Becoming a school social worker involves several steps, varying state by state. Most school social workers will need a Master of Social Work and earn licensure/certification. In this guide we aim to outline the main points to keep in mind as you consider a career in school social work.

Becoming a school social worker requires you to:

Unsure what a school social worker does, education requirements or average salary? Jump below to our School Social Worker FAQ.

A bachelor’s degree is typically the first step in pursuing a career in social work. Although a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) is not necessary to become a school social worker, it will introduce you to fundamental topics in social work. A BSW is typically a requirement to enroll in an advanced standing Masters in Social Work (MSW) program.

School social workers are typically employees of schools and/or school districts, and as such they must seek authorization from their state’s education department or board of education in order to practice in their community.

Do you need a license to be a school social worker?

Requirements for school social workers vary widely by state, so students should carefully research the steps they must follow to gain approval to practice in their area.

Students can generally find their state’s requirements for school social workers by going to their state’s education department or board of education’s website and looking for information on the regulations surrounding school social workers’ employment. Other useful resources may include the school social worker association in your state of practice.

Becoming a School Social Worker in California

A resident of California who wishes to become a school social worker must obtain a Pupil Personnel Services credential from California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing by fulfilling the following requirements:

1. Complete a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited university or college.
2. Complete a minimum of 45 graduate-level academic units at a professional preparation program that specializes in school social work, which has been approved by California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and includes a practicum with school-aged children.
3. Obtain and submit an official recommendation from the professional preparation program one attended.
4. Complete the Basic Skills Requirement
5. Complete and submit the application and relevant fees, and complete the LiveScan fingerprint process for background check purposes.

California’s school social worker requirements were last retrieved on 4/13/2020. Be sure to check with the state’s commission on teacher credentialing for up-to-date information.

Becoming a School Social Worker in Massachusetts

Residents of Massachusetts who wish to become school social workers must obtain authorization from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to practice in schools with the School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor Licensure. To earn this approval, candidates earn an initial license and then a professional license by completing the following:

Earn an Initial License:

1. Earn a Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling from an accredited institution.
2. Complete a practicum comprised of at least 900 hours of social work, including a minimum of 450 hours working with children, adolescents, and their families in an academic setting.
   • Complete coursework and clinical practicum hours that cover the Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK) Requirements
   • Pass Massachusetts’ Communication and Literacy Skills Test.

Earn a Professional License:

1. Hold an Initial License as a School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor.
2. Work for a minimum of three years as a School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor.
3. Completion of one of the following:
   • Earn and maintain a license or certificate from the Board of Registration of Social Work, either as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.
   • Earn and maintain a license from the Massachusetts Board of Allied Mental Health Professionals, either as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor (LRC).
   • Complete a total of 60 credits of graduate-level coursework in school social work, mental health counseling, psychological counseling, school counseling, and/or social work.

Massachusetts’ school social worker requirements were last retrieved on 4/13/2020. Be sure to check with the state’s department of elementary and secondary education for up-to-date information.

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Becoming a School Social Worker in New York

School social workers in New York need to obtain a certificate from the New York State Education Department by following one of the following two pathways:

Pathway 1: Individual Evaluation – Provisional Certificate

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
2. Earn a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE accredited program with a completed internship experience.
3. Take Examination
4. Obtain licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker.
5. Fulfill two years of paid, full time work as a school social worker.
6. Attend a minimum of two hours of workshops administered by the New York State Education Department on the following topics:
   • Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Providers
   • School Violence Intervention and Prevention
   • Dignity for All Students Act
7. Obtain fingerprint clearance
8. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

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Pathway 2: Certificate Progression

1. Hold a valid provisional certificate in school social work.
2. Apply for and obtain a New York State License as a Master or Clinical Social Worker.
3. Complete an MSW that includes a supervised internship.
4. Fulfill two years of paid, full-time experience as a school social worker.
5. Attending a minimum of two hours of workshops administered by the New York State Education Department on the following topics:
   • Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Providers
   • School Violence Intervention and Prevention
   • Dignity for All Students Act
6. Obtain fingerprint clearance
7. Maintain status as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

New York’s school social worker requirements were last retrieved on 4/13/2020. Be sure to check with the state’s education department for up-to-date information.

