New Jersey Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in NJ
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Written by Maura Deering | Edited by Victoria Hudgeons
Updated July 2024
New Jersey social work licensure can set you up for a career in one of the nation’s highest-paying states for social workers. New Jersey also offers employment growth as much-needed social worker positions remain unfilled.
According to a recent survey conducted by the state’s Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, New Jersey faces a 28% vacancy rate among licensed clinical social workers and a 33% vacancy rate among licensed social workers.
Learn about becoming a New Jersey social worker in this comprehensive guide.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
New Jersey Social Work Licensing Requirements
New Jersey’s State Board of Social Work Examiners licenses social workers with bachelor of social work (BSW), master of social work (MSW), and related degrees. Licensing levels consist of certified social workers, licensed social workers, and licensed clinical social workers.
This section details the scope of practice, educational requirements, supervised training hours, and potential career paths for each license type. For example, each credential requires a passing score on the appropriate level exam administered by the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB).
Certified Social Worker
Bachelor’s-trained certified social workers (CSWs) can provide non-clinical services, such as client assessment, consultation, and counseling, as agency and organizational staff members. CSWs can also work in social work policy and planning, community organizing, research, and client-based advocacy. CSWs also qualify to enter MSW programs for further training, and those with BSWs may be admitted with advanced standing status.
New Jersey licensure requirements for CSW include:
- CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work OR bachelor’s degree in guidance and counseling, human services, marriage and family counseling, psychology, sociology, or vocational/disability rehabilitation
- (non-BSW degree holders only) 1,600 hours of full-time social work experience
- Passing score on the ASWB bachelor exam
Licensed Social Worker
Licensed social workers (LSWs) hold master’s degrees and can offer clients advanced non-clinical services independently. They can also practice clinical social work, including psychotherapeutic counseling, under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker.
LSW employers include community services, healthcare organizations, schools, and substance abuse and mental health clinics. LSWs counsel and advocate for their clients or work in research, administration, community organizing, and policy.
New Jersey licensure requirements for LSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work or social welfare, or doctoral degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB masters exam
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) can perform all of the functions of CSWs and LSWs. They receive additional clinical social work training, allowing them to independently diagnose and treat behavioral, emotional, and mental health disorders.
LCSWs work in community services, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and independent practice. Additional career options include supervising LSWs and university-level teaching and research.
New Jersey licensure requirements for LCSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work or social welfare, or doctoral degree in social work
- At least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, including 1,920 hours of face-to-face client contact
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in New Jersey
LCSWs from other states can apply for reciprocity in New Jersey. They must submit an application, a resume showing work experience from the past five years, official transcripts, consent for a criminal background check, and an official score transfer if the ASWB clinical exam was required in their state.
Legislation to join the Social Work Licensure Compact is pending in New Jersey, which aims to allow member-state social workers to practice in New Jersey and other compact states under a multistate license starting in 2025.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in New Jersey
New Jersey social work licensure expires every two years, and social workers must submit renewal applications by February 1 during even-numbered years. LCSWs must complete 40 credits of continuing education (CE), including 20 hours related to clinical practice, five hours of ethics content, and three hours of social and cultural competence.
LSWs need 30 CE credits with five hours of ethics content and three hours of social and cultural competence. CSWs must provide documentation of 20 CE hours, including five hours of ethics and three hours of social and cultural competence.
BSW Programs Available in New Jersey
- Centenary University — Hackettstown (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $18,318 per semester full time, $878 per credit hour part time
- Georgian Court University – Lakewood and Vineland/Cumberland (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $17,680 per semester full time, $805 per credit hour part time
- Monmouth University – West Long Branch (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $22,876 per semester full time, $1,324 per credit hour part time
- New Jersey City University – Jersey City (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $7,134 per semester full time, $476 per credit hour part time
- Ramapo College – Mahwah (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $16,777 per year in state, $27,708 per year out of state
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey – New Brunswick, Newark, Camden, and May’s Landing (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $7,111 per semester full time in state, $16,867 per semester full time out of state; $459 per credit hour part time in state, $1,096 per credit hour part time out of state
- Saint Elizabeth University – Morristown (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $16,943 per semester full time, $941 per credit hour part time
- Seton Hall University – South Orange (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $25,190 per semester full time, $1,540 per credit hour part time
- Stockton University – Galloway (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $6,803 per semester in state, $10,932 per semester out of state
MSW Programs Available in New Jersey
- Fairleigh Dickinson University – Teaneck (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $926 per credit hour
- Kean University – Union (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Forensic Social Work, Human Behavior, International Social Work, Research, School Social Work, Social Justice, Trauma
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $9,133 per semester full time in state, $12,672 per semester full time out of state; $928 per credit part time in state, $1,282 per credit part time out of state; $868 per credit online
- Monmouth University – West Long Branch (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical Practice with Families and Children, Global and Community Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $1,136 per credit hour
- Montclair State University – Montclair (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Children, Youth, and Families
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $37,210 total program cost
- Ramapo University – Mahwah (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $895 per credit hour
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey – Camden, Newark, New Brunswick (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical Practice, Management
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $9,672 per semester full time in state, $16,440 per semester full time out of state; $806 per credit part time in state, $1,370 per credit part time out of state; $1,007 per credit online
- Seton Hall University – South Orange (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Forensic Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $1,520 per credit hour
- Stockton University – Atlantic City (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $851 per credit hour in state, $1,240 per credit hour out of state
New Jersey Social Worker Career and Salary Information
New Jersey social workers earn higher-than-average salaries in the specialty areas of child, family, and school social workers; healthcare social workers; and mental health and substance abuse social workers. The state ranks third among the top-paying states for child, family, and school social workers and healthcare social workers and fifth for mental health and substance abuse social workers.
Projected long-term employment growth (2022-2032) indicates increases across all social worker career paths in New Jersey. Projections Central lists a 14.1% job growth rate for mental health social workers, 9.1% for healthcare social workers 9.1%, 7.8% for “all other” social workers, and 6.3% for child, family, and school social workers.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $73,680 | $35.42 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $76,690 | $36.87 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $66,490 | $31.97 |
Social Work Associations in New Jersey
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW): New Jersey Chapter: The NASW offers discounted student memberships, along with professional memberships. Member benefits include advocacy, professional development, and networking opportunities. Students can attend free events focused on early career preparation, skill building, and industry connections.
- New Jersey Society for Clinical Social Work (NJSCSW): The NJSCSW features leadership and training in psychotherapeutic techniques, opportunities to participate in legislative initiatives, free continuing education, a referral directory, and annual conferences. Clinical social work graduate students can join at a discounted rate.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in New Jersey?
There are three types of New Jersey social work licensure: certified social worker credentials for bachelor’s degree holders and licensed social worker and licensed clinical social worker credentials for master’s or doctoral program graduates.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in New Jersey?
New Jersey social work licensure requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree, depending on the license level, and a passing score on the applicable ASWB examination. CSWs without BSWs and LCSWs must also complete supervised experience hours.
How much do social workers in New Jersey make?
Average annual salaries in New Jersey range from $66,490 for “all other” social workers to $82,010 for healthcare social workers. New Jersey social worker salaries rank among the highest in the nation.
How long does it take to become a social worker in New Jersey?
It takes a minimum of four years to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work and become a certified social worker in New Jersey. Additional education and work experience is required to pursue advanced licensure levels.
