Start your social work career with the grasslands of the Great Plains, the legendary Ferris Wheel on the Oklahoma River, and a statewide network of more than 9,900 social workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

This guide for how to become a social worker in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others in the Sooner State.

Information below was retrieved May 2022 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.

Sponsored Online Social Work Programs

University of Denver

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The University of Denver’s Online MSW Program is delivered by its top-ranked school of social work and offers two programs. Students can earn their degree in as few as 12 months for the Online Advanced-Standing MSW or 27 months for the Online MSW.

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Syracuse University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Syracuse University’s online Master of Social Work program does not require GRE scores to apply and is focused on preparing social workers who embrace technology as an important part of the future of the profession. Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks are available.

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Simmons University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Aspiring direct practitioners can earn their MSW online from Simmons University in as few as 9 months. GRE scores are not required, and the program offers full-time, part-time, accelerated, and advanced standing tracks.

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Howard University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The online Master of Social Work program from Howard University School of Social Work prepares students for advanced direct or macro practice in culturally diverse communities. Two concentrations available: Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice. No GRE. Complete in as few as 12 months.

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Hawaii Pacific University

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Master of Social Work

The online Master of Social Work prepares aspiring social work leaders to develop a multicultural social work practice, advocate for social and economic justice, and empower diverse communities affected by systemic inequities within civilian and military-focused areas. 

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Common Steps to Become an Oklahoma Social Worker

Before becoming a social worker in Oklahoma, you must obtain a bachelor’s degree in social work and a social work license, depending on what career path you choose. Oklahoma offers five types of social work licenses. 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 licenses in Oklahoma, summarized from the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Social Workers.

1. Earn a CSWE-Accredited Social Work Degree

To become a licensed social worker in Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma through full-time, part-time and online formats. 

2. Fulfill your social work supervised experience requirement and pass your national/state exams

Oklahoma has five levels of social workers, according to the state’s licensing board, with increasing requirements:

Licensed social work associate (LSWA): 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, LSWAs can provide basic non-clinical social work services.

Licensed master’s social worker (LMSW): Someone with an accredited master’s degree in social work who has passed the ASWB master’s exam. LMSWs can provide social work services under supervision.

Licensed social worker (LSW): A person with an accredited master’s or doctoral degree in social work who has passed the ASWB advanced generalist exam. Also required: 4,000 hours of supervised social work experience.

Licensed social worker with a specialty of administration (LSW-ADM): A person with an accredited master’s or doctoral degree in social work who has passed the ASWB advanced generalist exam and earned 4,000 hours of supervised social work experience. This is much like the LSW license, withadditional the additional requirement of knowledge of social work administration.

Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): A person with an accredited master’s or doctorate in social work who has passed the ASWB clinical exam and earned 4,000 hours of supervised social work experience. LCSWs may provide clinical social services independent of supervision.

3. Get Licensed

Once you’ve completed your hours and experience, you may apply to become a licensed social worker in Oklahoma. 
Learn more on how to become a social worker.

There are seven accredited BSW and MSW degree programs in Oklahoma. 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, and is the minimum requirement for licensure as an LSWA in Oklahoma. There are five universities offering CSWE-accredited BSW programs in Oklahoma:

To obtain other licenses in Oklahoma, a minimum of an MSW is required. Some individuals increase their education and experience in social work by pursuing Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degrees. 

MSW programs in Oklahoma 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 two fully accredited MSW programs in Oklahoma. 

There is one online MSW program in Oklahoma that is fully accredited. Online MSW programs offer the same curriculum and coursework as traditional on-campus Oklahoma programs. Students are taught by the same professors and also complete fieldwork as part of the program. 

Oklahoma has five types of licenses for social workers: licensed social work associate (LSWA), licensed master’s social worker (LMSW), licensed social worker (LSW), lLicensed social worker with a specialty of administration (LSW-ADM), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). While you may practice entry-level social work with a BSW, the Oklahoma Board requires an MSW or DSW to practice more specialized social work. All information on LSWA, LMSW, LSW, LSW-ADM and LCSW below was retrieved from the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Social Workers.

Becoming an LSWA enables you to practice basic generalist social work services under the supervision of a licensed social worker.

Becoming an LMSW enables you to practice graduate-level, non-clinical social work under the supervision of an LCSW.

Becoming an LSW enables you to practice non-clinical social work services without supervision after licensure.

Becoming an LSW-ADM enables you to practice administratively focused, non-clinical social work services without supervision after licensure.

Becoming an LCSW enables you to practice clinical social work services independently including diagnosis, counseling and psychotherapy.

Information on the above social work salaries in Oklahoma was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Oklahoma in May 2022.

For those just starting on their path to social work, there are statewide 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 LSWA, LMSW, LSW, LSW-ADM or LCSW in Oklahoma.

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 disadvantaged people in Oklahoma and beyond.

Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma social work license, provide their official ASWB exam scores, and pay an application fee on the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers site.

Social workers must renew their license every year. Licensees must earn 16 hours of continuing education, including three hours in social work ethics. 

Search for your social work license at the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers site. Search by your name to find your license number, license status and your professional information.

Last updated May 2022.