How to become a clinical social worker

Is becoming a clinical social worker right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do clinical social workers do?

Still unsure if becoming a clinical social worker is the right career path? to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become a clinical social worker or another similar career!

Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.

How to become a Clinical Social Worker

To become a clinical social worker, you need to follow a series of steps to gain the necessary education and experience. Here’s how to become one:

  • Obtain a Bachelor's Degree: Start by earning a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW) or a related field, such as psychology or sociology. This degree provides foundational knowledge of human behavior, social systems, and basic counseling techniques.
  • Earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW): After obtaining your bachelor’s degree, pursue a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program. This advanced degree focuses on clinical practice and prepares you for specialized work in the mental health field.
  • Complete Supervised Clinical Experience: After earning your MSW, you must gain hands-on experience by completing supervised clinical hours. This training allows you to work directly with clients under the guidance of an experienced clinical social worker.
  • Pass the Licensing Exam: Once you have completed your clinical experience, you must pass a licensing exam that tests your knowledge of clinical practices, ethics, and laws. This step is essential to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
  • Maintain Licensure and Continue Education: After obtaining licensure, you’ll need to complete continuing education to stay up to date with industry standards and maintain your license.