Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) use
counseling to help individuals and families cope with crisis, stress and
daily living concerns. They may offer marital, personal or family
counseling. They cannot prescribe medications, but can diagnose and
treat mental illnesses and addictions. LCSWs must have a master's or
doctoral degree to obtain a license and practice. Online Master of
Social Work degrees are available, as are the continuing education
courses required to maintain licensure.
How to Choose an Online School for Licensed Clinical Social Work
Award Levels
Online programs provide students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in social work, which is required to practice as an LCSW. Students may be able to enter programs with advanced standing if they hold a bachelor's degree in social work from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.Program Details
Master's programs are offered in a hybrid format. Coursework may be presented online in the form of lectures, discussions, streaming video and e-mail chat with classmates and teachers. There is also a fieldwork component that students fulfill through supervised work with a local social work agency.Online classes are often accessed through Blackboard or another learning management system. Students will want to have a new computer with high-speed Internet access and e-mail. A webcam and microphone may be needed for some classes, along with video recording capability.
Career Outlook
According to O*NET OnLine, wages and job growth projections for LCSWs vary by social work specialty. In 2009, the highest median annual salary, $46,920, was earned by marriage and family counselors. The growth rate of this specialty from 2008-2018 was projected to be faster than average for all occupations at 14-19% (online.onetcenter.org).For the same time period, the projected growth rate for substance abuse counselors was 20% or higher, which is much faster than average. However, the median annual salary in this specialty is substantially lower at $37,700. As noted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected job market was expected to be the most favorable for LCSWs who work with the elderly or in rural areas (www.bls.gov).
List of Online Programs for Licensed Clinical Social Workers
Master of Social Work
A Master of Social Work (MSW) program usually has two parts. The first deals with the fundamentals of social work, including theories and methods. Academic classes focus on human behavior and how humans interact within their social environments. Other classes feature a survey of social work, including policies, practices and the community roles of service organizations. Complex case studies and treatment plans involving families and other groups are examined and interpreted.With this foundation established, students move on to the advanced portion of the program. There, they thoroughly explore how personal and societal influences affect people in ways both positive and negative, and apply this to social work theories and methods. Issues considered include the effects on human development of inequity, social exclusion, domestic discord or violence and economic disadvantage. The practical skills of case management, such as advocacy, problem solving and crisis intervention, are also a major focus. Students must learn to exhibit professional conduct at all times, and teach their clients skills and values that promote good health.
For their supervised fieldwork, students may choose to focus on a particular group or theme, such as crisis intervention, child protection, or working with military personnel and veterans. Following graduation, most states require students to have a period of supervised clinical practice before they can be eligible for licensure as LCSWs. Hours and conditions for licensure vary by state. In addition, once in professional practice, LCSWs must fulfill continuing education requirements to remain certified.
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