How to Become a Social Worker

Social workers play a critical role in helping individuals, families, couples, and communities address their behavioral, emotional, economic, and mental health challenges. Some of these professionals choose to focus on a particular population, such as veterans, children, or older adults. Social workers are employed in both the public and private sectors, making it a flexible career option for those interested in pursuing human services roles. 

For individuals passionate about helping others, learning how to become a social worker is the first step toward entering the field. A bachelor’s degree typically meets the educational requirement for entry-level social worker roles, while a master’s degree in social work is generally needed for clinical practice or specialized leadership roles. Most master’s programs require students to complete field placements, giving them hands-on experience in real-world settings. 

What Does a Social Worker Do?

There are many types of social workers, and their duties vary by their specialty. For example, clinical social workers provide counseling to individuals with mental health or substance use issues, while child and family services social workers focus on child protection and welfare. 

Despite these differences, there are certain general day-to-day tasks that most social workers perform, such as:

• Interviewing clients and assessing their needs and challenges
• Providing community resource referrals
• Developing care plans for clients
• Maintaining clients’ files and documenting their progress
• Working with local officials to improve or implement social service programs or resources
• Monitoring and assisting in crisis situations

These professionals need to have skills relevant to social work in areas such as communication, empathy, listening, problem-solving, and critical thinking to be able to help others navigate complex life challenges. For those exploring how to become a social worker, developing these skills early is especially important.

Typical Work Environments and Industries

Social workers are employed across a wide range of industries and settings, reflecting the profession’s versatility. They typically work in offices but may also travel to meet with clients. Common work environments for social workers include schools, government agencies, mental health clinics, homeless shelters, community development organizations, and correctional facilities.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some 811,000 social workers were employed as of 2024. Nearly half of them were child, family, and school social workers; about a quarter were health care social workers; and more than 15% were mental health and substance use social workers. 

Education and Experience Requirements for Social Workers

Most entry-level nonclinical social worker roles require at least a bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, psychology, or a related field. These degree programs prepare students with foundational knowledge in case management, human behavior, ethics, and social justice, along with supervised field experience. To support aspiring social workers who want to specialize, many programs offer electives in child welfare, mental health, and addictions.

For clinical and advanced leadership roles — such as clinical social worker, therapist, director of social services, and behavioral analyst — a master’s degree, such as a Master of Social Work (MSW), is required. An MSW degree program can help students develop the skills they need to work at any level of social work.

Prospective social workers typically need at least one year of experience before being able to work independently. Internships and supervised experiences provide aspiring social workers with opportunities to gain and apply practical knowledge. MSW programs often include practicums that help students gain hands-on experience. Individuals with limited or no experience may begin working in the field as a case aide, caseworker, or community organizer.

Licensing Information

Gaining licensure is an important step for those becoming a social worker, particularly for those interested in pursuing clinical positions. All states require clinical social workers to be licensed, while requirements for nonclinical social workers vary by state and role. To become a licensed clinical social worker, candidates must typically hold a master’s degree, complete a required number of supervised work hours, and pass a state licensing exam. 

Certification Information

Social worker certification is optional, but it may help improve a candidate’s career prospects and can demonstrate their specialized expertise to employers. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers several nonmembership certifications for individuals with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Certifications are available in areas such as youth and family services, addictions, case management, military, hospice and palliative care, clinical practice, education, gerontology, and health care.  

Salary and Job Outlook

Social worker salaries vary by industry, location, and level of experience. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for all social workers was $61,330 as of May 2024. For child, family, and school social workers, the median salary was $58,570, while for healthcare social workers it was $68,090. 

From 2024 to 2034, employment of social workers is projected to grow by 6%, according to the BLS. This is faster than the average growth projected for all occupations. The aging population and the expected increased need for mental health services are expected to continue driving demand for social workers. 

Advance Your Social Work Career With a Master’s Degree

For those researching how to become a social worker, a key first step is earning the degree that aligns with your career goals. By enrolling in a program that matches your interests, you can gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to become a social worker and support individuals and communities. 

At Tseng College at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), you can enroll in an online Master of Social Work degree program that can be completed in two to three years. Coursework in the program covers topics such as psychosocial assessment, advanced social work practice, and social work theory. Graduates of the program pursue roles such as school social worker, marriage and family therapist, social and community service manager, and licensed clinical social worker. 

Learn how CSUN can prepare you for a career in social work through its master’s degree program.