# BSW vs. LSW

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bsw-vs-lsw/201552>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 14, 2003, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bsw-vs-lsw/201552 "2003-09-14T13:01:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Chief\_Crunch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@Chief\_Crunch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Crunch)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bsw-vs-lsw/201552/1 "2003-09-14T13:01:15Z")

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What’s the difference between a Bachelor of Social Work and a Licensed Social Worker? Is it the amount of education or experience? Many thanks for any answers to my question.

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**Author:** ![constantine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@constantine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constantine)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bsw-vs-lsw/201552/2 "2003-09-14T18:06:09Z")

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I don’t know much about social work, but since no one else has responded, here is my WAG. I believe we are talking about the difference between on the one hand, holding a degree in social work, and on the other, being licensed by the state as a social worker.

If a person holds a Bachelor of Social Work, it means he or she has a degree granted by a college or university.

If a person is a Licensed Social Worker, it means that he or she has met the state’s requirements to be licensed.

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**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bsw-vs-lsw/201552/3 "2003-09-14T19:04:16Z")

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Yes, **constantine** is on the right track.

BSW is a college degree, while LSW is a professional designation. In order to be an LSW, in all states I am familiar with (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Mississippi) one must:

- Complete a Masters in Social Work (MSW) degree, which typically takes two years of study _after_ earning a BSW.
- Complete a state-mandated number of hours of practical, clinical work experience, usually gained during intern- and externships completed during graduate school.
- Successfully complete a state licensing exam.
- Successfully pass a state background check, which looks for any indication that the applicant has a criminal record, allegations of abuse in their history, a history of drug use or alcohol abuse or other impediments.

Of course the standard varies from state to state, so specific criteria will need to be ascertained on that basis.

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**Author:** ![Chief\_Crunch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@Chief\_Crunch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Crunch)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bsw-vs-lsw/201552/4 "2003-09-14T21:06:54Z")

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Thanks for the info!