How to become a Social Worker
Social workers provide psychosocial assessment, counseling, therapy, case management, advocacy, crisis intervention, discharge planning, and connections to community resources across healthcare, behavioral health, child welfare, and public service settings.
Top Skills Required
- Psychosocial and biopsychosocial assessment
- Mental health and suicide risk assessment
- Crisis intervention
Education & Certifications
Typical: Bachelor of Social Work for entry-level social services and child welfare roles; Master of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program for clinical, hospital, behavioral health, and advanced practice roles. State licensure or certification is commonly required.
Alternative paths:
- Bachelor's degree in a related human services field for selected public-sector roles
- LMSW, LCSW, LICSW, LSWAIC, or equivalent state credential depending on practice setting
- Supervised clinical experience and continuing education