In addition to researching individual state requirements, individuals interested in becoming school social workers may find additional information through such organizations as the School Social Workers Association of America (SSWAA), and by talking with practicing school social workers in their area.

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While specific state requirements for school social workers vary, all states generally require school social workers to earn an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, and to complete coursework specifically in such topics as child welfare, youth and family relationships, adolescent mental health, and school violence prevention and intervention.

Individuals who wish to find accredited MSW programs with a concentration in school social work or child welfare should refer to the CSWE’s directory of accredited programs, which allows users to search specifically for accredited programs in school social work, as well as programs in children, youth, and family services.

Admission requirements for accredited MSW programs in child welfare or school social work vary, but in general the criteria for admission into such programs include:

While course titles and content vary across different programs, MSW programs in school social work or child welfare may include but are not limited to the following classes:

Accredited MSW programs typically require all of their students to complete approximately 900 to 1200 field practicum hours at sites such as social service agencies, hospitals, and schools.

The importance of field practicums cannot be overstated as they give students the opportunity to work with real clients under the supervision of field instructors. For students who wish to pursue school social work, working at local schools during their practicum is often essential. Some states specifically require candidates to complete a minimum number of practicum hours in a school setting.

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Taking the Association of Social Work Board’s (ASWB) is mandatory for licensure. After your state approves your request, you can register for the ASWB Licensing Exam. There are online practice tests with information that may help you prepare. After taking the exam, you register for a master of social work license.

After earning their MSW from an accredited institution, school social worker candidates should apply for licensure or certification to practice in their state of residence. Individuals who wish to obtain state approval to practice as a school social worker must submit an application, along with any relevant documentation, to their state government’s education department or board of education.

As illustrated in the examples above, many states have additional requirements over and above earning an MSW and completing field education. Some states ask school social worker candidates to pass a skills-based examination, while others require a letter of endorsement or recommendation from their MSW program.

Please note that it is the school social worker’s responsibility to thoroughly research and fulfill all the requirements in order to work in their state of practice.

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After obtaining state approval, school social workers must apply to jobs at school districts and schools in their area. The application process for these positions varies, but will typically require submission of academic and professional credentials, a cover letter, and letters of recommendation.

Be aware that job applications may also typically require one or more interviews with school district faculty.

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Requirements to maintain one’s state license to practice school social work differ across states, but may include submitting a renewal application to the education department or board of education of one’s state of residence, taking continuing education courses, and/or submitting proof of continued professional experience in the field.

Check with your state’s department of education or social work board for more up to date information.

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If you haven’t done so already, now is a great time to check out our list of online MSW degree programs, as getting your CSWE-accredited MSW degree – whether you already have a BSW or not – is an important step on the road to becoming a social worker.

School social workers provide counseling and support to children in an academic setting addressing social, emotional, and life adjustment. They collaborate with teachers, parents, school counselors, and school administrators to help students who struggle with issues that may hinder their academic performance and well-being.

Social workers in schools are often the link between a student’s home, school, and community while addressing concerns such as bullying (including cyberbullying), truancy, community violence, poverty, and family conflicts.

School social workers can provide one-on-one counseling to students and their parents, refer students to additional resources, and also develop educational programs and support groups at schools.

Not necessarily. In our research, we have found that school social workers may pursue a master’s in social work and perhaps specialize in school or child studies. Our full list of programs allows you to compare more than 30 online MSW programs. Upon graduation, aspiring school social workers should pursue licensure or certification.

Based on salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual child, family and school social worker income is about $51,030 as of March 2020. Stamford, Connecticut, as well as Bridgeport and Norwalk, offer the highest average salary for these social workers at $74,130 but the metropolitan areas with the highest employment level is the NY/NJ/PA area.

Last updated: June 2020