What are the Differences between an SSW, MSW, CSW, and LCSW?

Types of Social Work Degrees:Social workers canrequirements for licensure as an LCSW include
earn three types of degrees, as defined by the U.S.passing the Clinical Examination of the ASWB or the
Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics:-Clinical Social Workers Examination of the State of
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW): "ACalifornia.- Scope of practice - Limitations.a. To the
bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) degree is theextent they are prepared through education and
most common minimum requirement to qualify for atraining, an LCSW can engage in all acts and practices
job as a social worker; however, majors in psychology,defined as the practice of clinical social work.Certified
sociology, and related fields may qualify for someSocial Work (CSW): "CSW" means a licensed certified
entry-level jobs, especially in small community agencies.social worker. A CSW must have a master's degree.-
Although a bachelor's degree is sufficient for entry intoThe practice of certified social work includes:a. The
the field, an advanced degree has become thesupervised practice of mental health therapy by
standard for many positions.""BSW programs prepareobservation, description, evaluation, interpretation,
graduates for direct service positions, such asintervention, and treatment to modify behavior through
caseworker, and include courses in social work valuesapplying generally recognized professional social work
and ethics, dealing with a culturally diverse clientele,principles, methods, and procedures in order to prevent,
at-risk populations, promotion of social and economictreat, or eliminate mental or emotional illness or
justice, human behavior and the social environment,dysfunction.- Licensure requirements for a certified
social welfare policy and services, social work practice,social worker.a. A worker must produce certified
social research methods, and field education.transcripts from an accredited institution of higher
Accredited BSW programs require a minimum of 400education recognized by the division in collaboration
hours of supervised field experience."- Master'swith the Social Worker Licensing Board verifying
Degree in Social Work (MSW): "A master's degree insatisfactory completion of an a social work education
social work (MSW) is typically required for positions inprogram accredited by the Council on Social Work
health settings and is required for clinical work as well.Education and an earned master's degree resulting
Some jobs in public and private agencies also mayfrom completion of that program; or an education
require an advanced degree, such as a master'sprogram that contains approved clinical social work
degree in social services policy or administration.concentration and practicum in content.- Examination
Supervisory, administrative, and staff training positionsRequirements.a. The examination requirement for
usually require an advanced degree.""Master's degreelicensure as a CSW includes passing the Masters,
programs prepare graduates for work in their chosenAdvanced Generalist, or Clinical Examination of the
field of concentration and continue to develop the skillsASWB.Social Service Worker (SSW): "SSW" means
required to perform clinical assessments, manage largea licensed social service worker. An SSW must have
caseloads, take on supervisory roles, and explore newa minimum of a bachelor's degree.- The practice as a
ways of drawing upon social services to meet thesocial service worker includes:a. The supervised or
needs of clients. Master's programs last 2 years andunsupervised use of professional
include a minimum of 900 hours of supervised fieldsocial work principles and practices, particularly patient
instruction, or internship. A part-time program may takeand case management.b. DOES NOT include engaging
4 years. Entry into a master's program does notin the practice of mental health therapy with
require a bachelor's degree in social work, but coursesan individual, family, group, or any other persons.-
in psychology, biology, sociology, economics, politicalExperience Requirements for Licensure as a SSW.a.
science, and social work are recommended. In addition,A worker must have 2000 hours of supervised social
a second language can be very helpful. Most master'swork activity or one year of qualifying experience for
programs offer advanced standing for those with alicensure as a SSW.b. A master's degree qualifying an
bachelor's degree from an accredited social workapplicant for licensure as an SSW must a field of
program."- Doctorate in Social Work (DSW or Ph.D.):social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy,
"College and university teaching positions and mostor professional counseling.c. A worker must produce
research appointments normally require a doctorate incertified transcripts from an accredited institution of
social work. DSW's and Ph.D.'s are qualified forhigher education recognized by the division in
research, policy analysis, or teaching at the universitycollaboration with the Social.Worker Licensing Board
level."Licensing Requirements:License requirements canverifying satisfactory completion of:(i) a bachelor's
differ between jurisdictions. Following are guidelines fordegree in a social work program accredited by the
Utah, courtesy of the Utah Division of OccupationalCouncil on Social Work Education.(ii) a master's
and Professional Licensing Mental Health Professionaldegree in a field approved by the division in
Act, 50-60 and the Social Worker Licensing Act Rules,collaboration with the social worker board.(iii) a
R156-60a.For other states' licensing requirements, visitbachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, family
the Association of Social Work Boards website: Clinicalsciences, or
Social Worker (LCSW): "LCSW" means a licensedother field approved by the division in collaboration
clinical social worker. An LCSW must have an MSW,with the
DSW, or Ph.D.- The practice of clinical social workSocial Worker Licensing Board and also
includes:a. The practice of mental health therapy bydocumentation of 2,000
observation, description, evaluation, interpretation,hours of supervised social work activity approved by
intervention, and treatment to modify behavior throughthe division
applying generally recognized professional social workin collaboration with the board(iv) a bachelor's degree
principles, methods, and procedures in order to prevent,in any field, if the applicant has completed:A. the
treat, or eliminate mental or emotional illness orequivalent of three credit hours of course work or
dysfunction.- Training Requirements for Licensure asother approved
an LCSW.a. A worker must log 4000 hours of clinicaltraining in full-life human growth behavior, abnormal
social work and mental health therapy training. Thesepsychology, social work values and ethics, social
hours must be logged within a two year period andwelfare, or social welfare policy;B. an approved social
cannot include hours accrued for education purposes.b.work practice methods course; andC. one year of
The hours must include the following training: individual,qualifying experience under the supervision of a
family, and group therapy; crisis intervention;licensed certified or clinical social worker, which
intermediate treatment; and long term treatment.-experience is approved by the division in collaboration
Continuing Education Requirements for LCSW.a. Awith the Social Worker Licensing Board- Examination
worker must complete at least 40 hours of continuingRequirements.a. A worker must pass the Bachelors
education every two years. The coursework must beExamination of the ASWB.Eric Morgan has been
relevant to social work, be taught be qualifiedassisting companies with internet marketing for over 7
individuals or institutions, and provide proof ofyears. He currently works for MWI web design in Salt
attendance.b. For every two-year period, a maximumLake City, Utah. Please visit Speedy CEUS - Social
of ten online or home study CE credits are accepted.-Worker Education for more information about this
Examination Requirements.a. The examinationtopic.