There is an urgent need for more behavioral health providers to enter the workforce. A quarter of California residents reported mental health or substance use disorders in 2020 but only 53.8% received treatment. A new generation of clinical social workers meet this demand for life-improving or life-saving services. 

Compassionate professionals driven to help others may not know which behavioral health career is best for them. Differences between clinical social workers, counselors, and counseling psychologists are rooted in their education and practice focus. Understanding the basics of a social work career helps when exploring which career path fits your goals.  

What does a social worker do? 

Social workers provide critical services to assess client needs and facilitate appropriate clinical and community-based resources to address interpersonal, behavioral health, and socioeconomic challenges. Clinical specializations within the field equip practitioners to provide care in healthcare, education, mental health, and substance use treatment settings. These practice areas are grounded in the core values and ethical principles outlined by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW): 

• Service 
• Social justice 
• Dignity and worth of the person 
• Importance of human relationships 
• Integrity 
• Competence 

Educational options 

The entry-level degree for social work careers is a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). This degree prepares graduates for case management and advocacy roles with nonprofits, government agencies, and other service providers.  

Social workers interested in providing behavioral health interventions must earn a degree from an accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program for state licensure. LCSWs can open private practices or work with other behavioral health providers in a variety of settings. 

You do not have to have a BSW degree to attend an MSW program. MSW programs look for diversity of experiences that bring a student to a graduate program. Those with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work can enter a Master of Social Work program that includes foundational coursework. Those with a BSW degree would enter the Advanced Standing pathway and be able to graduate with an MSW degree in a shorter time frame. 

The Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) is focused on practice and applied research for those seeking to advance into leadership roles within social work. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social Work is more research-focused for those inspired to make an impact through academia and research. 

Licensure 

Social workers are licensed through the relevant licensing boards in their home states. There are multiple types of social workers. One of those is a clinical social worker who addresses behavioral health and substance use. Most often, social workers who pursue this work are also licensed as an LCSW or are in the process of becoming licensed. Social workers can work in behavioral health without a license, but they cannot do certain things such as hospitalize someone etc., until licensed as an LCSW. 

Licensure requirements vary by state with some states offering Certified Social Worker (CSW) or Licensed Social Worker (LSW) options for BSW graduates. Every state requires an MSW for its LCSW or equivalent license. 

The LCSW issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) offers a good example of licensing requirements. MSW graduates begin their post-graduate experience as Associate Clinical Social Workers (ASWs) under the supervision of experienced LCSWs. ASWs must meet the following requirements to earn LCSW licensure: 

• Complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience 
• Meet the state’s fingerprint and criminal background check requirement 
• Pass the California Law & Ethics Exam 
• Pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Exam 

Work environments 

The widespread need for therapeutic services means social workers can be found in various environments. They often work in offices or clinical settings, though they may also conduct services that are community-based and focused on marginalized populations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) determined that the most common employers of social workers were: 

• Individual and family service providers (18%) 
• Local governments (14%) 
• State governments (12%) 
• Educational service providers (10%) 
• Community service providers (3%) 

How does social work compare to counseling and psychology degrees?

LCSWs, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and counseling psychologists all provide mental health and therapeutic services, but their training, clinical focus, and career trajectories differ in meaningful ways. The table below outlines the key differences to help you determine which path aligns with your goals.

In California, salaries across all three credentials are significantly higher than the national median. Healthcare social workers in California earn a median of $92,970 (BLS 2024). For the full California breakdown by specialization and region, see our guide to what you can do as an LCSW in California.

Why a social work career might be right for you 

Behavioral health professionals in these roles contribute to improved health and well-being in their communities. A worthwhile question is why a career as an LCSW might maximize your impact compared to another role. Here are a few reasons why a career in social work may be the best path for you: 

Commitment to society as a whole 

The NASW Code of Ethics notes that “social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of their clients.” The ethical codes for psychologists and counselors lead with values like beneficence and nonmaleficence that are typically applied to individual interactions. These codes all mention social justice, but the social work approach is more explicit in their communities. 

Degree and licensing timeline 

The education requirements for an MSW can be completed faster than a counseling or psychology program. Mental health counselors and LCSWs have similar educational requirements, while counseling psychologists typically hold doctoral degrees. There are MSW programs with accelerated timelines for students who graduated with BSWs. 

LCSWs, counselors, and psychologists must complete the same number of post-graduate supervised experience hours for licensure. An important variable in favor of LCSWs is the cost of graduate education compared to other career paths. An MSW degree — particularly for BSW holders entering the advanced standing pathway — is often more affordable than a counseling master's or psychology doctorate, and significantly shorter than the doctoral path required for counseling psychology licensure.

Job satisfaction 

Behavioral health careers can be stressful as practitioners help clients through mental health challenges. LCSWs also feel rewarded because of the positive impacts they witness in their daily work. Ninety percent of recent MSW graduates reported satisfaction in their new roles, according to a CSWE workforce. 

Start your social work career at University of the Pacific 

University of the Pacific's MSW program prepares graduates for LCSW licensure across both online and hybrid formats, with field placements arranged near where you live.

No matter the pathway or modality, MSW candidates apply lessons from experienced faculty during their practicum hours. Pacific’s field placement services identify experiential learning opportunities near where students live. Every experience meets Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) standards and advances a student’s learning goals.  

Pacific graduates benefit from the university’s strong reputation as they enter the workforce. The university’s MSW program is accredited by the CSWE. U.S. News & World Report rankings in the following categories prove Pacific’s reputation for academic excellence: 

• No. 44 in Best Value Schools 
• No. 93 in Best Colleges for Veterans 
• No. 136 in National Universities