A four-year bachelor degree in social work or a related field is required for most entry-level positions. If you already hold an associate degree, you may be able to transfer credits and cut the time to graduation to two years. A bachelor’s degree typically prepares you for direct service positions such as caseworkers or mental health assistants. Opportunities to serve others that allow for interaction with clients and the community, such as an internship, are necessary to build skills needed for a career in social work. To become a licensed clinical social worker, a master’s degree is required. This provides necessary education and field experience. After the master’s degree is obtained, many states require social workers to be licensed or
