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Degrees

Requirements and Advancement:

To become a social worker, the minimum educational qualification needed is a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW). You can also major in sociology, psychology and related fields if you want to acquire an entry level job in social work. If you want to hold a commendable position, a Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) is recommended. If your goal is to conduct social research or lecture at a university, then you would need to hold a Doctorate Degree in Social Work (DSW). In order to become a licensed clinical social worker, you would need to take an exam and have a minimum of two years of supervised clinical social work experience.

You have to be licensed, certified or registered to conduct social work in any State including the District of Columbia. This requirement may actually vary depending on which State you’re practicing in. Social workers should exhibit traits of being sensitive to others needs, understanding behaviors, Emotional maturity, and the ability to fulfill their responsibilities while maintaining excellent relationships with their clients and co-workers.

With an advanced degree and widespread experience, a social worker could be promoted to the designation of a Supervisor, Manager, Assistant Director, and an Executive Director of the Social Service Agency that he or she is working with.

Masters in Social Work (MSW)

MSW or a Masters in Social work degree empowers the individual to be an independent social worker after completing a certain amount of supervised social work practice. It enables the degree holder to seek certification of his work. A Masters in Social Work degree would need 2 whole years of studying with at least 900 hours of supervised practice. If the degree holder wants to be an independent practitioner, he would need additional hours of supervised practice plus certification of his work.

A Masters degree aims at preparing individuals to work in the field that they want to specialize in. For example, Drug abuse, helping the elderly, Children and families. They are also taught how to handle responsibilities, deal with clinical assessments, and supervise beginners. A Masters degree is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education to guarantee that whichever field you choose to master in, will impart exceptional education while it also meets the State’s requirement for licensing and Certification. The Council on Social Work accredits more than 180 Master’s programs.

Doctorate in Social Work (DSW)

A doctorate in Social Work is an advanced degree that grooms graduates to take up the most advanced jobs such as, Supervision, Train beginners, Administrative post, etc. Most individuals who hold positions of a university lecturer or social researchers have mostly completed their Doctorate or their PhD in Social Work. The doctorate degree stresses on training and practicals so that the graduates become skilled practitioners. The PhD on the other hand stresses on research, enabling graduates to take up credible positions in research and teaching.

A doctorate of Social Work degree is intended to provide exceptional training in research, supervision and policy analysis. This degree aims at coaching graduates to specialize in training as well as teaching qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques. This enables them to apply for supervisor designations and practice professionally after seeking the State’s licensure. The Doctorate in Social work is a 2-4 year course which also includes a doctoral candidacy examination along with dissertation research.

Licensure and Certification

Practicing social work require licensure and certification in every State including the District of Columbia. Licensure varies depending on which state social work is being practiced; however, most States require completion of an exam along with 2 years of supervised clinical practice. Quite a few social workers choose to practice independently while consulting a professional practitioner who acts as a supervisor. Information about the licensure for all states including the District of Columbia can be attained from the Association of Social Work Boards. Voluntary permits are bestowed by the National Association of Social Workers upon MSW holders such as the Academy of Certified Social Workers, the Qualified Clinical Social Worker, and the Diplomat in Clinical Social Work. These credentials are purely dependent on their professional experience. Certification is a compulsion for any social worker who wants to be an independent practitioner.