How to Become a Social Worker in Utah
Social workers work in various settings as therapists, consultants, community organizers and more. While social workers have a reputation for being underpaid, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the top 10 percent of social workers earn nearly $70,000 a year, and that social workers are in high demand. However, one can't just simply graduate from college and call himself a social worker. Social workers must have a license and each state has a different social work licensing procedure. And certain steps need be taken in order to become a licensed social worker in Utah.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Obtain a degree in social work. In the state of Utah, the minimum degree needed to become a licensed social worker is a Bachelor's in Social Work (BSW). However, earning potential will be higher if you decide to pursue a Master's in Social Work (MSW). There are both BSW and MSW programs offered at educational institutions throughout Utah.
-
2
Complete the postgraduate training required. In the state of Utah, you must work for 4,000 hours under the supervision of a certified social worker within two years. One thousand of those hours must be training in mental health therapy and 100 hours must be direct training with a certified social worker.
-
-
3
Take the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) exam after you graduate from your social work program. There are a few tests available. If you have BSW, there is a test available that costs $230, as of 2010. But if you have an MSW, you can take the test designed for those with no work experience, also $230 as of 2010. The Advanced Generalist Test is designed for those with at least two years of work experience, which costs $260 as of 2010. Finally, you can take the clinical exam if you have at least two years of clinical (therapy) work experience, which costs $260 as of 2010. Successful completion of the clinical exam will give you the title of Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), which has a higher earning potential and is required in order to have a private counseling practice.
-
4
Apply for your license through the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. Those who hold a BSW can apply for the Social Service Worker license and those with MSWs can apply for the Certified Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Social Worker licenses. However, in order to apply for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker license, you must have taken the clinical exam through the ASWB. Each application requires college transcripts and your ASWB exam scores. In 2010, the fee to apply was $120.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit business couple talking image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com
