Continuing Education and Licensure in Social Work

Licensure

Licensure is the national standard for practicing social workers. After earning the MSW, a social worker may become licensed as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) by passing an exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). An LMSW may then become licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) after four years of professional practice and additional preparation for the LCSW exam. The Silberman School of Social Work is committed to ensuring that students, while they are enrolled, become prepared to take and pass the LMSW exam. The School’s Licensure Central initiative is a digital gateway available through the Hunter Blackboard portal that provides students with resources, materials, information, and practical steps to help them become licensed LMSWs. The School’s Department of Continuing Education, additionally, offers courses for alumni and others dedicated to licensure preparation.

Continuing Education

The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#0148). The Continuing Education and Training program at Silberman is intended for social workers seeking to fulfill their commitment to lifelong learning. It is designed to help them maintain, enhance, and hone their professional practice, knowledge, and skills. Using the method-based approach to curriculum development that informs all of Silberman’s programs, Continuing Education classes reflect the School’s core values and strengths in clinical practice, community organization and program development, and organizational management and leadership. Taught by a distinguished faculty of social workers, researchers, and trainers, participants gain practical, hands-on and cutting-edge knowledge of a wide range of contemporary social work issues. Classes range in duration from four hours to two-day workshops in the evenings and on weekends. For more information about Continuing Education at Silberman, please click visit the School’s website.