SocialWorkLicenseMap.com is owned by 2U, LLC, parent company of edX. Our goal is to help learners make confident, informed decisions about their education and career. Some programs shown here are offered by universities that partner with 2U, for which 2U provides marketing and operational support and receives compensation. Other programs shown may be paid advertisements from third parties. Both types of programs are identified with the word AD or Advertisement. We aim to keep information current and accurate. Learn more about edX and our partners.
Become a Social Worker in Connecticut
Connecticut has a statewide network of about 9,250 social workers, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 estimates. Nationally, the BLS projects social worker employment to grow about 6% from 2024 to 2034 (faster than average), reflecting continued demand across healthcare, schools, and behavioral health settings.
This guide to becoming a social worker in Connecticut outlines educational requirements, licensing, social work organizations to join, and more. Once you complete the steps to become a social worker in Connecticut, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others in the Constitution State.
Information below was retrieved January 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.
University of Denver • Denver, CO
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
54-81 graduate-level credits
Concentrations
Mental Health and Trauma, Health, Equity and Wellness
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission
- Minimum undergraduate GPA is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Career goals statement
Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 24 months
Credits
36-60
Concentrations
Advanced Integrated Practice, Advanced Clinical Practice
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Essays
- Prerequisite coursework
- Letters of recommendation
Simmons University • Boston, MA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Accelerated and Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 9 months
Credits
37-65
Concentrations
Mental Health Practice Optional Certificate, Trauma Practice Optional Certificate, Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families
Admission Requirements
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Recommendation forms
- Statement of professional and educational intent
Howard University • Washington, DC
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
45+
Concentrations
Direct Practice, Community, Administration and Policy (CAP) Practice
Admission Requirements
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- College transcripts
- A personal statement
- An application essay
- A resume
- Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution, award within four years of first term start date
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all social work foundation and undergraduate coursework
Hawaii Pacific University • Honolulu, HI
Master of Social Work
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
12-36 months
Credits
30-57
Concentrations
Military and Veterans Affairs, Child or Adult Protective Services, Health Care, Mental Health, Individual and Families, Social Agency Administration
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 30 credits in Liberal Arts from an accredited four-year institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, but applicants below that will be considered for provisional admission
- Completed courses in Statistics and Research Methods
- Applicants must have completed each course with a grade of a "C" or higher
- Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program within the past five years
- Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale in social work courses
- Online application
Before pursuing licensure in Connecticut, it helps to know the state’s social work licenses are master’s-level. A BSW can prepare you for entry-level social services roles, but Connecticut licensure requires a CSWE-accredited MSW (and clinical licensure may also accept a doctorate). Connecticut’s Department of Public Health (DPH) regulates two main social work licenses: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). There may also be additional requirements, such as a background check and clinical supervision, based on your goals. Below are the steps to obtain both licenses in Connecticut, summarized from the Connecticut State Department of Public Health.
To become a licensed social worker in Connecticut, 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 Connecticut through various formats, including full time, part time and online.
Connecticut has two levels of social workers, according to the state’s licensing board, with increasing requirements:
Licensed master social worker (LMSW): A person with a CSWE-accredited MSW who meets Connecticut DPH’s exam requirements. DPH notes the ASWB Master’s exam requirement is suspended until January 1, 2026, and it is required for applicants who earned the MSW on or after January 1, 2026. A person with an accredited master’s degree in social work who has passed the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) master’s exam.
Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): A person with an accredited master’s or doctorate degree in social work who has passed the ASWB clinical exam. Those seeking this license must also have earned 3,000 hours of supervised social work experience.
Once you’ve completed your hours and experience, you may apply to become a licensed social worker in Connecticut.
Learn more on how to become a social worker.
Social Work Degree Programs in Connecticut
Connecticut has multiple CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs. According to the most recent program listings and school accreditation statements, the state has at least seven CSWE-accredited BSW programs and six CSWE-accredited MSW programs. With a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, you may qualify for an advanced standing MSW track, which can allow some students to finish in as little as one year (or about one to two years, depending on the program and course load).
