How to Become a Social Worker in New York

This article has been updated on May 16, 2024.

In the bustling epicenter of New York, where the pulse of innovation resonates through the streets, lies an opportunity for change—the area of social work. How to become a social worker in New York is not just a question of career trajectory but a challenge to leverage technology, empathy, and ingenuity in service of humanity's most pressing needs. From the corridors of healthcare institutions to the boardrooms of policymakers, the social worker embodies the spirit of progress, pioneering solutions to societal challenges with a blend of compassion and strategic thinking.

In a state defined by its relentless pursuit of excellence, the path to social work calls for those with a vision for a brighter future, where technology and empathy meet to promote a more equitable and sustainable world. This mission requires dedicated individuals willing to stand at the forefront of social change and advocate for those in need. For those who are ready to embrace this calling, there are exciting opportunities awaiting in New York, where earning a master’s degree in social work and obtaining relevant licenses can open doors to fulfilling several of the top thirty jobs on the U.S. News & World Report Best Social Services Jobs list.

Those roles include:

• Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor Overview
• Mental Health Counselor
• Clinical Social Worker
• Marriage and Family Therapist
• Child and Family Social Worker

For those drawn to the potential impact of these meaningful careers, a common question emerges: How can I become a social worker in New York? The journey begins with obtaining a master's degree, which serves as the foundational step necessary to meet the social worker requirements for licensure in New York. Next, delve into the many avenues awaiting you within the field, including diverse career trajectories, job prospects, and the average salaries across various social worker roles in New York.

Educational Requirements for New York Social Workers

Educational requirements in New York vary based on the aspiring social worker’s career goals. While entry-level social work positions are available to those with a bachelor’s degree, many social work positions—especially clinical social work roles—require a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) in New York. 

Licensed Master Social Worker Educational Requirements

To become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), one must navigate a series of educational prerequisites designed to instill the necessary knowledge and proficiency. This begins with the pursuit of an accredited MSW program, a crucial step in laying the foundation for a rewarding career in social work. Let’s delve into the complete list of educational requirements mandated for aspiring LMSWs, as defined by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the New York Department of Education.

According to New York State Education Department, the LMSW social worker requirements include the completion of an MSW program that includes curriculum in:

• Social work values and ethics;
• Diversity, social justice, and at-risk populations;
• Human behavior in the social environment;
• Social welfare policy and service delivery systems;
• Foundation and advanced social work practice;
• Social work practice evaluation and research; and
• A field practicum of at least 900 clock hours in social work integrated with the prescribed curricular content.
• Applicants for LMSW licensure in New York must also complete coursework or training in identifying and reporting child abuse.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Educational Requirements

To achieve licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), individuals must satisfy a distinct set of educational requirements tailored to the demands of clinical practice within the field of social work. Building upon the foundational principles instilled during their MSW education, prospective LCSWs undergo specialized training aimed at sharpening their diagnostic, assessment, and therapeutic skills. Let’s explore the educational prerequisites prescribed for aspiring LCSWs, delineating the coursework and clinical training requisite for this designation.

• Social work values and ethics;
• Diversity, social justice, and at-risk populations;
• Human behavior in the social environment;
• Social welfare policy and service delivery systems;
• Foundation and advanced social work practice;
• Social work practice evaluation and research;
• A field practicum of at least 900 clock hours in social work integrated with the prescribed curricular content and
• Clinical coursework of at least 12 semester hours that prepares the individual to practice as an LCSW. The courses must include content that emphasizes the person-in-environment perspective and knowledge and skills in the following areas:
  • Diagnosis and assessment in clinical social work practice;
  • Clinical social work treatment; and
  • Clinical social work practice with general and special populations.

Licensure Requirements for New York Social Workers

Upon completing their master’s degree in social work, aspiring LCSWs and LMSWs must successfully complete examinations administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) or an examination that the New York State Department of Education considers comparable. Those who want to become an LMSW must, upon completion of their master’s degree in social work, pass the “Master” examination administered by ASWB. Those intending to become an LCSW must pass the “Clinical” examination administered by ASWB.

For a clearer understanding of the licensure requirements for becoming an LMSW and an LCSW in New York, refer to the following chart, which provides a concise comparison between the two paths to licensure.

Requirement	Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)	Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Earn an MSW degree	Must complete a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program from a CSWE-accredited institution.	Must complete a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program from a CSWE-accredited institution.
Pass ASWB Exam	Must pass the ASWB Masters Exam, a non-clinical examination that evaluates foundational knowledge and skills essential for social work practice.	Must pass the ASWB Clinical Exam, which scrutinizes clinical acumen and diagnostic prowess.
Supervised Clinical Hours	No specific requirement for supervised clinical hours.	Must complete required supervised clinical hours, typically ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 hours under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker.
Obtain State Licensure	Must obtain state licensure to practice as an LMSW.	Must obtain state licensure to practice as an LCSW.

 

Social Work in New York State: Careers, Job Outlook and Salaries 

Across the country, employment of social workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. Social work careers are experiencing rapid expansion, with projections indicating an average of approximately 63,800 job openings for social workers annually over the span of a decade. If you’re curious about how to become a social worker in New York, according to the New York State Education Department, the projected growth rate for social workers in New York exceeds that of other occupations.

