How Do I Become a Social Worker?

In order to become a social worker, you’ll first need to hit the books. An online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) will prepare you for entry-level social work jobs; for instance, as a substance abuse counselor or health care social worker in a hospital. 

A bachelor’s of social work will equip you with the skills you need to succeed in the field and support your clients. Classes, such as social welfare policy and professional ethics, will provide a strong foundation, while a hands-on practical experience in your community allows you to put your skills to the test under the supervision of an expert faculty advisor. 

As you research careers in social work, the topic of social work licensure may come up. Like nursing or other high-impact fields, states regulate the practice of social work to protect the public by ensuring licensed social workers meet the necessary education, experience, and educational training requirements. To qualify for many social work jobs, you will need to become a licensed social worker. 

In many states, earning a bachelor’s of social work is the first step toward becoming a licensed social worker. No matter where you live, you must complete certain educational requirements to qualify for social work licensure. 

Good news: Although requirements for social work licensure vary, Ohio State’s online Bachelor of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and will qualify you to sit for the social work licensure exam in most states.  

If you want to go beyond initial licensure, you may need a master’s degree in social work. An online Master of Social Work (MSW) degree can prepare you for higher levels of licensure, so you can become, for example, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). Social workers with master’s degrees and advanced levels of licensure can transition into leadership roles and earn higher salaries. 

Before diving into this fulfilling career, you’re likely considering the time commitment of a social work degree program. So it’s natural to wonder: How long does it take to become a social worker? Put simply, how long it takes to complete the online bachelor of social work degree depends on if you attend classes full time or part time. Your enrollment status will determine how long it takes for you to complete the social worker degree requirements. 

In the online bachelor’s program at Ohio State, the social worker degree requirements will teach you to apply the latest research to your social work practice. You will learn how to successfully advocate for vulnerable populations and develop the interviewing skills critical to social work. 

Students in the online social work bachelor’s program must complete 120 total hours of coursework to meet Ohio State’s social worker degree requirements. These 120 hours include prerequisites, general education classes, and courses in the social work major, so transferred credits from another CSWE-accredited institution can decrease the number of credits you may need to take at Ohio State. Students who transfer to Ohio State often enter the online Bachelor of Science in Social Work program having completed 30-60 credit hours through an associate degree program at a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. 

Additionally, during your final year in the program, you will complete a social work field experience. For this two-semester internship, you’ll be matched with a social work agency near you that fits your goals and desired learning experiences. This invaluable experience will help you integrate your classroom knowledge and skills with practical experiences in mental health, schools, hospitals, criminal justice, community organizing and more. Students will dedicate 13-15 hours per week to their field experience, totaling 400 hours over two semesters. 

While an online degree allows you more flexibility than most on-campus degrees, you’ll need to invest time into your coursework, like any other degree. A good rule of thumb: Expect to dedicate at least four hours per week to each course. 

It’s also important to remember that some classes in the social work bachelor’s program are synchronous, meaning they require attendance at live, virtual class sessions (think Zoom) at a set time each week, usually in the evenings. Other classes are asynchronous, meaning you can complete the assignments at times that work best for you, within a certain time frame. 

These time commitments, plus other commitments in your life such as your employment or family responsibilities, can impact your decision to enroll full time or part time. An Ohio State Enrollment Advisor can help you decide what pace works best for your situation. 

Online Master of Social Work students have a few options to earn their degree. Students can choose between two pathways to the master’s degree: the Traditional pathway of 2-4 years and the Advanced Standing Alternative Program (ASAP) pathway of 1-2 years. Most students complete the program via the Traditional pathway, which is typically completed in 4-11 semesters, which can take from a little over 1 year to up to 4 years, depending on your course load.  

Students who earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in the past 5 years and meet certain GPA requirements (a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and a “B” or better in all required social work courses) are eligible for the Master of Social Work ASAP pathway. This accelerated path to your master’s degree allows students to complete the program in 3-6 semesters over 1-2 years.  

In both options, you can attend part-time or full-time. An Enrollment Advisor can help you decide what pace works best for you and your situation.  

Now that you know the educational and licensing requirements to become a social worker, you may still be wondering: Is a career in social work a good fit for me? What skills are needed to become a social worker? 

Developing certain soft skills will help you become a successful social worker. For example, while the social work degree will teach you to hone your interviewing skills, a knack for active listening and a strong sense of compassion are necessary. Other social worker skills include empathy, patience, and a mind for advocacy. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills will make you a great social worker – not to mention a stellar student!