- Central Connecticut State University
- Eastern Connecticut State University
- Sacred Heart University
- Southern Connecticut State University
- University of Connecticut
- University of Saint Joseph
- Western Connecticut State University
In order to obtain higher-level licenses in Connecticut, however, a minimum of an MSW is required. Some individuals further their education and experience in social work by pursuing a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Connecticut
MSW programs in Connecticut 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 multiple CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in Connecticut.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Quinnipiac UniversityMaster of Social Work | Hamden, CT | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Sacred Heart UniversityMaster of Social Work | Fairfield, CT | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Southern Connecticut State UniversityMaster of Social Work | New Haven, CT | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Southern Illinois State University EdwardsvilleMaster of Social Work | — | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of St. JosephMaster of Social Work | West Hartford, CT | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Online MSW Programs in Connecticut
Connecticut offers multiple CSWE-accredited MSW programs with online formats. Options include fully online programs (e.g., Sacred Heart University, the University of Connecticut, and Quinnipiac University) and online low-residency programs (e.g., Fairfield University).
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Sacred Heart UniversityMaster of Social Work | Fairfield, CT | 3.5+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Social Work Licenses in Connecticut
Connecticut’s Department of Public Health (DPH) issues two primary social work licenses: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). You may be able to work in entry-level social services roles with an associate degree or a BSW, but Connecticut social work licensure requires graduate-level education. Connecticut DPH requires a CSWE-accredited MSW for the LMSW license, and a CSWE-accredited master’s degree (or doctorate) plus supervised experience and the ASWB Clinical exam for LCSW licensure. The licensing details below are summarized from Connecticut DPH’s official social work licensure guidance.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Connecticut
Becoming an LMSW allows you to practice master-level social work as an advanced generalist social worker.
- Education Requirement: Master or Doctor of Social Work Degree
- Field Requirements: None
- Exams: ASWB Master’s exam is required for applicants who earned the MSW on or after January 1, 2026 (per Connecticut DPH).
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Connecticut
Becoming an LCSW allows you to practice clinical social work, including psychotherapy and mor,e without supervision after licensure.
- Education Requirement: Master or Doctor of Social Work Degree
- Field Requirements: 3,000 hours of post-master’s social work experience, including at least 100 hours of work under professional supervision by a licensed clinical or certified independent social worker.
- Exams: ASWB Clinical Exam
- License Renewal: 15 hours of continuing education during each 12-month registration period. At least 5 hours must be in-person or synchronous online (live interaction), and no more than 10 hours may be asynchronous/home study. Licensees must also complete at least 1 hour of cultural competency and at least 2 hours on veterans’ mental health each registration period, and at least once every 6 years (starting with the first renewal period in which CE is required). First-time renewals are exempt from CE.
Social Work Salaries in Connecticut
Connecticut Social Work Career | Number of Social Workers in Connecticut | Average Mean Social Worker Salary |
|---|---|---|
Child, Family and School Social Workers | 5,360 | $80,180 |
Healthcare Social Workers | 2,010 | $85,570 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 1,350 | $75,190 |
Social Workers, All Other | 530 | $71,560 |
Information on the above social work salaries in Connecticut was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Connecticut in January 2026.
Connecticut Social Work Scholarships
For those just starting on their path to social work, there are state-wide scholarships and programs in place to assist you. Below are a few scholarship and loan-repayment options that can help fund your social work education (BSW/MSW) and reduce student debt as you work toward Connecticut licensure. Availability and eligibility vary by program and year. Award amounts and eligibility criteria vary each cycle. For example, UConn School of Social Work scholarship listings have included awards ranging from $500 to $2,000 (amounts vary by scholarship and year).
Connecticut Social Work Organizations
There are countless 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 the disadvantaged populations in Connecticut and beyond.
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Connecticut Chapter: The mission of the NASW-CT Chapter is to advance, at the local and state level, the group’s priorities: advancing the quality of social work practice, promoting the strength, unity and recognition of the social work profession, advancing sound public policy and improving the effective functioning of NASW as a national organization.
- Greater Hartford Alliance of Black Social Workers (GHABSW), Connecticut Chapter: GHABSW is a locally based nonprofit that supports the mission of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) by providing a forum for Black social workers and related professionals to exchange ideas, offer services, and develop programs that support the Black community.
- CT Alliance of School Social Workers: A professional group focused on supporting and promoting school social work in Connecticut, including resources that help school social workers advocate for services in their districts.
FAQs
Connecticut does not offer automatic “reciprocity,” but it does allow licensure by endorsement for out-of-state social workers. To qualify, you must apply through the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) for the equivalent credential (LMSW or LCSW) and submit required documentation, typically including verification of your current/previous licenses, an official transcript from a CSWE-accredited program, and ASWB exam verification when applicable. Connecticut DPH also notes that there is no initial application fee for social work licensure.
Information last updated: January 2026