Social Workers – Our Training & Practice
At of the end of 2017, there were over 3600 licensed social workers in the state of Connecticut, more than psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors combined. 80% of social workers are women.
What Do Social Workers Do?
Psychotherapy, counseling, diagnosis and treatment, crisis intervention, case management, clinical assessments, casework, group work, information and referral, service coordination, program evaluation, behavior management, prevention, advocacy, administration, program planning, community organization, policy, teaching, supervision, research and more. From direct services to large systems change you will find professional social workers making a positive difference in people’s lives.
Where Are Social Workers Employed?
Social workers are employed in a wide range of settings, including family services, child guidance, hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, schools, private practice, addictions services, residential facilities, mental health clinics, senior centers, home care, dialysis centers, veterans programs, community action agencies, public defenders offices, courts, DCF, DSS, DOC, universities, insurance companies, industry, advocacy organizations, and political offices. Social workers are engaged in all sectors of employment: non-profit, for-profit, and public.
Licensure Requirements
Social workers practicing clinical social work must first be licensed as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) that requires the MSW degree and passage of the nationally recognized Master Exam of the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). To become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) the LMSW must complete 3,000 hours of clinical practice, including 100 hours of direct LCSW supervision and pass the nationally recognized Clinical Exam of ASWB.
Social Work Education Requirements
Connecticut has 7 schools that award BSW degrees, 5 schools that award MSW degrees and 1 school that awards a DSW. The schools are Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Quinnipiac University, Sacred Heart University, Southern Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut, University of Saint Joseph, and Western Connecticut State University.
BSW-level students will take theory and practice courses in areas of individuals, groups, families, and communities, plus policy and research. Students at the BSW level are required to complete at least 400 hours of internships supervised by a professional.
MSW-level students will choose a specialty concentration of practice fields, such as aging populations, children and families, school social work, healthcare, mental health, community organizing, and policy/administration. MSW students must complete over 1,000 hours of internships under MSW supervision. Students must demonstrate competence of practice in 9 core competencies.
