Social Work
The purpose of licensing and certification in social work is to assist the public through identification of standards for the safe professional practice of social work. Each state/territory defines by law what is required for each category of social work licensure. Typically, there are four categories of practice that jurisdictions may legally regulate.
- Bachelors: Baccalaureate social work degree (BSW) upon graduation
- Masters: Master's degree in social work (MSW) with no post-degree experience
- Advanced Generalist: MSW with at least two years post-master's supervised experience
- Clinical: MSW with at least two years post-master's direct clinical social work experience
Requirements
Social work regulatory boards generally require that social work degrees must be obtained from programs of social work that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE), or other nationally recognized accrediting agencies. Union University's Social Work programs are accredited by the CSWE.
Non-social work degrees are accepted in some instances for Bachelors licenses. Some states regulate only one of these practice categories, while most regulate two or more categories of social work practice. A summary table containing the licensing requirements may be accessed through ASWB's social work regulation database.
Some state licensing boards require additional requirements beyond education, which may include (but are not limited to): additional post-graduation examinations or experience, application and licensing fees, criminal background checks, reference checks, fingerprint submissions, etc. Make sure you understand and review any additional requirements prior to enrolling in the Bachelor or Master of Social Work program at Union University. Check with your the program director to review and make sure you understand any additional requirements prior to enrolling in the Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work program at Union University
State licensing requirements are always subject to change at the discretion of the state licensing board. The University will routinely update this page, but we strongly recommend you inquire with the applicable state agency to confirm your eligibility for licensure. More information about states' requirements can be found at the ASWB link above or by contacting the appropriate states' boards of social work. Find your state's licensing board