Online Social Work Programs in Nevada
Professionals looking for social work jobs in Nevada can pursue healthcare social worker positions that earn an annual mean wage of nearly $79,000, more than any other state in the nation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Based on the same data, the Las Vegas metropolitan area has an annual wage of $84,000, the third-highest mean annual wage for healthcare social workers.
According to a May 2017 data set from the BLS, Nevada also offers social work positions beyond healthcare, with nearly 5,000 total social work jobs. Job titles include healthcare social worker; child, family, and school social worker; and mental health and substance abuse social worker. Students looking to enroll in online social work programs in Nevada can find what they seek at the University of Nevada, Reno. Read on for more information about the program.
Social Work Programs by Degree Level
Online Master’s in Social Work Programs
Education and Licensure Requirements for Social Workers in Nevada
The Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers deals with all matters related to social work in Nevada, including licensure. The Board of Examiners offers three different types of social work licenses: licensed social worker (LSW), licensed independent social worker (LISW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
Education Requirements
The LSW license serves as an initial professional certification for social workers in Nevada. Each candidate for the LSW license must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. A student looking to practice clinically must seek an LCSW license, and must already hold a master of social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program.
Exam Application Process and Requirements
Each of the three types of licenses that the Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers offers includes different requirements and an exam application process. Candidates for LSW licensure must pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor’s exam, which costs $230. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited program to qualify to take the exam. LSW candidates do not need supervised experience, but they must pay licensure and application fees totaling $177.
Each LISW candidate must pass the ASWB advanced generalist exam, which costs $260, and have 3,000 hours of supervised experience over 2-3 years. The licensure and application fees also total $177. LCSW candidates must also have 3,000 hours of experience, pay $177 in fees, and pass the ASWB clinical exam.
All ASWB exams consist of 170 multiple choice questions. Licensure candidates can register for all necessary exams on the ASWB website.
Continuing Education and Licensure Renewal
Social workers in Nevada must renew their licenses every single year regardless of the type of licensure they hold. Each year, the renewal deadline takes place on the final day of their birth month. An LSW in Nevada must also complete 30 hours of continuing education courses every two years. These 30 hours must include 10 that directly relate to the LSW’s field of practice. LCSWs and LISWs must each complete 36 hours of courses, including 12 in their specific field. Every social worker in Nevada must complete two hours in suicide prevention and four hours in ethics every two years.
An LSW must pay $100 to renew their license in Nevada, while an LCSW and LISW each pay $150.
Featured Online Programs
Why Choose an Online Social Work Program in Nevada?
Given the lucrative environment that the Las Vegas metropolitan area provides to healthcare social workers, students wishing to pursue that profession in Vegas may attend online courses at the University of Nevada to save on housing, moving, and commuting costs. These students can maintain their jobs or continue to raise their families while earning degrees and preparing to take advantage of the Las Vegas job market after graduation.
Many online social work programs also allow students to complete supervised hours at placement sites in their own communities, providing them with additional convenience and flexibility.
Ranking Methodology
Here is our list of online social work degree programs in Nevada as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics. We cover online bachelor’s in social work, online master’s in social work, and online doctorate in social work programs. All programs are regionally and CSWE accredited, and all are available entirely online.
Online Social Work Programs in Nevada
University of Nevada Reno
UNR’s social work department offers an online MSW degree. Founded in 1874, this public research institution serves approximately 21,700 students. The social work program prides itself on producing ethical social work leaders with the ability to work with diverse communities and underserved populations. The department subscribes to an advanced generalist practice curriculum that prepares graduates for a wide variety of careers in the field. Many alums move on to occupations as collaborative professionals in areas such as medicine, business, education, and public health. All students who possess a bachelor’s degree in any field may apply.
UNR’s Master of Social Work
- Concentrations: The program offers an advanced generalist studies concentration.
- Credits and Courses: Advanced standing distance students complete 32 credits for the master’s degree. MSW students without a BSW, or traditional program learners, need to complete 62 credits. Foundational classes for each track include structural oppression, social work methods for groups, and theoretical perspectives on human behavior.
- Completion Time: Advanced standing full-time students usually finish the online MSW in 15 months or four consecutive semesters. Traditional MSW students take up to eight semesters to complete coursework and requirements.
- Field Education: All students complete four hands-on practicums.
- Exam Preparation: This program prepares students for the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam.
- Online Student Support: Online students take advantage of academic advising, information technology, student organizations, and professional career coaching.
- Cost: $350/credit in-state; $700/credit out-of-state.
- Admission Requirements: Incoming students should have at least a 3.0 GPA or a 3.25 GPA in their last 60 hours. Applicants without a social work bachelor’s degree need a history of substantial liberal arts training and coursework in statistics and research methods. Interested learners do not need to submit their GRE scores.
University of Nevada Reno is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). University of Nevada Reno’s online social work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
