Graduate School of Social Work Master of Social Work Program State Licensure Information

The Denver Campus, Four Corners, Western Colorado and MSW@Denver Social Work program leads to a Master of Social Work degree. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program is designed to meet the eligibility requirements for the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam and not an initial license. Licensure requirements, including levels of licensure vary by state, and students should contact their state licensing board to determine the state specific requirements for licensure, including any additional requirements beyond the scope of the program.

The table below provides a state by state breakdown of comparable initial (not clinical) social work licenses, including a determination of eligibility for licensure. This information provided is designed as a baseline determination of whether the program meets individual state specific requirements. Licensure requirements, the type of license to apply for, and appropriate pathway to pursue are subject to change and may differ based on individual student backgrounds, including coursework taken outside the scope of the program. Students should do their own due diligence and determine the appropriate pathway and license type for themselves. 

State Name of Entry Level Credential Special Requirements
Alabama  Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)  Meets State Requirements 
Alaska Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Arizona Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Arkansas Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
California Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW)

Meets State Requirements
As of this date, in addition to earning a master’s degree from a CSWE accredited school, the California Board of Behavioral Sciences requires the completion of specific courses that are offered at DU and can be completed as electives within your program of study; complete “California Law and Professional Ethics”18-hour course and pass the California Law and Ethics exam (California Law and Professional Ethics courses and exam are not offered at DU, MSW@Denver and must be taken by regulated California provider)

Colorado Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Meets State Requirements
Connecticut Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
District of Columbia  Master's Social Worker (MSW) Meets State Requirements
Delaware Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) Meets State Requirements
Florida Does not have an initial graduate license, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Only

Meets State Requirements
As of this date, in addition to earning a master’s degree from a CSWE accredited school, the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling requires the completion of specific coursework, these courses are offered at DU and can be completed as electives within your program of study; complete 8 hours Florida Law and Rules course; pass master’s level ASWB examination, and 24 months post education supervised clinical (1500) hours

Georgia Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Meets State Requirements
Hawaii Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Meets State Requirements
Idaho Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Illinois Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Meets State Requirements
Indiana Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Meets State Requirements
Iowa Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Kansas Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Kentucky Certified Social worker (CSW) Meets State Requirements
Louisiana Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Maine Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Maryland Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Massachusetts Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) Meets State Requirements
Michigan Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Minnesota Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Mississippi Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Missouri Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) Meets State Requirements
Montana Does not have an initial graduate license, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Only

Meets State Requirements
As of this date, in addition to earning a master’s degree from a CSWE accredited school pass master’s level ASWB examination, and 3000 post education supervised clinical hours

Nebraska Provisional Certified Master Social Worker Meets State Requirements
Nevada Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Meets State Requirements
New Hampshire Does not have an initial graduate license, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Only Meets State Requirements
New Jersey Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Meets State Requirements
New Mexico Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
New York Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
As of this date, in addition to earning a master’s degree from a CSWE accredited school, New York state requires completed coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse offered by a New York State approved provider
North Carolina Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW) Meets State Requirements
North Dakota Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) Meets State Requirements
Ohio Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Meets State Requirements
Oklahoma Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Oregon

Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA)

or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

Meets State Requirements
Pennsylvania Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Meets State Requirements
Rhode Island Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
South Carolina Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
South Dakota Certified Social Worker (CSW) Meets State Requirements
Tennessee Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Texas Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Utah Certified Social Worker (CSW) Meets State Requirements 
Vermont Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Meets State Requirements
Virginia Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Meets State Requirements
Washington Does not have an initial graduate license,  Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW) Only. Meets State Requirements
As of this date, in addition to earning a master’s degree from a CSWE accredited school; pass master’s level ASWB examination, 4 hours of HIV/AIDS training, and 3200 post education supervised clinical hours
West Virginia Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) Meets State Requirements
Wisconsin Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker (CAPSW) Meets State Requirements
Wyoming Licensed Clinical Social Worker (provisional)  Meets State Requirements
American Samoa Not specified Not Determined
Puerto Rico Not specified Not Determined
Guam Licensed Master Social Worker Meets State Requirements
US Virgin Islands Certified Social Worker    Meets State Requirements
Northern Mariana Islands Licensed Master Social Worker Meets State Requirements
Marshall Islands Not Specified Not Determined
Micronesia Not Specified Not Determined
Palau Not Specified Not Determined


This information is provided in good faith to applicants as of June 1, 2020.