Clinical vs. Generalist Social Work: Why Choose a Clinical Online Master of Social Work?
Are you seeking an empowering and versatile career helping others? Earning a clinical online master’s in social work will help you achieve precisely that.
The clinical Master of Social Work (MSW) degree develops the advanced knowledge and skills to practice both clinical and generalist social work. By graduating from a program such as Keuka College’s online Master of Social Work, you will be able to enjoy the best of both fields.
Read on to learn the differences between clinical and generalist social work and the benefits of completing a clinical master’s in social work online.
What is Clinical Social Work?
Clinical social work is a specialized area of practice. It focuses on assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances.
A clinical social work career is ideal for people primarily interested in providing therapeutic mental health services in individual, family, or group environments. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) can practice as mental health care providers and in various generalist roles. Because they have a broad scope of practice, LCSWs can work in private practice, hospitals, community health centers, and beyond.
How to Become a Clinical Social Worker
Social work is a state-licensed profession. To become an LCSW, candidates must fulfill the unique requirements of each state. Following are a few of the most common.
Master’s Degree
According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), LCSWs hold a minimum of a master’s degree in social work. The degree program must focus on advanced clinical preparation and be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Clinical MSW programs take about two years to complete. Aspiring LCSWs can earn a clinical master’s in social work online or through an on-campus program.
Supervised Clinical Experience
NASW notes it’s also essential for future LCSWs to participate in supervised clinical experiences. Most states require a minimum of two years or 2,000 hours of post-master’s degree experience in a supervised clinical setting.
Board Examination
Another necessity for LCSWs is passing the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Exam. The test is intended for all MSW graduates who wish to practice clinical social work.
What is Generalist Social Work?
Generalist social work has a range of applications in public service, not-for-profit, education, criminal justice, policy, advocacy, healthcare, and the private sector.
Professionals licensed in generalist social work can focus on direct or macro (indirect) practice. They can work with individuals, families, or groups at the community, state, and national levels. Many focus on macro social work, taking on organizational and community roles.
Practicing clinical social work is only an option for generalist social workers who’ve obtained a state LCSW credential.
How to Become a Generalist Social Worker
The licensing requirements for generalist social work also vary by state but typically include the following.
Social Work Degree
Licensed generalist social workers need a bachelor’s (BSW) or master’s degree (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited social work program. Aspiring generalist social workers can complete their master’s in social work online or on campus.
Board Examination
Passing an ASWB exam is another necessary step. Generalist master’s program graduates typically take the ASWB Masters or Advanced Generalist Exam. The exam depends on the candidate’s educational preparation and state licensure requirements.
Summary of Differences Between Clinical and Generalist Social Work
| Clinical Social Work | Generalist Social Work | |
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
The assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances |
A range of applications within organizations, initiatives, agencies, advocacy groups, community organizations, healthcare, and more |
|
Credentials |
|
|
|
Scope of Practice |
A range of generalist roles and practices as mental health care providers who are eligible for insurance reimbursement |
Primarily organizational roles in a variety of systems, including public service, not-for-profit, education, criminal justice, policy, advocacy, healthcare, and the private sector |
|
Best Suited for |
A professional interested primarily in providing therapeutic mental health services in individual, family, or group environments |
A professional more interested in macro-level practice with groups and communities, such as case management, social program leadership |
Why Earn a Clinical Online Masters in Social Work?
Now that you know the differences between clinical and generalist social work, let’s explore the benefits of earning a clinical master’s in social work.
In a recent survey of MSW graduates, 2 in 3 respondents said they provided mental health services to most clients. That means many of them chose to pursue a clinical master’s in social work online or in-person instead of a generalist social work degree. But why?
Earning a clinical online master’s in social work prepares graduates for a broader scope of practice, positioning them for in-demand occupations and high job satisfaction.
Scope of Practice
One reason to earn a clinical online master’s in social work is that it leads to a diverse career path. Clinical MSW graduates hold many job titles, including:
- Clinical Social Worker
- Clinical Director
- Director of Social Services
- Medical Social Worker
- Mental Health Counselor
- Outpatient Manager
Graduates of clinical MSW programs are ready for advanced clinical practice. But they also have strong qualifications that translate well to generalist roles and leadership positions.
Licensed generalist social workers have less career flexibility because they’re unable to practice clinical social work.
Employment Opportunity
Clinical online master’s in social work programs prepare graduates for clinical, direct, and macro social work. As a result, graduates can benefit from the bright employment outlook across the entire social services sector.
Let’s take a look at a few examples of in-demand jobs for clinical MSW graduates.
Mental Healthcare Jobs
Clinical MSW graduates who become LCSWs can practice as mental health providers. The need for mental health services is growing, but many people lack access.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults have a mental illness. At the same time, the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that almost 1.2 million Americans live in an area with a shortage of mental health providers.
This dynamic has created a great need for mental health practitioners over the next decade, including these roles:
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: 23% employment growth, almost three times faster than the 8% average growth for all U.S. jobs.
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: 15% employment growth, almost twice as fast as the 8% average growth for all U.S. jobs.
Today’s clinical MSW graduates have a unique opportunity to address the tremendous need for mental health services as LCSWs.
Social Work Jobs
Graduates of clinical online master’s in social work programs are ready for the full spectrum of social worker jobs. These positions are also highly in demand.
In the next 10 years, employment will grow by 13% for child, family, school, and healthcare social workers. That figure is almost twice as fast as the 8% average growth for all U.S. jobs.
Why are social workers so sought-after? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics points to rising student enrollments and more people seeking mental health and substance abuse treatment. The growing population of aging adults is also putting pressure on social services.
Whichever population they wish to serve, graduates of clinical online master’s in social work programs can make a difference by supporting people through challenges in their lives.
Job Satisfaction
An added benefit of earning a clinical online master’s in social work is high job satisfaction. Many occupations for which graduates are qualified to take on have a strong job market, good work/life balance, and a positive outlook for future growth.
The following jobs for clinical MSW graduates are among the Best Social Service Jobs and Best 100 Jobs in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report:
| Job | Social Service Job Ranking | Overall Job Ranking |
|---|---|---|
|
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor |
#1 |
#16 |
|
Marriage and Family Therapist |
#2 |
#20 |
|
Clinical Social Worker |
#12 |
#85 |
|
Child and Family Social Worker |
#13 |
#88 |
Prepare for an Empowering and Versatile Career with a Clinical Master’s in Social Work Online
A clinical online master’s in social work is a versatile degree that will position you for advanced clinical practice, plus organizational roles in mental health social services.
At Keuka College, our online Master of Social Work prepares ethical social work practitioners and leaders with evidence-based clinical practice skills. The accredited, part-time program emphasizes experiential learning, mentoring, and practical support.
Led by active, passionate social work practitioners, the online MSW program has two tracks – an advanced track for BSW graduates and a traditional route for students without a BSW.
As a student, you will:
- Prepare to address a growing need in society for mental health services as a clinical social worker and improve the lives of people and their communities.
- Connect with a committed faculty of practicing clinicians, scholars, and peers who share your passion for providing mental health services.
- Build experience in your community, with personal assistance in finding field placement sites.
No matter your professional background, Keuka College’s online MSW program will help you make a meaningful impact on society through advanced social work practice.
