Become a Social Worker in Georgia
In Georgia and beyond, social workers can have the satisfaction of making a difference in their communities by connecting clients with services, resources and other professionals to overcome challenges like intergenerational poverty, mental health conditions and domestic abuse.
So, it’s no wonder more than 14,000 professionals in Georgia already serve their communities as social workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2024.
Keep reading to learn about how to become a social worker in Georgia, Master of Social Work (MSW) programs in Georgia, different Georgia social work licenses, and more.
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
Common steps to Steps to Become a Georgia Social Worker
Before becoming a social worker in Georgia, you must obtain a master’s-level education in social work and a social work license, depending on what career path you choose. Georgia offers two types of social work license: LMSW and 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 Georgia, retrieved from the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists.
The information below was retrieved in November 2025 and is intended only as a high-level overview. Requirements may change; always check with the state licensing board for complete and up-to-date information.
To become a licensed master social worker (LMSW) in Georgia, you must:
- Complete an approved MSW degree program.
- Pass the master’s social work licensing examination.
- Submit your application to the board with a $110 fee.
To become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Georgia, you must:
- Complete an approved MSW degree program.
- Complete three years of full-time, supervised professional experience, the first two under the direction of an employer or supervisor.
- Pass the clinical social work licensing examination.
- Submit your application to the board with a $110 fee.
Learn more on how to become a social worker.
Social Work Degree Programs in Georgia
Across the United States, undergraduate and graduate social work degree programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. There are 11 CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs and seven Master of Social Work (MSW) programs.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Georgia
In Georgia, MSW programs may offer various concentration options, such as clinical or direct practice, children, youth, and families, or health and mental health.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Albany State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Albany, GA | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Clark Atlanta UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Atlanta, GA | 1+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Georgia State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Atlanta, GA | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Kennesaw State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Kennesaw, GA | 2 years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Savannah State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Savannah, GA | 2 years | — |
University of GeorgiaMaster of Social Work | Athens, GA | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Valdosta State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Valdosta, GA | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Online MSW Programs in Georgia
Online MSW programs offer the same curriculum and coursework as traditional on-campus programs. Students are taught by the same professors who teach on campus, and they complete fieldwork as part of the program.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Albany State UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Albany, GA | 1+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Capella UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Minneapolis, MN | N/A | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Georgia State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Atlanta, GA | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of GeorgiaMaster of Social Work | Athens, GA | 3 years | Full-Time |
Learn more about MSW Programs:
Social Work Licenses in Georgia
In Georgia, social work licenses are issued by the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists. The board issues two types of social work licenses: licensed master of social work and licensed clinical social worker.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Georgia
- Education Requirement: Approved Master of Social Work degree.
- Field Requirements: None.
- Exam: Master’s social work licensing exam.
- License Renewal: 35 hours of continuing education, with a minimum of five related to social work ethics.
Learn more about a LMSW License.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Georgia
- Education Requirement: Approved Master of Social Work degree.
- Field Requirements: Three years of full-time supervised professional experience, with the first two years under the direction of an employer or supervisor.
- Exam: Clinical social work licensing exam.
- License Renewal: 35 hours of continuing education with a minimum of five related to social work ethics.
Social Work Salaries for Georgia
Georgia Social Work Careers | Number of Social Workers in Georgia | Annual Mean Social Work Salary |
|---|---|---|
Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 5,980 | $56,970 |
Healthcare Social Workers | 6,780 | $65,040 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 1,450 | $54,000 |
Social Workers, All Other | 1,180 | $87,770 |
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | 120 | $72,600 |
Information on the above social work salaries in Georgia was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Georgia in November 2025.
Learn more about different social work salaries.
Georgia Social Work Scholarships
The University of Georgia (UGA) offers scholarships to its School of Social Work students. BSW, MSW and MSW dual degree students are eligible to apply, but preference is given to those without any other university-sponsored financial assistance. UGA offers scholarships for social work specialties, including those focused on working with homeless populations or on family-centered social work practice.
There are many other social work scholarships you may be eligible for.
Georgia Social Work Organizations
In Georgia, there are a variety of state and local social work organizations, including:
- Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work: Established in 1980, this statewide organization for professional social workers focuses on advancing clinical social work practice.
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Georgia Chapter: The Georgia chapter of the NASW promotes the interests of GA social workers in all settings by providing continuing education opportunities, professional growth, networking and more.
- School Social Workers Association (SSWA) of Georgia: The SSWA of Georgia supports school social workers in removing barriers to learning by seeking to improve the quality of service to students.
FAQs
No, Georgia does not have licensure by reciprocity or endorsement, as per the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists.
Information last updated: November 2025