Whether you’ve already started your social work career or you’re considering a career change‚ you’ll need to understand how to become a social worker in GA. This article offers a brief overview of how you can earn a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in social work‚ what you need to get licensed‚ and how to renew your license.
Get an associate or bachelor’s degree in social work
Getting an associate or bachelor’s degree in social work in Georgia can help you find a fulfilling career in this growing field. You’ll be able to work with people of all ages‚ helping them to overcome emotional‚ behavioral‚ and mental problems. You can find work in hospitals‚ schools‚ social service agencies‚ home health agencies‚ substance abuse treatment facilities‚ juvenile detention facilities‚ and many other places. You can even pursue a career in mental health care or child and family social work.
Georgia is the fastest growing state in the country‚ and there are many opportunities for social workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics‚ social workers in Georgia earned a mean wage of $50‚345 in 2018. However‚ the demand for social workers is expected to increase with the growth of the state’s population.
Complete 3‚000 hours of supervised social work experience
Depending on the type of social work you want to practice‚ you may need to obtain a state license. The amount of education required to earn a license can vary by state. A bachelor’s degree in social work‚ for example‚ will allow you to practice in a variety of settings under the supervision of a licensed social worker. You’ll also need to pass a number of exams in order to obtain a license.
In Georgia‚ you’ll need to pass a number of tests to earn your license. In particular‚ you’ll need to pass the Association of Social Work Boards’ clinical level exam. You’ll also need to complete a number of continuing education credits. You can learn more about qualifying continuing education programs at the National Association of Social Workers: Georgia Chapter.
Renew your license
Obtaining a license to practice as a social worker in Georgia is an important step for helping to protect the public. The Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors sets the rules and regulations for social workers in the state. To renew your license‚ you will need to meet certain requirements.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) require three years of supervised work experience in the field before applying for licensure. They must also take the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) clinical exam.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – Georgia Chapter has an online career center for licensed social workers. It offers professional development opportunities‚ networking events and educational materials. They also publish a list of social work-related continuing education programs.
To get a license as a clinical social worker‚ you will need to complete an application and submit all required documentation. You will also need to pay an application fee and the necessary processing fees. You must also complete a continuing education course in professional ethics.
Earn an annual mean wage of $50‚345
Whether you are new to the field or have decades of experience‚ you can earn an annual mean wage of $50‚345 as a social worker in Georgia. The field is expected to grow by approximately 13% over the next several years‚ with aging baby boomers creating a greater need for health services. However‚ there are many factors that affect a social worker’s salary‚ including level of education‚ geographic location‚ industry and job duties.
The highest paid social workers earned $85‚820 in 2020. The ten percent of social workers who earned the highest wages made more than $85‚820.
There are four main categories of social workers‚ including mental health and substance abuse social workers‚ child‚ family‚ and school social workers‚ and healthcare social workers. Becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) requires a master’s degree from an accredited school and passing a state licensure exam.
Contact the state licensing board
Whether you are interested in becoming a social worker in Georgia or want to learn more about the state’s social work licensing requirements‚ there are a few things you should know. There are two types of licenses: a master’s level license and an LCSW license. The Georgia Board of Professional Counselors is responsible for issuing these licenses.
A Master’s degree is a prerequisite for obtaining a LCSW license in Georgia. The master’s program includes classroom instruction as well as internship experiences. A master’s program can take two to three years to complete. Afterwards‚ you may practice for a year while you prepare for your licensing exam.
The master’s-level ASWB exam has a similar format to the undergraduate examination. It consists of 150 multiple choice questions. You may spend up to four hours preparing for this exam.
