Start your social work career with the grasslands of the Great Plains, the legendary Ferris Wheel on the Oklahoma River, and a statewide network of approximately 11,160 social workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

This guide for how to become a social worker in Oklahoma explains educational requirements, how to get licensed, social work organizations to join and more. Once you complete the steps to become a social worker in Oklahoma, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others in the Sooner State.

Information below was retrieved February 2026 and is only meant to be a high-level overview. Requirements may change, always check with the state licensing board for complete and up to date information.

Sponsored Online Social Work Programs

University of Denver

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The University of Denver’s Online MSW Program is delivered by its top-ranked school of social work and offers two programs. Students can earn their degree in as few as 12 months for the Online Advanced-Standing MSW or 27 months for the Online MSW.

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Syracuse University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Syracuse University’s online Master of Social Work program does not require GRE scores to apply and is focused on preparing social workers who embrace technology as an important part of the future of the profession. Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks are available.

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Simmons University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Aspiring direct practitioners can earn their MSW online from Simmons University in as few as 9 months. GRE scores are not required, and the program offers full-time, part-time, accelerated, and advanced standing tracks.

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Howard University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The online Master of Social Work program from Howard University School of Social Work prepares students for advanced direct or macro practice in culturally diverse communities. Two concentrations available: Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice. No GRE. Complete in as few as 12 months.

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Hawaii Pacific University

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Master of Social Work

The online Master of Social Work prepares aspiring social work leaders to develop a multicultural social work practice, advocate for social and economic justice, and empower diverse communities affected by systemic inequities within civilian and military-focused areas. 

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Common Steps to Become an Oklahoma Social Worker

Before becoming a social worker in Oklahoma, you must earn a degree in social work from an approved program (a BSW or MSW, depending on the license you pursue). Oklahoma offers five types of social work licenses. There may also be additional requirements, such as a background check and clinical supervision, based on your goals. Below are the steps for obtaining licenses in Oklahoma, summarized by the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Social Workers.

1. Earn a CSWE-Accredited Social Work Degree

To become a licensed social worker in Oklahoma, you will have to complete a BSW or Master of Social Work (MSW) program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). You can pursue these degrees in Oklahoma through full-time, part-time and online formats. 

2. Fulfill your social work supervised experience requirement and pass your national/state exams

Oklahoma has five levels of social workers, according to the state’s licensing board, with increasing requirements:

Licensed social work associate (LSWA): A person with an accredited bachelor’s degree in social work who has passed the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor’s exam. Generally, LSWAs can provide basic non-clinical social work services.

Licensed master’s social worker (LMSW): Someone with an accredited master’s degree in social work who has passed the ASWB master’s exam. LMSWs can practice in agency and organizational settings, but they may not engage in independent practice or the private practice of clinical social work.”

Licensed social worker (LSW): Requires a master’s degree in social work, passage of the required ASWB exam level, and 3,000 hours of supervised post-degree social work experience, including at least 100 hours of face-to-face educational supervision.

Licensed social worker with a specialty of administration (LSW-ADM): Requires a master’s degree in social work, passage of the required ASWB exam level, and 3,000 hours of supervised experience in administrative social work, including at least 100 hours of educational supervision, under an LSW-ADM supervisor.

Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): Requires a master’s degree in social work, passage of the ASWB Clinical exam, and 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, including 3,000 hours of direct client contact and at least 100 hours of educational supervision.

3. Get Licensed

Once you’ve met the education and exam requirements (and, if applicable, completed supervised experience), you can apply for Oklahoma licensure and complete the required criminal history background check.

Learn more about how to become a social worker.

There are multiple accredited BSW and MSW degree programs in Oklahoma. A bachelor’s degree in social work online or on campus may enable a student to enter an advanced standing program in an MSW program, where you may be able to complete an MSW in about one year. A BSW also prepares students for entry-level social work positions, and is the minimum requirement for licensure as an LSWA in Oklahoma. There are five universities offering CSWE-accredited BSW programs in Oklahoma:

For Oklahoma’s higher license levels, you’ll typically need at least an MSW (or a doctoral degree in social work), depending on the license. Some individuals increase their education and experience in social work by pursuing Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degrees. 

MSW programs in Oklahoma teach students advanced social work theories and practical knowledge. MSW programs may include coursework on topics such as human development, social work policy, and intervention. There are two fully accredited MSW programs in Oklahoma. 

Oklahoma’s two CSWE-accredited MSW programs, at the University of Oklahoma and Northeastern State University, offer online learning options. The University of Oklahoma offers a 100% online MSW. Online MSW programs offer the same curriculum and coursework as traditional on-campus Oklahoma programs. Students are taught by the same professors and also complete fieldwork as part of the program. 

Oklahoma has five types of licenses for social workers: licensed social work associate (LSWA), licensed master’s social worker (LMSW), licensed social worker (LSW), Licensed social worker with a specialty of administration (LSW-ADM), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). A BSW meets the education requirement for LSWA licensure. For Oklahoma’s higher license levels (LMSW, LSW, LSW-ADM, and LCSW), you’ll need at least an MSW and, for some licenses, board-approved postgraduate supervision and experience. The license descriptions and requirements below are based on the Oklahoma Social Work Practice Act and the Oklahoma Administrative Code rules enforced by the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers (OSBLSW). 

An LSWA is licensed to provide basic generalist social work services, but may not practice independently or engage in the private practice of clinical social work. 

An LMSW is licensed for master’s-level social work practice in organized settings; no supervision is required for LMSW licensure (though LMSWs are not the license level for independent/private clinical practice). 

An LSW is a master’s-level license for nonclinical social work practice. To qualify, applicants must complete required post-degree supervised experience; LSWs may engage in independent (nonclinical) practice after completing applicable supervision requirements. 

Becoming an LSW-ADM recognizes advanced administrative social work practice. To earn the license, applicants must complete the required post-degree supervised administrative experience under an LSW-ADM supervisor. 

Becoming an LCSW allows you to practice clinical social work independently, including assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical interventions as defined in Oklahoma law. 

Information on the above social work salaries in Oklahoma was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Oklahoma in February 2026.

For those just starting on their path to social work, there are statewide scholarships and programs in place to assist you. While each state has different offerings, below are some grants and loans to help you become an LSWA, LMSW, LSW, LSW-ADM or LCSW in Oklahoma.

Awards/recognition (not scholarships):

There are many local and national associations and organizations with goals to promote, develop and protect the practice of social work and social workers. Better social work means better solutions for issues such as welfare, child welfare, elderly welfare, health care reform and other issues affecting disadvantaged people in Oklahoma and beyond.

Yes. Oklahoma offers licensure by reciprocity (often called endorsement) for social workers licensed in another jurisdiction. Applicants typically must hold an active license in good standing, meet Oklahoma’s education/qualification requirements for the license level sought, submit the Board’s application, provide official ASWB exam scores, and complete required documentation such as license verification. OSBLSW also lists costs associated with applying, including a $150 application fee and background check fees. 

Oklahoma social work licenses renew on a calendar-year cycle (January–December) and require annual renewal. For each license held, licensees must complete 16 clock hours of Board-approved continuing education earned during the prior renewal period, including at least 3 hours in ethics. If you hold two specialties, OSBLSW requires 22 hours per renewal period, including 3 ethics hours. 

Use the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers’ online Licensee Directory/Registry to verify your license. You can search by name (and, where available, other filters) to view your license number, current status, and other public licensure details. 

Information last updated February 2026.