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Juliana
Student
Richmondville, New York
1
Question
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What education is needed to become a social worker in NY #fall25?
Don’t know if the money is good enough for the amount of education needed, do I need a doctorate?
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1 answer
Michelle M.
Actress
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Juliana !
To become a Social Worker in New York State your first step would be to obtain your Bachelors in Social Work (4 years) and then a Masters in Social Work (2 years), so the academics are only 6 years and you do not need a Doctorate Degree.
Before applying for licensure, New York State requires that you'd take and complete coursework in Child Abuse Identification and Reporting. Then, apply for the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) license. Pass the ASWB Master's Level Exam to become eligible for the LMSW license. The application fee for this exam is $294 currently in 2025. You then do 2,000 hours of client contact over a continuous period of at least 36 months (3 years), with the work focused on diagnosis, psychotherapy, and assessment-based treatment planning.
While you are in the Social Work Program for your Bachelors, your professors will guide you step by step through what you need to do, so do not worry.
As far as the pay goes, you won't know salaries until 6 or more years from now when you start working. It will depend on where you work. Some social workers work more than just a full time job, very doable, part time. You should go into social work only if you have a passion for it and that you'd be willing to accept the salaries that are offered by agencies at the time you are ready to look for work. Salaries for LMSW's are usually not bad, but very good in large cities.
The issue you may want to consider is that there are few or no mental health or social services in Richmondville. You would have to consider this because you will want to secure clinicals as well as employment. Research the possible places you can work and decide if you'd want to relocate to a large city where there is usually lots of opportunity or if you want to go into your nearest large city for work. The New York State Office of Mental Health and local National Alliance on Mental Illness chapters may also offer guidance or referrals for services in upstate New York areas. You may want to explore Schenectady, Albany, or Oneonta.
If there are any other questions you may have, do return here ! I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
To become a Social Worker in New York State your first step would be to obtain your Bachelors in Social Work (4 years) and then a Masters in Social Work (2 years), so the academics are only 6 years and you do not need a Doctorate Degree.
Before applying for licensure, New York State requires that you'd take and complete coursework in Child Abuse Identification and Reporting. Then, apply for the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) license. Pass the ASWB Master's Level Exam to become eligible for the LMSW license. The application fee for this exam is $294 currently in 2025. You then do 2,000 hours of client contact over a continuous period of at least 36 months (3 years), with the work focused on diagnosis, psychotherapy, and assessment-based treatment planning.
While you are in the Social Work Program for your Bachelors, your professors will guide you step by step through what you need to do, so do not worry.
As far as the pay goes, you won't know salaries until 6 or more years from now when you start working. It will depend on where you work. Some social workers work more than just a full time job, very doable, part time. You should go into social work only if you have a passion for it and that you'd be willing to accept the salaries that are offered by agencies at the time you are ready to look for work. Salaries for LMSW's are usually not bad, but very good in large cities.
The issue you may want to consider is that there are few or no mental health or social services in Richmondville. You would have to consider this because you will want to secure clinicals as well as employment. Research the possible places you can work and decide if you'd want to relocate to a large city where there is usually lots of opportunity or if you want to go into your nearest large city for work. The New York State Office of Mental Health and local National Alliance on Mental Illness chapters may also offer guidance or referrals for services in upstate New York areas. You may want to explore Schenectady, Albany, or Oneonta.
If there are any other questions you may have, do return here ! I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !