What is the training for Licensed Clinical Social Workers?
The practice of Clinical Social Work is actually controlled nationwide in the U.S. by the Council on Social Work Education. The curriculum of all Social Work programs must first be approved by the Council before the College or University can grant Accredited Degrees in Social Work.
All Masters Degrees require two years of full time instruction in addition to two years of Internship in what is called Field Placements where the students work directly with clients under the Supervision of Licensed Clinical Social Workers who are also Faculty of the school in which the training is being offered.
After the two years (3200hrs.) of training, another two years of direct inpatient or outpatient treatment under supervision my be competed. Finally, a written and oral examination must be completed before Licensure in granted.
Currently, Clinical Social Workers provide 62% of all mental health services in the United States.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers, or LCSW’s, must first obtain an undergraduate degree, then must complete a two-year graduate program and obtain a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) degree. This program involves a combination of research, classroom instruction and training, and field training in live counseling situations. Once graduating with an MSW, a therapist must provide 3200 hours of therapy under a licensed supervisor (in no less than two years), attend additional required training seminars, pass a standardized written examination, and then pass an oral board examination to become licensed to work without supervision. Once licensed, an LCSW must receive 36 units of continuing education every two years.
