To become a social worker in Delaware you must obtain your license to practice from the Delaware Board of Social Work Examiners. The board licenses three different types of social workers, which have their own requirements for education, examination, experience and other criteria. Across these three licenses, there are an estimated 2,310 social workers in Delaware, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Read on to learn more about the steps to become a social worker in Delaware, master of social work degree programs available in Delaware, Delaware social work licenses and more.

Information below was retrieved May 2022 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

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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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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Fordham University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Fordham’s skills-based, online MSW program integrates advanced relevant social work competencies, preparing students to serve individuals and communities while moving the profession forward. This program includes advanced standing and traditional MSW options.

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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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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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Common Steps to Become a Delaware Social Worker

Before becoming a social worker in Delaware, you must obtain a bachelor’s degree in social work online or on-campus and a social work license depending on what career path you choose. The board offers three licenses. There may also be additional requirements such as a background check and clinical supervision, based on your goals. The steps to become a Delaware social worker are outlined below, summarized by the Delaware Board of Social Work Examiners.

1. Earn a CSWE-accredited social work degree

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

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

Delaware has three levels of social worker, according to the state’s licensing board, with increasing requirements:

Licensed bachelor social worker (LBSW): A person with an accredited bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field who has passed the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor’s exam. Those looking to pursue this license must also complete at least one year of professional experience.

Licensed master social worker (LMSW): A person with an accredited master’s degree in social work or a related field who has passed the ASWB master’s exam. Those looking to pursue this license must also complete at least two years of professional experience.

Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): A person with an accredited master’s or doctoral degree in social work or a related field who has passed the ASWB clinical exam. Those looking to pursue this license must also complete at least 3,200 hours of supervised clinical experience.

3. Get licensed

Once you’ve completed your hours and experience, you may apply to become a licensed social worker in Delaware. 
Learn more about how to become a social worker.

Social work degree programs in the United States are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). In Delaware, CSWE has accredited one bachelor’s-level social work degree program and one master’s-level program. The university offering a fully accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is Delaware State University, as it offers the only CSWE-accredited social work degree programs in the state.

In Delaware, Master of Social Work programs offer concentration options, such as advanced generalist.

In Delaware, online Master of Social Work programs offer concentrations, such as advanced generalist, and other options, such as full-time or part-time study.

Learn more about advanced standing online Master of Social Work programs, online MSW programs for aspiring clinical social workers and online master’s in social work programs. 

In Delaware, social work licenses are issued by the Delaware Board of Social Work Examiners. The board issues three types of social work licenses: licensed bachelor social workers, licensed master social workers and licensed clinical social workers.

Learn more about online clinical MSW programs.

Information on the above social work salaries in Delaware was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates – Delaware in April 2022.

Learn more about social work salaries.

In Delaware, there are a variety of state-level and local social work scholarships available, including: 

Learn more about social work scholarships.

In Delaware, there are a variety of state-level and local social work organizations, including:

Does Delaware have social work reciprocity?

Delaware does have licensure by reciprocity, which allows social workers to apply for a license in Delaware based on their active license in another state, as per the Delaware Board of Social Work Examiners.

What are the social work continuing education (CE) requirements in Delaware?

In Delaware, the social work continuing education requirements differ according to licensure: 20 hours of CE for licensed bachelor social workers; 30 hours for licensed master social workers; and 40 hours for licensed clinical social workers, as per the Delaware Board of Social Work Examiners. Regardless of license, at least six hours of CE must be in professional ethics and one hour in mandatory reporting.

Learn more about continuing education for social workers.

What is the best way to look up my social work license in Delaware?

In Delaware, social work license verification can be obtained through the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation. Users must enter their last name, first name, city, state, profession, type and license/approval number.

Last updated May 2022.