AHEC Connecticut
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH - Social Worker
To be a successful Social Worker you should...
- want your work to make a difference
- believe in the worth and dignity of all people
- have acceptance and appreciation of individual differences and contributions
- have a clear understanding of the values, ethics, knowledge, and skills of a helping professional
- have excellent oral and written communication skills
- have the ability to work in isolation and make independent judgments
- understand the value of team work
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What will my job be like?
Social workers help individuals, families, and groups to function within their environments by providing direct services such as counseling and securing resources, or by advocating for a change in the environment (systems change).
Social Workers may specialize in:
- Child Welfare
- Community Organizing
- Gerontology
- Marriage and Family
- Health Care
- Mental Health
- Social Policy and Administration
- Substance Misuse and Addictions
Where could I work?
Social workers are employed in schools, corporations, courts of law, and private practice.
Other workplace settings:
- Community Mental Health Centers
- Governmental Agencies
- HIV/AIDs Clinics
- Home Health Agencies
- Hospitals
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers
- Nursing Homes
- Prisons
- Social Service Agencies
What is the average annual salary?
$45,146
What is the future of this career?
Employment of social workers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. The rapidly growing elderly population will create greater demand for health and social services.
What type of education and/or training do I need?
To be a social worker, one must have a degree in social work from a college or university program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The undergraduate degree is the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). Graduate degrees include the Master of Social Work (MSW) and the Doctorate in Social Work (DSW or PhD). The bachelor’s degree prepares graduates for generalist entry-level work, whereas the master’s degree is for more advanced practice. A DSW or PhD is useful for doing research or teaching at the university level.
Where can I get the education and/or training?
BSW Programs
- Central Connecticut State University, New Britain
- Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic
- Sacred Heart University, Fairfield
- Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven
- St. Joseph College, West Hartford
- Western Connecticut State University, Danbury
MSW Programs
- Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven
- University of Connecticut, West Hartford
Do I need a license or certification for this career?
Licensure is required in the State of Connecticut to provide clinical social work (therapy). Prerequisite: To be a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), Connecticut requires a Master’s degree in social work, 3000 hours post-graduate clinical social work experience, 100 hours of approved supervision by LCSW and passage of the clinical exam of the American Association of State Social Work Boards.
Where can I get more information?
National Association of Social Workers
750 First St, NE, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20002
(800) 638-8799
www.socialworkers.org