South Carolina licenses bachelor’s and master’s level social workers. Licensed Baccalaureate Social Workers (LBSWs) are generalists who work in organized settings. Social workers who hold master’s degrees also begin their practice in organized settings. The first license they will be eligible for is Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). They can eventually achieve eligibility for private practice in either of two areas: advanced practice or clinical social work. A Licensed Independent Social Worker-Advanced Practice (LISW-AP) may work in areas such as administration or policy development. Mediation, advocacy, and expert testimony are among the services that may be provided. LISW-APs may carry out nonclinical assessment.
Sponsored School(s)Winthrop University provides two tracks to an M.S.W. degree. Students with an undergraduate degree in a field unrelated to social work will join the Traditional program, and we offer an Advanced Standing program to students who previously earned an undergraduate social work degree with CSWE accreditation. Visit School's Website
Arizona State University - Online offers the respected CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work online. ASU Online knows today’s MSW students need remote learning options with no compromises. That’s why you’ll find the same professors, field work requirements, and internship placement assistance that ASU provides on campus. Visit School's Website
Grand Canyon University offers Online Social Work Degrees. Choose between Bachelors of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing). Visit School's Website
The Licensed Independent Social Worker – Clinical Social Worker (LISW-CP) scope of practice includes psychotherapy, counseling, case management, and assessment and diagnosis of mental disorder. The role could also include services such as advocacy or expert testimony.
Social workers begin their journey toward licensure by enrolling in social work degree programs that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Bachelor’s programs qualify a person for the lowest level of licensing. The higher licenses can be earned on the basis of master’s (Master’s of Social Work programs in South Carolina) or doctoral education.
Graduate social work programs can have very different areas of emphasis. South Carolina sets minimum requirements for coursework in the practice area sought; requirements are based on academic contact hours. A prospective LISW-AP must have at least 90 hours of organizational and community-oriented advanced practice coursework. A prospective LISW-CP must have at least 45 hours of coursework in each of two content areas: psychopathology and psycho-diagnosis.
Prospective LISWs also have an ethics coursework requirement. They meet this requirement at a later stage, while completing their supervised practice. The minimum requirement is 15 contact hours of academic coursework or 20 contact hours of continuing education. Board-sponsored courses are also acceptable.
The prospective independent social worker will work under approved supervision for two to four years, until such time as he or she has accrued 3,000 qualifying experience hours. The individual will need to have a supervision contract in place. It is to be approved before the beginning of the supervision period. The supervisor will be an independent social worker who has at least a few years of experience at the LISW level and is credentialed to work as a supervisor. The South Carolina Board maintains a list of approved supervisors (https://verify.llronline.com/LicLookup/SW/LSWAP.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1).
The supervisee will have at least 100 hours of face-to-state supervision. Up to half may take place in a group setting, provided standards are met.
The supervisor will document supervision topics. He or she will evaluate the candidate in the supervision report and will make a recommendation for licensure, noting the areas of practice where the candidate is qualified for independent practice.
In some cases, it will be necessary to amend a supervision contract or initiate a new one along the way.
All licenses are by examination. The examinations are those of the Association of Social Work Boards. The prospective licensee will take the exam that corresponds to the license sought. Individuals who are in the final semester of a bachelor’s or master’s social work program can be approved to take the exam on the basis of documentation provided by the dean.
Social workers who seek the independent credential will take a second exam after other requirements have been met. A prospective LISW-AP will take the Advanced Generalist Examination; a prospective LISW-CP will take the Clinical Examination.