Below, we provide an outline of how to become a social worker in California based on these regulations. Aspiring professionals can consider two educational paths to become social workers in California. All candidates should set their career aspirations as early as possible to best plan out their educational path. Social workers with terminal degrees in the field receive higher pay and can pursue more diverse roles upon entering the job force. In California, the lowest level of education required to become a social worker is a bachelor of social work BSW degree.
If you plan to take this path, choose a college or university with a bachelor of social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education CSWE.
BSW programs prepare students for entry-level, professional, and generalist social work practice, along with graduate social work education.
Students learn to practice as professional social workers with individuals, families, groups, and communities. BSW programs include classroom education and field education to prepare students to apply their classroom training to professional work settings. Once you receive your BSW, you become eligible to begin working as a social worker in California.
Bachelor's-level social workers commonly find work as case managers, child welfare social workers, and residential counselors. Students who earned their bachelor's degree in social work or other fields can pursue master of social work MSW degrees from CSWE-accredited colleges and universities. If you have received a BSW before applying to graduate school, you may be eligible for advanced standing, which allows you to earn an MSW in one year.
While all accredited social work graduate programs combine classroom learning with field education, each school offers different areas of focus, electives, and field education placement opportunities.
Social workers looking to work in the field rather than perform research or teach at the university level , can earn a master's as a terminal degree. Once you earn your MSW, you possess the highest level of education necessary to perform all social work jobs in California. Master's-level social workers find employment as school social workers, social work supervisors, and medical social workers.
To become an associate clinical social worker ASW , each applicant must possess a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. Candidates who received their master's degrees in other states each need to complete an hour course on California law and professional ethics before becoming registered as an ASW.
Along with the application itself, you must provide a photograph, a check or money order for the fee amount, fingerprints, verification of education, and proof of the required California law and professional ethics coursework. After registering as an ASW, you have six years to complete the additional coursework, work experience, and supervision necessary to apply for an LCSW. As an ASW, you need to accrue at least 3, hours of supervised work experience over weeks.
At least 2, of those hours must occur in the areas of clinical psychological diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and counseling; must take place performing face-to-face individual or group psychotherapy. Find California Social Work Supervision weeks of supervison- 52 weeks of which must be face to face individual supervision.
At lease 13 weeks must be with an LCSW. California License Requirements Degree needed to qualify for each license. Degree Requirement License required to qualify for the next license level: You must have this license to qualitfy for the next license. At Social Work Supervisor. Once you become an LCSW, you must renew your license within the registration period for your state by completing continuing education units CEUs. This ongoing education ensures that you are continually meeting the high standards represented by your license.
When researching how to become a licensed clinical social worker in your state, we recommend that you consult the following websites for information. LCSW examinations are owned and maintained by this organization. After becoming an LCSW, you may decide to practice in a different state than where you earned your license. The new state will require you to provide examination scores, transcripts and other documentation that you used to get your current license.
Check with the licensing board in your new state or province to verify what you need to do before you can practice as an LCSW. To take the next step toward your career in social work, request information today. Start Your Application Today. LCSWs may have the opportunity to: Offer general counseling, bereavement counseling and crisis intervention for individuals, couples, families and groups.
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