Syracuse University / Social Work Degrees / MSW / How to become a social worker
Last updated October 2026
You can become a social worker with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work and, typically, state licensure or other credentials. If you want to be a clinical social worker, you’ll need a master’s degree in social work (M.S.W.), supervised clinical experience, and a state clinical social work license.
The path to becoming a social worker depends on your career goals. This guide explains the education, licensing requirements, and career options for bachelor’s- and master’s-level social workers.
Social workers help improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through direct services, advocacy, and systems-level change.
Depending on their role, they may connect people with resources and coordinate care, develop community programs, influence public policy, or provide mental health services. Clinical social workers are trained to assess and treat mental health conditions, while many other social workers focus on advocacy, case management, and community support.
The education, training, and credentials you need depend on the type of social work you want to practice.
A bachelor of social work (B.S.W.) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program is the most common educational pathway to entry-level social work positions. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another field can also pursue social work by earning a master of social work (M.S.W.), which can prepare them for advanced practice and licensure, depending on state requirements. Learn more about earning an M.S.W. without a B.S.W.
Your career goals will help determine the education and credentials you need. Some entry-level social work positions accept bachelor’s-level professionals, but other roles, including clinical social work, require an M.S.W. Later in this guide, you’ll learn more about common social work career paths and their requirements.
Many advanced practice and clinical roles require an M.S.W. This degree prepares students for advanced responsibilities and specialized social work practice. GRE requirements vary by M.S.W. program, but Syracuse University does not require applicants to take the GRE.
When choosing an M.S.W. program, check whether it is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE states that a degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program is required to qualify for a licensing exam in every U.S. jurisdiction. Syracuse University’s online Master of Social Work program is CSWE-accredited.
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CSWE-accredited B.S.W. and M.S.W. programs include supervised field education, sometimes called a practicum or internship, that provides hands-on experience working with clients under professional supervision.
If you plan to become a clinical social worker, you’ll also need to complete additional supervised clinical experience after earning your M.S.W. to qualify for clinical licensure. Specific requirements vary by state.
Social work licensure requirements differ by state and by the type of social work. States may offer bachelor’s-, master’s-, and clinical-level licenses, each with different education, examination, and experience requirements. The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) administers the social work licensing examinations. Before pursuing a social work career, review the licensing requirements in the state where you plan to practice.
In New York, the licensed master social worker (LMSW) and the licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) credentials require a master’s degree in social work. The LMSW requires passing the ASWB master’s examination. The LCSW requires the ASWB clinical examination, along with additional supervised clinical experience and other state requirements.
Other states use different social work credentials, including licensed social worker (LSW) and certified social worker (CSW), so prospective social workers should check the terminology and requirements in the state where they plan to practice.
Whether you need a B.S.W. or an M.S.W. depends on the type of social work you want to practice. While a B.S.W. prepares graduates for many entry-level social work roles, an M.S.W. is required for advanced practice and clinical social work.
A B.S.W. is the standard entry-level degree for professional social work practice and prepares graduates for generalist roles.
An M.S.W. prepares graduates for specialized social work practice and advanced professional roles.
| Career | Minimum Education | License Typically Required? | Can Diagnose & Treat Mental Health Conditions? |
|---|---|---|---|
Caseworker or generalist social worker | B.S.W. or a related bachelor’s | Often, depending on state | No |
Medical social worker | B.S.W. or M.S.W. depending on employer | Often | Usually no unless clinically licensed |
School social worker | B.S.W. or M.S.W. depending on state | Usually | Usually no |
Clinical Social Worker (LCSW/LICSW/etc.) | M.S.W. | Yes | Yes |
Social workers work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private practice. The career paths below highlight some of the most common social worker roles and what they involve.
Generalist social workers help individuals, families, and communities access resources and navigate challenges. Depending on their role, they may conduct assessments, coordinate services, connect clients with housing, healthcare, or financial assistance, advocate for clients, and provide case management. Generalist social workers may be employed by nonprofit organizations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and community service programs.
Education and licensure requirements vary by state and employer. Generalist social work provides a foundation for many social work careers and can also prepare professionals for advanced study in an M.S.W. program.
Medical social workers help patients and their families navigate the emotional, social, and practical challenges of illness, injury, and medical treatment. They coordinate care, connect patients with community resources, and collaborate with healthcare teams to support recovery. Some specialize in areas such as geriatrics, oncology, or hospice and palliative care.
The median annual salary for health care social workers was $67,880 in 2025, according to the BLS occupational data on social workers. This is higher than the overall median annual social worker salary of $61,780.
