How to become a Social Worker
Depending on the field of operation, there are numerous educational paths to becoming a social worker. To work as a social worker, the following may be required of you:
- Earn a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field such as sociology or psychology. Students are required to complete administered fieldwork or an internship.
- Earn a master's degree in social work if you are going for clinical positions.
- Complete two years of administered training and experience after earning a master's degree. This is required for clinical social workers.
- Get a certification for nonclinical social workers from the state where you want to work.
How to become: Case Manager · Licensed Clinical Social Worker · Mental Health Technician · Counselor · Therapist
These qualifications are required: Clinical Social Worker · Certified Social Worker · ACSW
Is this useful?
Upgrade your resume
Get an expert review of your resume.
What skills help Social Workers find jobs?
- Acute care
- Addiction counseling
- Analysis skills
- Behavioral health
- Bilingual
- Care plans
- Case management
- Childcare
- Communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Computer skills
- Discharge planning
Is this useful?
Career progression for Social Worker
Education levels for Social Workers
| required level of education | percent of job openings |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 45.7% |
| Master's degree | 38.1% |
| Associate's degree | 9.0% |
| High school diploma or GED | 6.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.9% |
Is this useful?
Expected salary by experience
| Years of experience | Annual salary in USD |
|---|---|
| 0 - 4 | $37,400 |
| 4 - 8 | $44,600 |
| 8 - 12 | $49,200 |
| 12 - 16 | $50,000 |
| 16 - 20 | $49,600 |
| 20 - 24 | $48,700 |
Is this useful?
Common qualifications for Social Workers
ACLS Certification
CPR Certification
BLS Certification
First Aid Certification
AHA Certification
Certified Case Manager
Certified Social Worker
RN License
LCPC
Driver's License
LICSW
Social Work License
Is this useful?
Common questions about career advices for a Social Worker
What other jobs can social workers do?
Jobs with similar duties to social workers include:
- Health Educators and Community Health Workers
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- School and Career Counselors
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Social and Human Service Assistants
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Was this answer helpful?
Can you become a social worker without a degree?
No, prospective social workers must obtain at least a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field such as psychology or sociology to meet educational requirements.
Was this answer helpful?
How do you become a social worker?
Social workers must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work. They can then obtain state licensure and other relevant certifications.
Was this answer helpful?
