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Become a Social Worker in New Jersey
According to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), community and social service occupations accounted for 1.9% of employment in the New York–Newark–Jersey City metro area in May 2024 (vs. 1.7% nationally), and the area’s mean hourly wage for this major group was $35.26 (vs. $30.31 nationally).
If you want to learn how to become a social worker in New Jersey, this guide outlines education and licensing requirements as well as options for social work programs and New Jersey social work organizations to join. First, review the steps required to become a social worker in New Jersey.
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 New Jersey Social Worker
The journey to becoming a social worker in New Jersey starts with education. Entry-level social work positions are available, but to advance in NJ, there are additional educational and exam requirements. The information below was retrieved from the New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners.
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.
All social work education requirements in NJ should be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). To become a certified social worker (CSW) in NJ, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is required for application. To become a licensed social worker (LSW) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is required. You will be required to complete clinical hours or an internship experience as part of your accredited social work degree program. Only LCSW licensure requires post-MSW supervised clinical experience; CSW and LSW do not require post-degree hours, though your BSW/MSW program will include field education.
Before applying to the state of NJ for licensure as an LSW or LCSW in New Jersey, social workers are required to submit passing scores on exams from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) for either the master’s exam for LSW licensure or clinical exam for LCSW licensure.
According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) New Jersey Chapter, to apply for a LCSW license in NJ, social workers must be able to provide documentation for 3,000 hours in 2–4 years, including at least 1,920 hours of face-to-face client contact, with half of those in psychotherapeutic counseling. These hours must have been completed under the supervision of an appropriate and approved supervisor. In most cases, NJ social workers are licensed as LSWs while earning these hours.
Unless you have applied for the CSW license after submitting proof of your completed BSW degree, you likely have completed and passed the appropriate ASWB exam for the LSW and LCSW license requirements and completed clinical hours for the LCSW application. Once your education, exam and hours are complete, you may submit your application to the State Board of Social Work Examiners. New Jersey also requires applicants to submit a signed consent acknowledging the Board will conduct a criminal history background check as part of the credentialing process.
Social Work Degree Programs in New Jersey
Your path to a social work education in New Jersey can look a little different depending on your starting point and your long-term licensing goals.
Some students begin with an associate degree to complete general education or foundational human services coursework before transferring into a bachelor’s program. For example, Thomas Edison State University offers an Associate in Arts (A.A.) in Human Services, which is designed as a foundation for work in human services fields.
New Jersey has multiple CSWE-accredited (and candidate) social work programs at both the BSW and MSW levels. Because program status can change, the most reliable way to confirm current options is to check CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs.
A BSW typically covers generalist social work practice and includes required field education. An MSW program builds advanced skills and often allows students to select a concentration; it also includes supervised field placements/practicum.
Choosing your degree level depends on what you plan to do after graduation. In New Jersey, the CSW credential is commonly associated with BSW-level preparation, while LSW and LCSW require MSW-level education.New Jersey also offers doctoral-level study. Rutgers University, for example, has a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program. CSWE has also moved beyond a pilot and began accrediting practice doctorate programs in 2025, though not every DSW program is CSWE-accredited, so it’s smart to verify any doctoral program’s current status in the CSWE directory.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs
There are several MSW programs in New Jersey that are accredited by the CSWE or are currently in candidacy for accreditation. Most programs offer both full-time and part-time options. All offer advanced standing MSW programs, which means if a student already has a BSW, they can apply that coursework towards the MSW program and accelerate their program. The following are all fully CSWE-accredited MSW programs in New Jersey:
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Kean UniversityMaster of Social Work | Union, NJ | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Monmouth UniversityMaster of Social Work | West Long Branch, NJ | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Montclair State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Montclair, NJ | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Ramapo CollegeMaster of Social Work | Mahwah, NJ | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Rutgers UniversityMaster's of Social Work (MSW) | New Brunswick, NJ | 3 years | Part-Time |
Seton Hall UniversityMaster of Social Work | South Orange, NJ | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Stockton UniversityMaster of Social Work | Galloway, NJ | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Online MSW Programs New Jersey
Several New Jersey universities offer MSW coursework in an online format. For example, Rutgers School of Social Work has a 100% online MSW that can typically be completed in two years (full-time) or three years (part-time), and an advanced standing option that can be completed in four semesters. Kean University also offers an online MSW option alongside its on-campus pathways.
In addition, Fairleigh Dickinson University offers a Master of Social Work (Online) with both traditional and advanced-standing tracks, including in-person practicum/field placement requirements.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Kean UniversityMaster of Social Work | Union, NJ | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Rutgers UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | New Brunswick, NJ | 1+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
You may also consider online programs outside of the state, such as other online clinical social work programs or an online MSW program with no GRE requirement. Be sure to review your ideal university program’s requirements for residency.
