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Become a Social Worker in Nevada
Start your social work career with the glitz of Las Vegas, the trails and wildlife of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and a statewide network of over 7,800 social workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nevada is also the second top paying state for all other social workers (excluding those in healthcare, mental health, and substance abuse, and in child, family, and school specializations).
This guide to becoming a social worker in Nevada outlines educational requirements, licensing, social work organizations to join, and more. Once you complete the steps to become a social worker in Nevada, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others in the Silver 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
Common Steps to Become a Nevada Social Worker
Before becoming a social worker in Nevada, you must earn a CSWE-accredited BSW or MSW and obtain the license level that matches your career path. Nevada offers four primary social work license levels: LSW, LMSW, LISW, and LCSW. Below are the steps for obtaining each type of license in Nevada, summarized from the Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers.
To become a licensed social worker in Nevada, you will have to complete a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). You can pursue these degrees in Nevada through various formats, including full time, part time and online.
Nevada has three levels of social workers, according to the state’s licensing board, with increasing requirements:
Licensed social worker (LSW): 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, LSWs in Nevada can provide basic non-clinical social work services.
Licensed independent social worker (LISW): MSW required; pass the ASWB Master’s exam and ASWB Advanced Generalist exam, and complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised internship.Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): MSW (or doctoral degree) required; pass the ASWB Master’s exam and ASWB Clinical exam, and complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised internship.
Once you’ve completed your hours and experience, you may apply to become a licensed social worker in Nevada.
Learn more on how to become a social worker.
Social Work Degree Programs in Nevada
Nevada’s CSWE-accredited social work degrees are offered through two universities, UNLV and UNR, each with an accredited BSW and MSW program. A bachelor’s degree in social work online or on-campus will allow you to enter an advanced standing MSW program, which can be completed in about one year. A BSW also prepares students for entry-level social work positions. There are two universities offering CSWE-accredited BSW programs in Nevada:
In order to obtain higher level licenses in Nevada, 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 Nevada
MSW programs in Nevada 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. Nevada has two CSWE-accredited MSW programs, offered through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). UNR also offers a fully online MSW option through the same accredited program.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
University of Nevada, RenoMaster of Social Work | — | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Online MSW Programs in Nevada
Nevada currently has one fully online, CSWE-accredited MSW option, offered by the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). UNR’s online MSW is delivered online while maintaining the program’s core curriculum expectations, and courses are taught by University of Nevada, Reno faculty. Students also complete required field education/field placement as part of the degree.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
University of Nevada, RenoMaster of Social Work | — | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Social Work Licenses in Nevada
Nevada has four types of licenses for social workers: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Nevada also recognizes a Licensed Associate in Social Work (LASW) (a separate license category under agency supervision). In Nevada, you must be licensed to represent yourself as a social worker and to practice social work. Nevada’s advanced practice licenses (LISW and LCSW) require an MSW, a Board-approved post-graduate internship, and the required ASWB exams. All information below on LSW, LMSW, LISW and LCSW credentials was retrieved from the Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers.
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Nevada
Becoming an LSW allows you to practice general, non-clinical social work as part of an agency or organization.
- Education Requirement: Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program
- Field Requirements: No post-graduate internship hours required
- Exams: ASWB Bachelor’s exam
- License Renewal: Renew annually (birth month). On your CEU collection cycle renewal, you’ll upload your CE documentation. Continuing education (CE): Complete 30 CE hours every 2 years, including 2 hours in suicide prevention and awareness, 6 hours in cultural diversity/equity/inclusion, 4 hours in ethics, and 10 hours in your field of practice (remaining hours flexible).
Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) in Nevada
Becoming an LISW allows you to practice more advanced non-clinical social work and practice independently.
- Education Requirement: MSW (CSWE-accredited). To enter a post-graduate internship, you must have an MSW and a current Nevada LMSW.
- Field Requirements: Complete a Board-approved post-graduate independent internship (LISW track) totaling 3,000 hours of supervised post-graduate experience and 104 hours of supervision (completed over at least 24 months).
- Exams: ASWB Master’s exam and ASWB Advanced Generalist exam
- License Renewal & CE: Renew annually; complete 36 CE hours every 2 years, including required topic areas (suicide prevention, cultural diversity/equity/inclusion, ethics, and field-of-practice hours).
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Nevada
Becoming an LCSW allows you to practice clinical and non-clinical social work services independently after licensure.
- Education Requirement: MSW (CSWE-accredited). To pursue LCSW through the post-graduate internship pathway, you must be licensed in Nevada as an LMSW and have passed the ASWB Master’s exam.
- Field Requirements: Complete a Board-approved post-graduate internship with 3,000 total hours completed over at least 24 months, including a minimum of 2,000 clinical hours, 1,000 non-clinical hours, and 104 supervision hours.
- Exams: ASWB Master’s exam (required to enter internship) and ASWB Clinical exam (required for LCSW licensure).
- Renewal & CE: Renew annually (birth month). Complete 36 CE hours every 2 years, including required topic areas (suicide prevention, cultural diversity/equality/inclusion, ethics, and field-of-practice hours).
Note: Nevada also recognizes the Licensed Associate in Social Work (LASW) as a legacy license category, but it is not available for new applicants.
Social Work Salaries in Nevada
Nevada Social Work Career | Number of Social Workers in Nevada | Average Mean Social Worker Salary |
|---|---|---|
Child, Family and School Social Workers | 3,730 | $62,900 |
Healthcare Social Workers | 1,070 | $77,420 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 1,140 | $55,490 |
Social Workers, All Other | 470 | $104,180 |
Information on the above social work salaries in Nevada was retrieved from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Nevada in January 2026.
Nevada Social Work Scholarships
Nevada students can find social work funding through a mix of university-based scholarships (for admitted social work students) and loan repayment programs for licensed clinicians who work in underserved communities. Availability, award amounts, and deadlines can change year to year, so always confirm details on the official program page before applying.
- Nevada Health Service Corps (Loan Repayment Program): A state loan repayment program administered through UNR Med to support eligible health professionals who commit to serving in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). This option is typically applicable after licensure, once you are working at an eligible site.
- Heather Morsberger Memorial Scholarship: A scholarship established through the University of Nevada, Reno School of Social Work for undergraduate or graduate social work students who meet eligibility requirements such as GPA and financial need.
- John and Louise Semenza Family Scholarship: A UNR scholarship fund that supports students pursuing eligible programs, including social work, based on the scholarship’s criteria. (UNR AcademicWorks)
Nevada Social Work Organizations
Nevada social workers and students can connect with professional associations and campus-based groups for continuing education, licensure updates, advocacy, networking, and job resources. Better social work means better solutions for welfare, child welfare, elderly welfare, healthcare reform and other issues affecting the disadvantaged populations in Nevada and beyond.
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Nevada Chapter: The NASW Nevada Chapter provides professional development resources, trainings, and policy/advocacy updates relevant to social workers in the state.
- Social Work Associated Graduates: A graduate student organization at the University of Nevada, Reno that supports MSW students through community engagement and professional development.
- The Nevada Counseling Association: A professional association for counselors in Nevada. This may be helpful for social workers who collaborate with counselors in behavioral health or integrated care settings.
FAQs
Nevada doesn’t offer automatic reciprocity, but it does allow licensure by endorsement for out-of-state social workers who hold an equivalent active license, meet Nevada’s education requirements, submit required verifications (including ASWB scores if applicable), and pay the applicable fee.
Information last updated: January 2026