Home / Social Work Licensure / LGSW – Licensed Graduate Social Worker Guide
Do you love helping others? Can you show empathy when others are in challenging situations? If the answer is yes, then a career in social work may be a fit for you. But becoming a licensed social worker takes effort, especially when it comes to seeking licensure from your state.
Some states different types or titles of licenses. A licensed graduate social worker, or LGSW, is one such title, offered by a few states across the country. This path may be a fit for social workers who want to perform non-clinical social work in a wide variety of settings or supervised clinical social work.
On this page, we’ll discuss some key points to know when it comes to obtaining an LGSW license and how it may lead to a fulfilling career.
Before committing to an LGSW license, you should understand where these types of licenses are offered. Not every jurisdiction in the country offers this level of licensure under this name—but a few do. Here’s a list, as of September 2020:
For these states, the title of LGSW may be used in place of other graduate level licenses; be sure to check with your state’s board for more information:
Obtaining an LGSW license may be a way to start your career in social work within the states above. Because it requires a Master of Social Work (MSW), an LGSW may provide opportunities to work with individuals and communities directly.
In turn, this allows social workers to perform all the duties within the scope of practice of a licensed social worker and provisional social worker. LGSWs in West Virginia can also formally teach social work theory and methodology to bachelor’s and master’s level students, or conduct clinical or psychotherapeutic work—though that must normally be done under the supervision of another experienced and credentialed behavioral health professional.
However, before you obtain an LGSW license, you should be aware of what the process calls for. Because this credential requires a graduate degree, you’ll need to invest significant time, effort, and money into your education beyond your undergraduate courses. Some states also require you to take a specialized LGSW examination, as well as undergo a criminal record check.
License requirements vary by states. Be sure to check with your state’s social work board for more information. With an exam and deadlines to meet, becoming an LGSW might be tough. Here’s a simplified guide to help you understand the process.
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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.
Fordham’s skills-based, online MSW program integrates advanced relevant social work competencies, preparing students to serve individuals and communities while moving the profession forward. This program includes advanced standing and traditional MSW options.
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.
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.
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.
In as few as a year and a half, you can prepare for social work leadership by earning your Master of Social Work online from Case Western Reserve University’s school of social work.
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From the study involved to the skills needed, there are plenty of factors to consider before obtaining an LGSW license.
Candidates for LGSW licenses can expect to gain a robust understanding of social work in all its forms. A master’s in social work program will introduce them to the principles of the field, teach them about addiction and mental illness, and help them prepare for more advanced study.
If you hold a bachelor’s in social work, you may have the option of completing a master’s faster by way of an advanced standing MSW, which requires fewer credits than the traditional MSW.
LGSW candidates normally have to complete a period of supervised work experience according to the Minnesota Board of Social Work, West Virginia Board of Social Work, and DC Health, in order to pursue your next level of license. The specifics vary by state, but some require newly qualified LGSWs to shadow independent social workers for the equivalent of two years of full-time practice. In clinical settings, LGSWs have to be permanently supervised until they’ve gained a license for independent work.
In obtaining the LGSW license, you can build on a range of marketable skills. This starts with your education and extends into field experience. Some skills revolve around developing character, empathy, patience, and critical thinking. By focusing on clinical social work, you’ll gain expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness and other behavioral issues. You may also specialize in certain types of therapy, including group and family therapy.
Becoming a social worker with an LGSW license may lead to careers across social services and health care. Here are a few of the social worker careers you may qualify for with an LGSW:
Though it doesn’t have pay data for LGSWs, and exact figures vary by job and location, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that social workers earned a median salary of $51,760 in 2020. Because LGSWs are trained to work in clinical settings, their salaries may be higher than that of general social workers. Having said that, your social work salary will depend on your location and your position, so be sure to research before committing. The BLS also reports that the projected job growth for social workers is 13% between 2019 and 2029, much faster than the national average.
State licensure applications for LGSWs are likely to require a fee. The price varies by jurisdiction, but an application typically costs between $100 and $250. It’s also important to note that once you receive your social work license, you’ll then have to renew it regularly, typically every two years. That involves a fee too. The exact price depends on where you’re licensed. Renewal fees can increase if you submit your application late.
Conditions for renewing your license may vary, but you’ll usually have to prove that you’re continuing your education as a social worker and submit supervised practice verification forms. Requirements will vary by state, be sure to check with the state you are practicing in for more specific information.
Understanding LGSWs and how they work may take you some time as there are other licensed social workers whose scope of practice overlaps with LGSWs. Here are some answers to questions aspiring license-holders may have:
An acronym for licensed graduate social worker, an LGSW is a license for Master of Social Work graduates. It allows social workers in Minnesota, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. to work in a wider range of clinical and non-clinical settings than general or baccalaureate-level social workers.
How long it takes to become an LGSW depends on your individual path. An undergraduate degree in social work or a related field lasts around four years, while a full-time master’s typically takes another two. From there, you can apply for the LGSW license—though some accelerated courses may allow you to study faster.
Unlike LGSWs, licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) practice independently and provide clinical social services to their clients, including diagnoses, treatment planning and psychotherapy. Conversely, LGSWs work across a range of clinical and non-clinical settings.
Information on this page was retrieved in September 2020.
