LCSW: CEU Requirements and Importance

For any LCSW: CEU requirements are simply a part of the game. Becoming a licensed clinical social worker in the firstAplace requires a great deal of specific education. But what’s more, any such worker must continue to earn classroom credits throughout their career to remain licensed. The reasons behind this are simple. Research and therapy changes all the time. Anyone involved in the field must keep up with these changes to remain effective. Then there is simply the fact that it is impossible to learn it all in the typical path towards graduation. As you get involved in your field, you’ll find yourself increasingly specializing in certain areas. With that specialization will come the need for more specific forms of education.

Since for most LCSW, CEU requirements won’t kick in until after you’ve been firmly established in your career, it is worth noting the basic education requirements for a social worker in most states and organizations. This includes a minimum bachelor’s degree in a field related to therapy, such as psychology or sociology. This may be enough to obtain an entry level position in some organizations, although the job market may have something to say about that. In times of higher unemployment, you are more likely to need at least a master’s degree to get started.

Of course, finding a job is only part of the battle. As a social worker, you have to get licensed by the state, which comes with its own set of standards. These standards are different for every state, but they usually include a certain number of clinical hours. This is usually in the range of two years or around 3,000 hours for LCSW. CEU requirements will differ as well as you progress through your career.

There are a number of options when it comes to a career path for a LCSW. CEU credits can help you determine that path. Getting more education in a certain aspect of the field may benefit you when trying to move in to a particular part of the job. For instance, you may benefit from taking supervisory courses or learning more about the research end of psychology. No matter your career plans, continuing education can only serve to improve your understanding of the field and improve your interaction with patients and clientele. Many states offer workshops you can attend to not only learn at the feet of experienced and knowledgeable professionals, but network with others in your field for opportunities of career advancement.