The Role of the Clinical Social Worker

Communities across the country are facing behavioral health workforce shortages amid increased demand for mental health services. Mental Health America notes that nationwide, 23% of adults experienced mental illness in 2023, while 18% reported a substance use disorder. An estimated 6,397 mental health service providers are needed to serve unmet needs in American communities according to the Health Resources & Services Administration. 

More clinical social workers are needed to step up and help fill the gap. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis found that 56% of the nation’s behavioral health workforce were social workers in 2022. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) rely on their advanced training and knowledge to treat individuals experiencing mental health disorders across many settings.

 

What Do Clinical Social Workers Do?

Those unaware of the work done by clinical social workers may wonder why they are so integral to behavioral health. The New York State Society for Clinical Social Work notes that these social workers apply, “social work theory and methods to the differential diagnosis, prevention, amelioration and treatment of bio-psycho-social-spiritual dysfunction, disability and impairment.” Clinical social workers treat their clients by looking at social, economic and other factors that may negatively impact mental health.

State laws authorize clinical social workers to treat clients for mental health and substance use disorders. They are prepared for behavioral health roles through Master of Social Work (MSW) programs and on-the-job training. This differs from generalist social workers not allowed to diagnose or provide therapy for clients. Clinical social workers also possess the same case management skills as social workers with Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degrees, allowing them to identify community services needed for effective treatment. A dynamic skill set allows a clinical social worker to identify solutions and collaborate on effective treatment plans with other providers.

 

Clients, Settings and Responsibilities

A three-year study of new MSW graduates provides a glimpse into the populations served by newcomers to the field. The most common clients new MSW graduates work with are children and their families (34.9% of respondents). Other groups working with these professionals include:

• People with mental health disorders (25.9%)
• People receiving health care (11.3%)
• Students in school settings (10.7%)
• People with substance use disorders (7.7%)

Survey results from new MSW graduates also show a broad range of practice settings. The most frequently cited (33%) settings were non-profit or charitable organizations. New MSW graduates also worked in:

• Outpatient health care services (17.3%)
• Local, state or federal government agencies (15.1%)
• Hospital inpatient facilities (9.6%)
• Educational establishments outside higher education (6.7%)

The clinical aspect of this career path means that job responsibilities remain similar no matter the client base or setting. Clinical social workers are responsible for fostering therapeutic relationships, coordinating care and moving clients toward healthier and more independent lives. They also serve individuals with complex social determinants of health that may negatively impact their well-being, whether they work in hospitals, private practices or schools.

 

Career and Salary Outlook

Data from the Health Resources & Services Administration show a promising job market for social workers. The supply of mental health and substance abuse social workers will not meet demand beginning in 2025. An estimated 47,880 new behavioral health workers will be needed to meet the demand for these services by 2036.

Strong demand for social workers of all types translates into above-average salaries compared to other occupations. The median social worker salary in 2023 was $58,380, far exceeding the $48,060 median salary for all occupations tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Top earners in the social work profession earned more than $94,910 per year.

 

How Do You Become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker?

Ninety percent of new MSW graduates reported satisfaction with their first positions after graduation. Most of these respondents worked in clinical positions, showing a strong return on their educational investment. You can join the ranks of satisfied clinical social workers with an MSW and a state license.

 

1. Education

An MSW is the minimum required degree for licensure as a clinical social worker. MSW programs combine advanced coursework on clinical skills with supervised client experiences to meet state licensing requirements. This combination meets the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) standard of field and classroom work being equally important. CSWE-accredited MSW programs can also train students who earned their BSWs and those switching to social work careers from other disciplines.

A traditional, in-person MSW degree typically requires two years of full-time study. Online MSW programs offer flexibility to complete coursework part-time without living near campus. This flexibility is invaluable to working professionals interested in leveling up their careers.

 

2. State Licensure

Graduating from an MSW program is the first milestone toward a clinical social work career. Recent graduates must complete post-graduate experience before applying for licensure through their state of practice. For example, Virginia requires 3,000 hours of post-graduate experience supervised by an experienced LCSW before reviews of license applications.

Additional licensing requirements vary from state to state. We can use the Virginia process for licensed clinical social worker applications as an example of these requirements. The Virginia Board of Social Work looks for the following requirements from applicants:

• Recent self-query report from the National Practitioners Data Bank
• Notarized Verification of Clinical Supervision Form
• Official transcripts from an accredited graduate program
• Passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical exam

 

3. ASWB Exam

ASWB’s exams determine if applicants are capable of ethical and responsible social work practice. The organization has overseen Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Advanced Generalist and Clinical exams for social work licensure since 1983. Each ASWB exam requires the completion of 170 multiple-choice questions in four hours, with 150 questions counted toward exam scores.

Clinical social work applicants can schedule their Clinical exam periods once approved for testing by their state licensing board. The Clinical exam tests the taker’s application of specialized knowledge across four areas:

1. Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning (30%)
2. Psychotherapy, Clinical Interventions, and Case Management (27%)
3. Human Development, Diversity, and Behavior in the Environment (24%)
4. Professional Values and Ethics (19%)

A passing score on the ASWB Clinical exam - which varies based on exam versions - shows your competency to practice. This journey toward licensure starts with an MSW degree focused on the clinical social worker’s role in improving communities. Marymount University offers an innovative MSW rooted in values like intellectual curiosity and service to others.

 

Preparing for Clinical Social Work Careers at Marymount University

Marymount University’s Online Master of Social Work (MSW) provides the skills and experiences necessary for licensed clinical social worker roles. This entirely online program can be completed in three years of part-time study. Students complete 60 credits of coursework and 900 practicum hours on their way to clinical roles.

Faculty with clinical experience and an innovative curriculum prepare students for future challenges. Foundational courses cover topics from Social Work in a Multicultural Society to Human Behavior and the Social Environment. The program’s advanced courses include:

• Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis: Across the Lifespan
• Social Work Administration and Ethical Issues in Clinical Social Work
• Social Work Evaluation and Policy

A dedicated placement services team helps Online MSW candidates complete their practicum hours. Required practicum hours are divided between 400 hours in the first year and 500 hours in the second year. Supervised experiences are arranged near students’ communities, thus providing relevant and convenient training.

Learn more about how Marymount University’s Online MSW trains the next generation of clinical social workers.