As an LMSW or an LCSW in New York State, you will find abundant opportunities to make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities across specialized settings. Many social work professions rank among the top social services jobs in the United States, including:

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers

• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker

• Healthcare Social Worker

These and other specialized fields of social work serve specific populations throughout the state of New York. Let’s explore each career path, as well as the expected job outlook and social worker salary in NYC.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

These compassionate professionals focus on nurturing the well-being of children and families, often intervening in vulnerable situations to provide aid and protection. In New York, licensed social workers may find employment within schools, nonprofits, or private practices, where they offer crucial support to children and families in need.

• Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030) in New York State: 24%

• Median Annual Salary in New York: $74,080 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Addressing the complex challenges of mental health, drug addiction, and alcoholism, social workers in this field provide invaluable support to individuals in crisis. Whether working within rehabilitation centers, hospitals, clinics, or private practice, licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) in New York offer vital psychotherapy and support services to those in need.

• Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030) in New York State: 26%

• Median Annual Salary in New York State: $92,470

Healthcare Social Workers

Amidst the healthcare landscape of New York, social workers in healthcare settings play a pivotal role in supporting patients and their families. These professionals offer holistic care from hospitals to rehabilitation centers and nursing homes, providing invaluable guidance and advocacy to patients and their loved ones.

• Projected Growth Rate (2020-2030) in New York State: 27%

• Median Annual Salary in New York State: $64,050

Social Work in New York City: Careers, Job Outlook and Salaries

As one of the most populous and dynamic cities in the world, New York City offers a myriad of opportunities for licensed social workers seeking to make a meaningful impact. If you are wondering how to become a social worker in NYC, this city is part of the number one metropolitan area (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA) that employs social workers in the United States. Based on projections from now through 2028, New York City anticipates a 21.8% growth in social work positions, which translates to an average of 2,292 annual job openings. The top three social work careers in New York exhibit even greater demand and median yearly salaries compared to the state average. 

Social Worker Job Outlook in New York City

With its rich tapestry of cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and social challenges, New York City presents a unique landscape where social workers play an essential role in addressing a wide range of issues. From advocating for underserved populations to providing vital support services, social workers in NYC are in high demand.

Social Worker Salary in New York City

By examining the expected social worker salary in NYC, we gain a deeper understanding of the financial considerations and rewards associated with this essential profession within the city. Take a look at the median social worker salary in NYC for various roles.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers:

• New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA: $78,610

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers:

• New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA: $98,480

Healthcare Social Workers:

• New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA: $69,870

Where Do Social Workers In New York City Work?

Social workers in New York City find themselves embedded within diverse and energetic environments, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities to make a meaningful impact. The list below includes various landscapes where social workers can navigate and enact change.

• Healthcare Institutions: Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities in NYC require the expertise of healthcare social workers to provide holistic care and support to patients and their families.
• Educational Settings: Schools, colleges, and universities in New York City rely on the guidance and support of social workers to address the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students, families, and staff.
• Nonprofit Organizations: Nonprofits dedicated to serving marginalized communities, such as homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, and community centers, are always seeking qualified social workers to provide vital services and advocacy.
• Government Agencies: Local and state government agencies in NYC employ social workers to address a wide range of social issues, including housing, child welfare, and mental health services.

When it comes to social work jobs in New York, the types of employers who are hiring in the areas named above include:

• Western NY: Health systems, residential treatment facilities, child and family services
• Finger Lakes: Veterans Affairs, outpatient clinics, school districts
• New York City: Department of Education, charter schools, drug abuse prevention programs

Become a Social Worker in New York with an Online MSW from Keuka College

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers? If so, the online Master of Social Work degree program at Keuka College may be the ideal degree program for you.

As the #1 Social Work Degree Conferring College in New York,* Keuka is one of the best colleges in New York for social work.

Dr. Jason McKinney, Division Chair and Professor of Social Work at Keuka College, shares his reflections on the joy derived from providing an accessible program, enabling aspiring social workers to attain a high-quality education online. He states, “Keuka College has taken pride in delivering our social work programs to underserved areas across New York State. Previously, we were limited to offering our programs at various community colleges, but now we are able to reach so many more students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities.”

If you have been searching for how to become a social worker in New York, Keuka’s program offers advanced and traditional tracks. The advanced track MSW is designed for professionals who hold a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) already and are interested in advancing their careers as clinical mental health practitioners who can accept insurance referrals. The coursework takes place 100% online, field placement services are provided, and the program can be completed in less than two years. The traditional track MSW is available for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work. It is a three-year program that features 100% online coursework and field placement services.

Both tracks are clinically focused and centered on the following program themes:

• Professional and Ethical Development: Build your professional identity and capabilities to practice ethical, conscious, and informed clinical social work practice.
• Clinical Social Work Competencies: Expand and integrate theoretical knowledge and skills that enable social work assessment and intervention.
• Integrating Theory and Evidence-Based Practice: Students will apply skills through experiential learning, discussion, and assignments that support the integration of theory, professional ethics, and values.
• Social Policy, Diversity, and Human Rights: Explore the framework of social welfare policy in the United States to become an informed advocate for human rights.

The Keuka College Online Master of Social Work degree program is CSWE-accredited and meets the educational requirements for taking the exam to become an LCSW in the state of New York. The program prepares students for many careers, including psychotherapist, substance abuse counselor, and medical social worker.

Download the online MSW program guide.

^{*National Center for Education Statistics, 2019.}