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Become a Social Worker in Missouri
Start your social work career alongside the scenic Ozark National Riverway, the St. Louis Arch and a state-wide network of over 15,500 social workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
This guide for how to become a social worker in Missouri 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 Missouri, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others in the Show Me State.
Information below was retrieved November 2025 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
Common Steps to Become a Mossouri Social Worker
Before becoming a social worker in Missouri you must obtain a bachelor’s degree in social work and a social work license, depending on what career path you choose. Missouri offers four types of social work licenses, and there may also be additional requirements such as a background check and clinical supervision based on your goals. Below are the steps on how to obtain social work licenses in Missouri, which was summarized from the Missouri Committee for Social Workers.
To become a licensed social worker in Missouri, 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 Missouri through various formats, including full time, part time and online.
Missouri has four levels of social workers, according to the state’s licensing board, with increasing requirements:
Licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW): A person with an accredited bachelor’s degree in social work that has passed the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor’s exam.
Licensed master social worker (LMSW): A person with an accredited master’s degree in social work that has passed the ASWB master’s exam.
Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): A person with an accredited master’s or doctorate degree in social work that has passed the ASWB clinical exam. Those looking to attain this license must have also earned 3,000 hours of supervised social work experience.
Licensed advanced macro social worker (LAMSW): A person with an accredited master’s or doctorate degree in social work that has passed the ASWB advanced generalist exam. Those looking to attain this license must have also earned 3,000 hours of supervised macro social work experience.
Once you’ve completed your hours and experience, you may apply to become a licensed social worker in Missouri.
Learn more on how to become a social worker.
Social Work Degree Programs in Missouri
As of November 2025, there are 12 accredited BSW and MSW degree programs in Missouri. 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. There are 7 accredited BSW programs in Missouri.
In order to obtain higher-level licenses in Missouri, however, a minimum of an MSW is required. Some individuals further their education and experience in social work by pursuing Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degrees.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Missouri
MSW programs in Missouri 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 four fully accredited MSW programs in Missouri.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Parkville UniversityMaster of Social Work | Parkville, MO | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Saint Louis UniversityMaster of Social Work | St. Louis, MO | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of MissouriMaster of Social Work | Columbia, MO | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of Missouri in Kansas CityMaster of Social Work | — | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of Missouri-St. LouisMaster of Social Work | Saint Louis, MO | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Online MSW Programs in Missouri
Missouri offers fully accredited online MSW programs. The online MSW program offers the same curriculum and coursework as traditional on-campus Missouri programs. Students are taught by the same professors and also complete fieldwork as part of the program.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Missouri State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Springfield, MO | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of MissouriMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Columbia, MO | 2+ years | Part-Time |
Social Work Licenses in Missouri
Missouri has four types of licenses for social workers: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker (LAMSW). While you may practice entry-level social work under the title of “social worker” with a bachelor’s degree, the Missouri Committee requires an MSW or DSW to practice more specialized social work. All information on LBSW, LMSW, LCSW and LAMSW requirements below was retrieved from the Missouri Committee for Social Workers.
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) in Missouri
Becoming an LBSW allows you to practice general, non-clinical social work under the supervision of an advanced social worker.
- Education Requirement: Bachelor of Social Work Degree
- Field Requirements: None
- Exams: ASWB Bachelor’s Exam
- License Renewal: 30 hours of professional development in continuing education
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Missouri
Becoming an LMSW allows you to practice general, master’s-level social work independently.
- Education Requirement: Master or Doctor of Social Work Degree
- Field Requirements: None
- Exams: ASWB Master’s Exam
- License Renewal: 30 hours of professional development in continuing education
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Missouri
Becoming an LCSW allows you to practice both clinical and macro/administrative social work services without supervision after licensure.
- Education Requirement: Master or Doctor of Social Work Degree
- Field Requirements: 3,000 of supervised clinical social work
- Exams: ASWB Clinical Exam
- License Renewal: 30 hours of professional development in continuing education
Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker (LAMSW) in Missouri
Becoming an LAMSW allows you to practice both clinical and macro/administrative social work services without supervision after licensure.
- Education Requirement: Master or Doctor of Social Work Degree
- Field Requirements: 3,000 of supervised macro social work
- Exams: ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam
- License Renewal: 30 hours of professional development in continuing education
Social Work Salaries in Missouri
Missouri Social Work Career | Number of Social Workers in Missouri | Average Mean Social Worker Salary |
|---|---|---|
Child, Family and School Social Workers | 7,970 | $48,660 |
Healthcare Social Workers | 4,630 | $57,660 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 2,530 | $48,520 |
Social Workers, All Other | 1,120 | $69,060 |
Information on the above social work salaries in Missouri was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Missouri in November 2025.
Missouri 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. While each state has different offerings, below are some grants and loans to help you become an LBSW, LMSW, LCSW or LAMSW in the state of Missouri.
- Charles and Wilba Cowger Peace Scholarship
- Eleanor J. and John W. Watt Scholarship for Social Work
- Anita Bridges Cruzan Social Work Scholarship
Missouri 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 Missouri and beyond.
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Missouri Chapter: Over 1,400 members represent NASW throughout the state, living and working in rural, suburban and urban counties. This chapter works in a wide range of settings amongst diverse populations.
- School Social Workers Association of Missouri: Established in 1980, the School Social Workers Association of Missouri was started by volunteer school social workers who saw the need to advance, grow and strengthen the profession.
- Missouri Society for Clinical Social Work: This society provides quality continuing education and professional development for Clinical Social Workers in the St. Louis Area. The organization continues to grow with its membership to support the needs of clinical social workers through networking forums, events and advocacy.
FAQs
Missouri allows licensure by endorsement. Out-of-state applicants must have an equivalent social work license in another state, meet the educational prerequisites for the equivalent Missouri social work license, provide their official ASWB exam scores and pay application fees on the Missouri Committee for Social Workers site.
Information last updated: November 2025