How to Become a Social Worker in Georgia
Social workers do a variety of types of work. Whether it's working with abused children, working with abuse victims, working with those with substance abuse issues or helping to improve access to health care or safety, social workers are constantly trying to improve the lives of others. If you seek to make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling with life challenges, then a career in social work is for you. Here is information on the steps you need to take to become a social worker in the state of Georgia.
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Things You'll Need
- Master's degree in social work Licensure from the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists Fluency in English Fluency in Spanish (helpful)
Instructions
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Contact the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists about the current requirements for becoming a licensed social worker in Georgia. Requirements can change from year to year.
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Complete a master's degree program in social work at a social work program that is approved by the Council on Social Work Education in the United States. In Georgia, there are several approved social work master's degree programs to choose from. For example, the University of Georgia at Athens, Valdosta State University, Georgia State University, Savannah State University and Clark Atlanta University all have approved master's degree social work programs at this time. You can also attend any master's degree program in the United States that is approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
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Complete the required supervised social work experience. Specifically in Georgia, 3 years of full-time experience is required after completion of the master's degree to license unless you have a doctoral degree, in which case the doctoral degree can substitute for 1 year of experience. After completing the supervised experience, you must pass the social work licensure exam.
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Submit your credentials to the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists after completion of the master's degree in social work, the required supervised experience, and after successfully passing the social work licensure exam. If your credentials are accepted, you will be a licensed social worker in Georgia.
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Find a job in Georgia as a social worker in a mental health center or hospital, in private practice or at a university or other social work setting.
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Tips & Warnings
Spend a day observing a social worker who works in Georgia in whatever setting you are aspiring to work in. Determine if being a social worker in Georgia is something you are interested in.
Being a social worker can be challenging work. Make sure that you have sufficient stamina and interest to be effective in the role of social worker. It is important to have a support system of individuals outside the profession who can offer you emotional support at times when the job of being a social worker becomes difficult.