Social Work Licenses in New Jersey
New Jersey’s State Board of Social Work Examiners issues three social work credentials: Certified Social Worker (CSW), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). In general, the Board certifies social workers at the bachelor’s level (CSW) and licenses social workers at the master’s level (LSW and LCSW).
Each credential aligns with a different scope of practice and set of responsibilities. The information below is based on the New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC), Title 13, Chapter 44G, which governs the State Board of Social Work Examiners.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey
Becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey allows you to provide clinical social work services, which may include clinical assessment/diagnosis, psychotherapeutic counseling, clinical consultation, and clinical supervision, as defined in the New Jersey Administrative Code.
- Education Requirements: Earn a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited (or CSWE-candidacy) program, or a doctorate in social work from an accredited institution of higher education. You must also show completion of 12 graduate semester hours in methods of clinical social work practice (excluding field placement), in content areas such as diagnosis/assessment, psychotherapy models/clinical practice, clinical supervision/consultation, and/or intervention with special populations.
- Field Requirements: Complete two years of full-time clinical social work, defined as 3,000 hours under direct supervision. These hours must be completed within 2 to 4 years and must include at least 1,920 hours of face-to-face client contact, with half of those hours in psychotherapeutic counseling.
- Exam: Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam
- License Renewal: Licenses are issued for a two-year (biennial) period.
Learn more about how to become an LCSW.
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in New Jersey
A licensed social worker (LSW) in New Jersey can provide all the social work services a CSW can perform, as well as clinical social work services when supervised by an LCSW.
- Education Requirements: MSW or doctorate in social work from a program accredited by the CSWE or in candidacy for accreditation by the CSWE
- Field Requirements: None
- Exam: ASWB master’s level exam
- License Renewal: Every two years
Certified Social Worker (CSW) in New Jersey
A certified social worker (CSW) in New Jersey can provide social work services including assessment, administration, client-centered advocacy, consultation and counseling, planning and community organization, research and policy.
- Education Requirements: A BSW from a CSWE-accredited (or candidacy) program is a standard path, but NJ’s CSW eligibility also includes an alternative route for certain pre–April 6, 1995 bachelor’s degrees plus an experience affidavit.
- Field Requirements: None
- Exam: None
- Certification Renewal: Every two years
Social Work Salaries for New Jersey
The average social worker salary in New Jersey depends on factors like experience, work setting and title. Data from this table was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in January 2026.
New Jersey Social Work Careers | Number of Social Workers in New Jersey | Annual Mean Social Work Salary |
|---|---|---|
Child, Family and School Social Workers | 6,410 | $79,610 |
Healthcare Social Workers | 4,390 | $87,110 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 3,140 | $72,450 |
Social Workers, All Other | 840 | $72,990 |
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | 380 | $83,240 |
Information on the above social work salaries in New Jersey was retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates New Jersey in January 2026
Learn more about different social work salaries.
New Jersey Social Work Scholarships
If you’re interested in attending social work school in New Jersey, there are social work scholarships in New Jersey that can help you pay for school.
- Monmouth University School of Social Work Scholarships: Monmouth University lists several scholarships and endowed scholarships available for students pursuing a degree in social work.
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW) NJ Student Center: A hub for student-focused resources and engagement opportunities. For scholarship and fellowship options, students can also explore the NASW Foundation’s national scholarship, fellowship, and award programs and confirm eligibility requirements and deadlines.
- Ramapo College of New Jersey Scholarship Opportunities: Ramapo provides scholarship information and application resources through its general scholarships pages and scholarship application portal. Students interested in the MSW pathway should review Ramapo’s scholarship resources and also look for external/national social work scholarships that may apply to graduate study.
You may also check with your preferred university or for more scholarship opportunities through the NJ.gov Grants, Financial Aid and Scholarships listings.
New Jersey Social Work Organizations
Social work organizations in New Jersey provide networking opportunities, job leads and resources for future and current social workers in New Jersey. Connect with a relevant chapter to meet other New Jersey social workers and stay up to date with the latest news and developments in the field.
- NASW, New Jersey Chapter: The National Association of Social Workers, New Jersey chapter provides resources for current and future social workers via professional development, advocacy, continuing education offerings and more.
- New Jersey Society for Clinical Social Work (NJSCSW): NJSCSW also provides opportunities for professional development via continuing education, conferences, legislative initiatives and advocacy for the field of clinical social work.
- New Jersey Association of School Social Workers (NJASSW): The NJ Association of School Social Workers provides information on certification in the state, professional events and resources, as well as news and updates regarding the field and education.
FAQs
New Jersey does not have broad “license reciprocity” agreements, but it does allow licensure by endorsement for applicants who are already licensed/registered in another U.S. jurisdiction. If the other jurisdiction’s requirements are substantially similar and you’ve passed a comparable exam, you may be eligible for an exam exemption, but you still must apply to the New Jersey Board and meet New Jersey’s requirements.
Information last updated: January 2026