Question: What is the difference between an MSW and an LCSW?

Master of Social Work (MSW)

An MSW is a graduate degree offered by colleges and universities. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the accreditor for master's social work programs, and its accreditation overview (checked October 2026) notes that most state and territory licensing requirements call for a degree from a CSWE-accredited program. MSW programs are offered on campus, in hybrid formats and online; under CSWE's Accreditation Policy Handbook (September 2026), a program's accreditation applies to all of its options, including locations and delivery methods.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

An LCSW is a social worker licensed by a state to provide clinical social work services. What those services include is set by each state's law. In New York, for example, the Office of the Professions (checked October 2026) lists diagnosing mental, emotional, behavioral, developmental and addictive disorders, developing treatment plans and providing psychotherapy among the clinical services an LCSW may provide. The main path to the LCSW starts with an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program.

Check out our article on how to become a licensed clinical social worker for more information.

Not every social work role requires a clinical license. ASWB's guide to becoming a licensed social worker (checked October 2026) explains that licensing boards set the requirements, that those requirements vary by jurisdiction, and that its licensing exams cover several levels, from Bachelors to Clinical, so licensing rules for other social work roles vary by state. For more information, check out our list of social work licenses by state page. Social workers in community-based roles, such as community organization and planning, may not need a clinical license after completing their MSW, depending on the state and the job.

MSW vs. LCSW at a glance

Where the LMSW and other license titles fit

Some states license MSW graduates at a master's level before the clinical license. In New York, most LCSW candidates must first be licensed as an LMSW to complete their supervised experience, and an LMSW may provide clinical services only under the supervision of an LCSW, a licensed psychologist or a psychiatrist, according to the state's LCSW requirements and consumer information pages (checked October 2026).

License titles are not the same in every state, and the same letters can mean different things:

• New York uses LMSW (licensed master social worker) for its master's-level license and LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) for its clinical license (NYSED).
• Massachusetts uses LICSW (licensed independent clinical social worker) for its independent clinical license; there, LCSW stands for licensed certified social worker (Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, 258 CMR 9.00).

Check your state board for the exact titles it uses. Our guide to the difference between the LMSW and the LCSW covers that step in more detail.

Licensing Requirements for LCSWs

The path from an MSW to an LCSW usually follows these steps, though the details are set by each state:

1. Earn an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. Most state and territory licensing requirements call for graduation from a CSWE-accredited program (CSWE).
2. Get a master's-level license, if your state requires one. In New York, for example, most candidates are licensed as an LMSW before completing supervised experience (NYSED).
3. Complete supervised clinical experience after the MSW. The amount varies: New York requires at least 36 months, including at least 100 hours of in-person clinical supervision (NYSED), while Connecticut requires 3,000 hours of post-master's experience, including at least 100 hours of supervision (Connecticut Department of Public Health).
4. Pass the required exam. New York and Connecticut both require the ASWB Clinical exam (NYSED; Connecticut DPH). Our study guide to the social work licensing exam explains how the exam works.
5. Apply to your state licensing board and meet its remaining requirements (ASWB).

Coursework requirements also vary by state. Students who wish to pursue licensing in the State of New York must complete at least 12 semester hours of clinical coursework from an acceptable graduate social work program, either as part of their MSW or after graduation to remedy deficiencies in clinical content; continuing education does not count toward this requirement. In California, the Board of Behavioral Sciences requires LCSW applicants (application packet revised June 2026) to complete coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting, human sexuality, alcoholism and substance abuse, and, for most applicants, aging and long-term care and spousal or partner abuse, before the board approves their application for licensure; California applicants also pass the state's Law and Ethics exam before the ASWB Clinical exam. Because state regulations for clinical social worker licensure vary, we recommend that students who plan to pursue a career in clinical social work research the LCSW requirements in the state where they plan to practice while they research online MSW programs.

Some states also accept a doctoral degree in social work. Connecticut, for example, accepts a master's or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program (Connecticut DPH). CSWE accredits practice doctorate programs, most often called the doctoral degree in social work (DSW), after the Council for Higher Education Accreditation approved that change in its scope in 2025; CSWE does not accredit PhD programs (CSWE).

For students who are interested in clinical social work, a program's focus matters. CSWE requires every accredited MSW program to define at least one area of specialized practice, often called a concentration, and to design its curriculum (CSWE 2022 EPAS, EP M3.2 and AS M3.2.1). In CSWE's 2023–2024 annual survey of social work programs, health, behavioral health and mental health was the most common area of specialized practice among responding MSW programs, and 128 responding MSW programs reported offering an online delivery option. Because programs set their own concentrations and curricula, whether a program's courses meet your state's clinical coursework requirement, such as New York's 12 semester hours, depends on the program and the state. We recommend speaking with an admission advisor or program administrator before applying to make sure the program fits your career goals. Some states let applicants complete certain required coursework after graduation; California, for example, accepts that coursework from approved continuing education providers (California BBS). For more information, check out our page on online clinical social work programs.

Related questions

Which comes first, the MSW or the LCSW? Is an LCSW higher than an MSW?

The MSW comes first. The LCSW is not a higher degree; it is a state license that most social workers earn after the MSW by completing supervised clinical experience and passing the required exam (ASWB).

Can you be a therapist with just an MSW?

Rules depend on the state, and in some states, not on your own. In New York, for example, an LMSW may provide clinical services only under the supervision of an LCSW, a licensed psychologist or a psychiatrist, while an LCSW may provide psychotherapy within the state's scope of practice (NYSED). Check your state board's rules.

How long does it take to get an LCSW after an MSW?

It depends on your state's supervised experience requirement. New York requires at least 36 months of supervised experience after the MSW (NYSED), and Connecticut requires 3,000 hours of post-master's experience (Connecticut DPH).

Does an online MSW count toward an LCSW?

CSWE accreditation applies to all of a program's delivery methods, including online options (CSWE Accreditation Policy Handbook). Confirm that the program is CSWE-accredited and that its coursework meets your state's requirements.

Can I move my LCSW to another state?

Licenses are issued by each state, so moving usually means applying to the new state's board; New York, for example, offers licensure by endorsement to clinical social workers with at least 10 of the last 15 years in practice (NYSED). The Social Work Licensure Compact has passed in more than 30 states, but as of October 2026 the compact's commission says multistate licenses are not yet being issued (Social Work Licensure Compact; July 2026 update).

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