and field practicum hours. Supervised social work experience provides social work students with a supportive setting in which to practice their new skills and knowledge.

Most MSW programs require you to complete a minimum of 900 to 1,200 hours of fieldwork to graduate, though accelerated or advanced standing programs may require just 500 hours.^[2]

Generally, you can choose your preferred type of fieldwork. As a result, you can use your fieldwork experiences to explore different social work environments and learn what populations you want to work with in the future.

During your work experience, you can also start thinking about the scope of social work you want to focus on in your career. The three scopes of social work are:

Micro-social work: The micro level of social work involves working with individual clients. As a micro-social worker, you can engage one-on-one with community members in need, such as people in poverty looking for affordable housing or people with substance abuse issues seeking treatment services.

Mezzo-social work: The mezzo level of social work is characterized by working with groups of people in need. At this level, for instance, you may choose to specialize in working with hospital patients, incarcerated people, or schoolchildren.

Macro-social work: At the macro level, you can help make positive changes on a broad scale in your community. For example, you may research and develop helpful social services and programs. Macro-social workers can also advocate for vulnerable populations and advise local policymakers.

Licensure is an important—and often mandatory—part of the process. To work in certain settings and positions, you may need to become licensed to practice as a social worker after earning your MSW.

The social work licensure process may differ slightly depending on where you live and work, as requirements vary by state. In general, however, you will need to:

Register for the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Social Work Licensing exam
Pay the associated registration fees (these typically cost a few hundred dollars)
Take the ASWB Social Work Licensing exam

The ASWB Social Work Licensing exam is typically administered on the computer. It has 170 multiple-choice questions, 150 of which are used to determine your score. You have up to four hours to complete this exam.^[3]

If you pass the ASWB Social Work Licensing exam, you are officially qualified to start practicing social work.

Note that there are several different types of social work licenses you can apply for. The type of license you may want to seek can depend on your level of education and what social work position you hope to apply for.

These licenses are as follows:

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): This license is for students who have earned their BSW. It allows for general practice.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LBSW): This license is for students who have earned their MSW. It allows you to engage in supervised clinical practice.
Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): This license is for students who have their MSW and have completed specialized clinical training and coursework. It allows you to practice clinical social work independently.

To choose the right type of license, research the requirements for the specific social work settings you aim to work in. For example, if you hope to provide mental health care therapy, mental illness treatment, and diagnoses within clinical settings, you will first need to earn your LCSW.

Once you have completed your education and obtained your social work license, you can begin applying for social worker jobs. The social work field is vast and varied, so there are many potential directions to take your career.

What does a social worker do? Here are a few of the common job titles for social workers:

Case manager
Program director
Social services director
School social worker
Medical social worker
Healthcare social worker
Military social worker
Child and family social worker
Licensed clinical social worker
Mental health therapist

If you are not sure where to start your job search, consider reaching out to practicing social workers in your area. These professionals may be able to connect you with helpful career resources or invite you to local networking events.

As an aspiring social worker, salary should not be the only factor you take into account. For maximum job fulfillment and preparedness, it is also worth examining factors like:

State license requirements: State licensure requirements are not identical. Many states permit the transfer of education, experience, and even exam scores from one state to another. If you plan your education and experience around your desired work location, the process of obtaining your license and starting your practice is quicker and smoother.
Scope of practice: Understanding scope helps ensure that the job you apply for aligns with your professional goals, skills, and areas of expertise. It also allows you to work within the boundaries of your training and competencies so you can provide safe, effective services to clients.
Area of specialization: Selecting a specialty within social work allows you to focus on the education and experience requirements needed to fulfill your goals. Options include medical social work, school social work, clinical social work, and many more. When you have a specific area of expertise, you can tailor your efforts to the targeted needs of the populations you serve.
Level of work: Considering the level of work lets you plan for your professional growth and advancement. For example, clinical social workers are at the micro level, so they need an LCSW license to treat individual clients. By setting goals and targeting specific levels of work, you can map out a path for advancement and development in the field.

Step 7: Keep Up With Your Continuing Education Requirements

The field of social work is constantly evolving to accommodate new research, methodologies, and regulations. As a result, social workers must keep up with continuing education to stay updated on the latest developments.

In addition, you may be required to complete continuing education to keep your social work license in good standing. Most states require you to renew your license every two years. To qualify for renewal, you will need to fulfill the required number of hours of approved courses within that time frame.

Approved continuing education courses and requirements may include:

Attending courses, workshops, conferences, or symposiums
Engaging in staff development at your workplace
Writing papers about social work
Presenting social work-related research findings
Participating in independent studies

You can find detailed information regarding your jurisdiction’s continuing education requirements on the Association of Social Work Board website.^[4]

Fulfilling these requirements and continuing to build your knowledge is an impactful way to ensure you provide the best possible care to the people you serve.

Completing the step-by-step process of becoming a social worker can take years. Additionally, the time commitment and emotional weight of the work itself can cause some social workers to experience burnout.

To navigate this and the other challenges of social work, it is important to:

Set personal boundaries: As tempting as it may be to offer “always on” services to your clients, boundaries are necessary. Like anyone else, social workers deserve time to step away from work and relax. Try to avoid taking work calls during personal time, and practice saying “no” when necessary.
Seek support from supervisors: Scheduling routine debriefs with mentors or supervisors is an excellent way to handle the emotional weight of social work. Speaking to a colleague in the field allows you to gain career-specific insights and vent to someone who understands your situation.
Develop a sustainable personal routine: A long-lasting career in social work requires a routine that prioritizes self-care. Try activities like yoga, meditation, and journaling to find a self-care practice that works for you.

Becoming a social worker can lead to a career full of purpose and positive change. As a licensed social worker, you can help vulnerable populations access vital resources and services and improve the well-being of your community.

Are you ready to embark on your journey to becoming a social worker? If so, consider enrolling in the MSW programs at ��Ĵ�ý.

Our online Master of Social Work and Advanced Standing MSW programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE accreditation is a positive indicator of the quality and rigor of an MSW program. Most states’ social work licensure boards require students to acquire their master’s degrees from CSWE-accredited MSW programs before they can apply for their social work licenses.

Let us help you obtain the foundation you need to enter the social work profession with confidence. Explore your educational opportunities at ��Ĵ�ý today.

Sources:

^[1] “Read the Code of Ethics.” National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Accessed April 30, 2026. .

^[2] “MSW Field Education: Translating Pedagogy Into Practice.” Master of Social Work, December 9, 2025. .

^[3] “ASWB Examination Guidebook.” Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Accessed April 30, 2026. .

^[4] “Continuing competence.” National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Accessed April 30, 2026. .

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