How to Become a Social Worker in New York

July 27, 2022

From healthcare to schools and private practices to government agencies, there are many opportunities for professionals interested in social work jobs in New York. In fact, several of the top thirty jobs on the U.S. News & World Report Best Social Services Jobs list can be fulfilled by individuals who earn a master’s degree in social work in New York and obtain relevant licenses.

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 individuals who are interested in careers like these, the question becomes: how do I become a social worker in New York? Consider the steps you need to take in order to earn a master’s degree that will prepare you for a career as a social worker in New York. Then, learn more about the various career paths—including job outlooks and average salaries—for several social work jobs in New York.

Educational Requirement 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

In order to become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), an individual must meet certain educational standards through the completion of an accredited MSW program. The accreditation must be awarded by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or considered equivalent by the New York Department of Education.

According to New York state, the LMSW educational 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

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 Requirement for New York Social Workers

Upon completion of 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 to be comparable.

Those who want to become an LMSW must, upon completion of their master’s degree in social work, pass the “Masters” examination administered by ASWB. Those intending to become an LCSW must pass the “Clinical” examination administered by ASWB.

Social Work Careers in New York

There are many answers to the question “what does a social worker in New York do?” In schools, corporations, hospitals, and many more settings, there are social work jobs in New York that make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities every day. In fact, New York state has the second-highest number of social workers in America in the three major categories of social work:

Consider some of the ways that each of these types of social workers help others in New York state.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

These professionals focus primarily on the well-being of children and families. They may work within schools, nonprofits, or private practices to aid and protect children in vulnerable situations. Clinical social workers (LCSW) can provide mental health care to children and families.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Social workers in this field support individuals who are struggling with mental health, drug addiction, or alcoholism. They may work within rehabilitation centers, hospitals, clinics, or social service organizations. Others may go into private practice where, as LCSWs, they provide psychotherapy.

Healthcare Social Workers

Often employed by hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes, healthcare social workers support patients and their families. They may also work on behalf of community health efforts. Healthcare social workers often advise caregivers and work collaboratively with other health professionals to provide holistic care to patients.

Job Outlook and Social Worker Salary in New York State

New York 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. Across the country, employment of social workers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations of eight percent. The projected rate of increase in social work employment between 2018 and 2028 is even higher in New York:

Child, Family, and School Social Workers: 18.7%
Healthcare Social Workers: 28.7%
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: 29.8%
Social Workers, All Other: 12.3%

The national median annual salary for social workers as of May 2021 was $50,930. Take a look at the median salaries for New York social workers in various regions of the state.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers:

Western NY: $51,550
Finger Lakes: $54,990
New York City: $60,010

Healthcare Social Workers:

Western NY: $50,210
Finger Lakes: $53,740
New York City: $62,550

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers:

Finger Lakes: $54,130
Western NY: $54,630
New York City: $64,660

Social Workers, All Other:

Western NY: $60,490
Finger Lakes: $71,840
New York City: $75,930

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. The 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. Also featuring 100% online coursework and field placement services, the traditional track is a three-year program.

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 through which social work assessment and intervention may be carried out.
Integrating Theory and Evidence-Based Practice: Apply skills through experiential learning, along with discussion and assignments that support the integration of theory as well as 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.