Social work is rooted in social change and the empowerment of vulnerable populations. There are a variety of areas within the field that you can explore and eventually work in, but most of them start with an education in social work. Your social work journey greatly depends on your desired end-state goals. If you’re looking to work in a social work setting as an admin, clerical work or performing basic social work duties, then a BSW may be enough. However, if you plan to take on more responsibility and work directly with clients, then you’ll likely need to obtain a license, which requires a master’s level degree or higher.

The amount of time it takes you to become a social worker depends on a range of factors, including individual goals, whether or not you choose to pursue an advanced degree and whether you choose to enroll as a full-time or part-time student.

So generally, how long does it take to become a social worker?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), you need a BSW or an MSW to become a social worker. You can choose to pursue an online BSW degree or go for an in-person option—it all depends on your personal preferences. Entry-level social workers with a BSW degree can take an exam, get licensed as a BSW, and then start their careers with a few options, such as a case management aide, probation officer, human services specialist, or community outreach worker. If you’re unsure about becoming a social worker but still have an interest in the social services field, you may want to consider completing an undergraduate degree program in a related discipline like psychology or sociology.

Not all social work career paths require licensure. However, if you want to become a licensed social worker, you must obtain licensure. The Association of Social Work Boards sets the standards for licensure and administers an exam. There are bachelor’s and master’s exams, as well as the advanced generalist or clinical exam. It’s important to check with your state’s individual boards to find out which exam you’ll need to take to gain the appropriate license, because licensure varies by state. Each ASWB exam has 170 questions and a 4-hour time limit.

There is a difference between a licensed social worker (also known as a Licensed Master Social Worker) and a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). There are many career outcomes for both types of social workers. In many states, the first-tier social work license (often called LSW or a similar title) typically requires completing an accredited social work degree (BSW or MSW, depending on the state) and passing the appropriate ASWB exam. Requirements and license titles vary by jurisdiction because social work licensure is set by state/provincial boards rather than a single national standard. 

Unlike clinical licensure, which generally requires post-MSW supervised clinical experience, entry-level licenses often allow social workers to practice in nonclinical roles (for example, case management or services in settings such as corrections or workforce/employment programs), though the exact scope of practice varies by state. An LCSW usually requires several hours (translating to two to four years) of supervised experience. LCSWs work in clinical settings such as hospitals, inpatient facilities, or hospice care centers.

A traditional MSW prepares graduates to manage large caseloads, assume supervisory roles, and engage in policy-level advocacy. Programs with a clinical focus will teach you how to perform clinical assessments. While traditional MSW programs can take up to 4 years to complete, many last 2 years and require a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field instruction. It’s important to note that your scope of practice may be limited without a license.

When selecting a program, remember that you’re not limited to in-person options. There are online traditional MSW degrees from schools accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), as well as part-time programs that help you to balance your studies with your full-time job and other personal obligations.

In CSWE’s 2023–2024 Social Work Education in the United States report (published 2025), 60.8% of MSW students were enrolled full-time (39.2% part-time).

CSWE now reports MSW delivery methods (programs may offer more than one). In the 2023–2024 survey, 128 of 225 responding MSW programs (about 56.9%) reported offering an online program format (defined as more than 90% of coursework online), and 99 of 225 (about 44.0%) reported offering hybrid programs.

MSW programs also reported common areas of practice, with advanced generalist practice the most common (106 programs; 19,009 students enrolled), and a range of specialized practice areas. The most common specialized practice area reported was health/behavioral health/mental health/integrated health (54 programs; 2,789 students), alongside areas such as children, youth, and families and aging/gerontology, reflecting that MSW training can prepare graduates to work with groups like youth and families, mental health clients, and older adults depending on program focus and field placement.

There is also an option to complete an accelerated or fast-track MSW program. This allows for students with diverse academic backgrounds and interests to earn their degree faster than they would in a traditional MSW program and start their careers after graduation. Within 12 to 16 months, students typically complete the required number of credits.

Advanced standing MSW programs are designed for people who have already earned a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program, building on undergraduate work.

Many programs look for prospective students with supervised fieldwork, practical application hours, or internships. According to the CSWE, advanced standing programs take about a single year total to complete. Similar to a normal MSW, advanced standing can be done full-time or part-time.

If you seek to continue your education past the master’s-level, you have the option to pursue a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or Ph.D. in Social Work.

Through advanced practice knowledge, enhanced practice competency in evaluation skills, a deep emphasis on theoretical approaches to social problems, and scholarly dissemination, the DSW prepares graduates to pursue a variety of roles. According to the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work, DSW graduates often assume leadership roles in community agencies, serve as advanced clinicians in clinical settings, and take teaching positions. GADE notes two common career avenues for DSW graduates: academic clinical teaching roles (including positions at teaching-intensive and large research-intensive universities) and professional social work roles in settings such as government or community agencies (and the military), where they may provide advanced clinical services and take on program leadership responsibilities.

On average, the DSW takes two full-time years to complete. If you’re a part-time student, it could take three to five years. The same goes for Ph.D. students. Of course, this varies by school and student. Many who choose to pursue this degree are full-time professionals, making part-time enrollment a viable option. According to CSWE’s most recent annual survey summary report (published in 2025, covering the 2023–2024 academic year), 59.3% of enrolled practice doctorate (DSW) students were enrolled part-time (40.7% full-time)

While there are DSW and PhD programs that use online delivery, online options are far more common at the MSW level. In CSWE’s annual survey summary, 128 MSW programs reported offering an “online program” format (defined by CSWE as more than 90% of coursework online).

At the doctoral level, CSWE reports delivery methods (programs may offer more than one). Among respondents, 6 of 8 DSW programs (75%) reported offering an online program format, while 3 of 52 PhD programs (about 5.8%) did so. For PhD programs, blended courses (5 programs) and hybrid programs (3 programs) were also reported, suggesting that some programs incorporate online coursework even when they are not primarily online.

How long it takes to become a social worker depends on the goals you have. If you know exactly what you want to do and have earned a bachelor’s in social work, then you can opt for an advanced standing or accelerated program. If you still need more time to decide what you want your future career to look like, that’s perfectly fine too. It’s important to explore all career options and opportunities associated with the degree you choose to pursue. If you are looking for a starting point, you can refer to our guide to online social work degrees.

Information last updated: January 2026