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Social Worker · Career Roadmap

Social Worker Career Roadmap

A visual career roadmap from BSW through MSW, clinical licensure (LCSW), and career advancement. Covers field placement milestones, ASWB exam timelines, supervised hours tracking, and career progression paths in clinical, macro, and administrative social work.

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Your Social Work Career Timeline

Phase 1: BSW Education (Years 1-4)


  • Year 1-2: Liberal arts foundation + intro social work courses

  • Year 3-4: Practice methods, human behavior, social policy, research methods

  • Year 4: Field placement (400+ hours in agency setting)

  • Key milestone: BSW from CSWE-accredited program + eligibility for Advanced Standing MSW
  • Phase 2: MSW Program (Years 5-6)


  • Year 5: Foundation year (or skip with Advanced Standing BSW)

  • Year 6: Concentration year — choose Clinical or Macro track

  • Field placement: 900+ total hours across BSW and MSW programs

  • Key milestone: MSW degree + eligibility for LMSW exam
  • Preview shows 2 of 6 phases. Full roadmap includes ASWB exam prep, supervised hours timeline, LCSW path, and career advancement options.