Social Work Degrees in Massachusetts – MA

By Susan Maphis, allied health world contributing writer
Published: September, 1 2010

A variety of degrees will help you break into the arena of social work in Massachusetts. Depending upon your ultimate goal, you can determine which social work degree in Massachusetts to pursue. With a minimum of an associate degree in a human service field, you can become a LSWA, which allows you to obtain information from clients, help individuals find appropriate services, and gather facts and data for research, working in an agency, health care facility, or under the supervision of a LICSW, LCSW or LSW. It takes about two years to complete an associate degree, and can be done online or in-person at one of the many schools in Massachusetts.

A bachelor degree in social work or any field entitles you to apply to become a LSW in Massachusetts. This takes about four years to complete. If you obtain a bachelor degree in a field other than social work, you need 3500 hours of supervised social work experience as well. If you are still in school but have completed 2 ½ years of your degree requirements, you need 8750 hours of experience. If you have two years completed, you need 10,500 hours of experience. One year of study plus 14,000 hours of social work experience also entitles you to apply for a LSW. Finally, a high school diploma plus 17,500 hours of experience in social work will also get you into the LSW category (also passing the appropriate examinations and providing references, of course). The graduate program (master and doctoral level) will entitle you to apply for LCSW and LICSW specializations, where you will be allowed to provide clinical services to clients, with the independent level allowing you to do so on your own, in an individual practice situation. Massachusetts also requires continuing education to maintain your state license, no matter what the level.

Social Worker Schools in Massachusetts

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Hesser College

[Campus]

Locations:

• Nashua
• Portsmouth
• Salem

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science: Psychology
• Associate of Science: Psychology

Quick Summary: A degree from Hesser College is the best career move you can make.