School social workers support students’ mental health, behavioral, and academic needs. They work with teachers, parents, and administrators, provide individual and group counseling, and facilitate collaboration among home, school, and community to support student success.
Education, licensure, and credentialing requirements for school social workers vary by state. Many states require an M.S.W. and social work licensure, while some also require a school-specific credential through the state’s department of education.
In addition to state requirements, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers the voluntary Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS) credential for experienced professionals. To qualify, you must earn an M.S.W. from a CSWE-accredited program, complete at least two years of supervised post-M.S.W. school social work experience, and hold a qualifying state social work or school social work license, registration, or certification.
The median annual salary for social workers in educational services was $68,850 in 2025, according to BLS occupational data on social workers.
Clinical social workers are licensed by their state licensing board to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions using evidence-based therapeutic approaches. They also provide case management and help clients access the services and resources they need. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community mental health centers, private practices, and integrated healthcare organizations.
To become a clinical social worker, candidates typically must earn an M.S.W., complete post-graduate supervised clinical experience, pass a licensing examination, and meet other state-specific licensure requirements.
The title of the clinical social work license varies by state and may include licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or another state-specific designation. Learn more about becoming an LCSW.
Mental health and substance abuse social workers earned a median annual wage of $60,280 in 2025, according to BLS occupational data on social workers.
The BLS projects overall employment of social workers to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Growth estimates vary by specialty:
An M.S.W. degree may also prepare graduates for leadership roles, such as social and community service manager. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for social and community service managers was $80,290 in 2025.
If your career goals include advanced practice or clinical social work, earning an M.S.W. is an important step. The online Master of Social Work program from Syracuse University’s School of Education is CSWE-accredited and designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than social work.
After completing foundational coursework, students choose a concentration in Advanced Integrated Practice or Advanced Clinical Practice. Both concentrations prepare graduates to pursue social work licensure in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
It typically takes six to seven years to earn both a B.S.W. and an M.S.W. A B.S.W. generally takes four years, followed by an M.S.W. that typically takes two to three years. The timeline may be shorter for students who qualify for an advanced-standing M.S.W. program after earning a B.S.W. Clinical social workers also need supervised clinical experience after completing an M.S.W., which can extend the time needed to meet licensure requirements.
You can become a social worker with a bachelor’s degree. A B.S.W. can prepare you for entry-level social work roles, while an M.S.W. is typically required for advanced practice and clinical social work. The degree you need depends on the type of social work you want to pursue and the requirements in your state.
No. You do not need a B.S.W. to apply to an M.S.W. program. Some M.S.W. programs accept students with a bachelor’s degree in another field. Syracuse University’s online M.S.W. program is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than social work.
Advanced-standing M.S.W. programs are designed for students who already have a B.S.W. Because these students have completed foundational social work coursework during their undergraduate program, an advanced-standing M.S.W. may take less time to complete than a traditional M.S.W. The length varies by program; Syracuse University’s online Advanced Standing M.S.W. can be completed in as few as 24 months.
There isn’t one required undergraduate degree for M.S.W. programs. Some programs accept students with a bachelor’s degree in a wide range of fields, while others may have prerequisite coursework or require a B.S.W. for advanced-standing admission. If you plan to pursue an M.S.W., check the admission requirements for the programs you’re considering. Syracuse University’s online M.S.W. program is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in an area other than social work.
The primary difference is their professional training and the framework they bring to clinical practice. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) are trained in social work and consider mental health within the broader context of a person’s relationships, environment, and social systems. Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) are trained specifically in counseling and psychotherapy.
There is considerable overlap in the clinical services LCSWs and licensed counselors may provide. Depending on state law, both may assess clients, diagnose mental health conditions, and provide psychotherapy. The exact scope of practice varies by state.
Social work licenses do not automatically transfer between states. Most states have a process for social workers who are already licensed to obtain licensure by endorsement or reciprocity. This may allow them to receive a license more quickly because the new state recognizes their existing license as meeting its licensing standards. Requirements vary by state, so social workers should check the licensing board in the state where they plan to practice.
No. The GRE is not required to become a social worker, although some graduate programs may require it for admission. Applicants for Syracuse University’s online Master of Social Work program don’t need to take the GRE.
Some social work roles don’t require attending graduate school. In those cases, the GRE would not be necessary for those career paths.
Yes. An online social work degree can prepare you for social work licensure just like an on-campus program, as long as the program meets the applicable education and accreditation requirements. Online M.S.W. programs typically include the same core coursework and required field education as campus-based programs. Licensure requirements vary by state, so students should confirm that the program meets the requirements in the state where they plan to practice.
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