Social Work Licensure Programs

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SOCIAL WORK BSW

If you are in a program that you believe leads to licensure but you do not see it listed, please fill out the  Potential Professional Licensure/Certification Program Reporting Form by clicking on button below:

Potential Professional Licensure/Certification Program Reporting Form

STUDENT ROLE IN PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE

Students should read all the information regarding the program in which they are interested/are about to enroll to determine if the program leads to licensure in the location that the student is located at the time the student enrolls (i.e., during the first initial semester at the time at which they pay for courses) to verify that the program leads to licensure.  If you have questions regarding licensure, contact the program coordinator listed on the program page and contact the state licensing board, using the licensing information contained on the program licensure page.  Keep in mind licensure approval depends on the rules and regulations in effect at the time of your licensure application.  Said rules and regulations are overseen by the professional licensing board who oversees the profession. 

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE DISCLOSURE

LICENSING DISCLOSURE INFORMATION

For all programs marketed or designed as leading to licensure or certification, the following federal regulations must be complied with by institutions of higher education:

For Online Programs

34 CFR 668.14(b)(32)

All programs that lead to licensure/certification must meet the educational requirements in each state and protectorate in which any of their students are located at the time of initial enrollment or in the state in which a student attests they intend to seek employment.  Students cannot be enrolled into programs if the educational requirements are not met unless they are moving to a state in which the requirements are met and execute an attestation confirming their future relocation. 

For Face-to-Face Programs

Regulation- 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v)

All programs that lead to licensure/certification must disclose whether the program meets, does not meet or if a determination cannot be made as to whether the program meets the educational requirements in each state and protectorate. 

Since the program is a face-to-face program, students can be admitted even if the state in which they previously resided is a state in which the program does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification. 

Determinations

Determinations made by our subject matter experts (program coordinators) are made based on state licensing board rules and regulations and/or reciprocity agreements.

For information on teaching reciprocity, please see the NASDTEC website- https://www.nasdtec.net/page/InterstateAgreements 

SCOPE OF PROGRAM ASSESSMENT

The information provided regarding USM programs represents an assessment of whether the educational program, if successfully completed, meets a state or protectorate’s educational requirements for licensure/certification. 
USM's analysis is limited to a determination as to whether their programs meet the educational requirements for licensure. 
Additional requirements may be required to obtain a license or state certification. For a list of potential additional requirements, see the Professional Licensure webpage- https://www.usm.edu/professional-licensure-certification-disclosures/index.php 

ROLE OF LICENSING/CERTIFICATION BOARD

Keep in mind that final eligibility determinations as to whether a program meets the educational requirements for licensure are made by the state/protectorate licensing/certification boards.  

 

TIMEFRAME OF DISCLOSURES

The disclosure data is current as of July 1 of each year (starting with 2024) unless the institution is apprised of a change which requires an update prior to the July 1st annual update. Federal Law requires that if an institution discovers that a program no longer leads to licensure or certification, the institution must notify the students (both enrolled and prospective) of the change directly (individual disclosure) as well as updating the webpage.

APPROPRIATE USE OF DISCLOSURE DATA

Review the information about the licensure program and then consider discussing the information with the program coordinator as well as the state licensing board. 

 

Licensure Requirements Generally

Licensing boards require more than successful degree completion to obtain a license or certification and laws relating to licensure/certification may change at any time, which may affect the educational requirements for licensure/certification. 

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

In addition to educational requirements, the licensing boards for each of the states and the  protectorates (American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Virgin Islands) may require applicants to meet other requirements including, but not limited to,  age, citizenship, examinations, clinical hours, criminal background checks, professional experience (which may require years of experience), residency, and specialized courses (not offered as part of any institutional curriculum) (i.e., History of the State, Ethics), etc.

 

MISSISSIPPI LICENSURE

All programs of The University of Southern Mississippi are designed to meet the licensure standards set by the Mississippi Department of Education and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in Mississippi. 

RECOMMENDATION

If you are considering a program at USM that leads to licensure or certification and you do not live in the State of Mississippi, it is our recommendation that you contact the appropriate state licensing agency in their state or the state where you intend to work

This will allow you to obtain the most up-to-date information about state licensure requirements before beginning any of our licensure/certification programs.

DISCLOSURE UPDATES

Due to the frequency at which requirements change, data on this page is only accurate as of the date listed below. The information contained on this page was last updated on 7/1/2024.
USM makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure/certification are updated:annually   

AND

when changes are discovered If USM discovers that a program no longer meets the licensure/certification requirements of any state or protectorate, this page will be updated. 
See the original Professional Licensure Disclosure in the catalog- https://catalog.usm.edu/content.php?catoid=35&navoid=2239 

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SOCIAL WORK

Obtaining a social work license requires obtaining one of the following degrees:

Bachelors in Social Work -Social Work BSW
Masters in Social Work- Social Work MSW

 

LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS GENERALLY

Passage of a Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam (for more information see https://www.aswb.org/)
Completion of supervised clinical practice hours (to the level required)
Application to the state licensing boardState licensing boards may have distinct requirements regarding education, experience and examination, including relative to the level of licensure.

USM PROGRAMS

The University of Southern Mississippi School of Social Work curriculum is designed to help prepare students to sit for the professional licensure exam for Mississippi. 

 

Social Work BSW

Program Website-https://www.usm.edu/undergraduate-programs/social-work.php 

Program Coordinator- Rachel Lahasky rachel.lahaskyFREEMississippi 601/266-6952

DISCLOSURES

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 
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