Clinical Social Work vs. Direct Services Social Work
Published January 23, 2025
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Social workers who work directly with clients fall into two categories: clinical social workers and direct services social workers. But what's the difference between these two professions?
In a nutshell, both careers require a social work license. Clinical social workers require additional training and a clinical license, giving them a broader scope of practice, including the providing psychotherapy services. A bachelor's degree can prepare you for direct services social work.
Before choosing between these two social work careers, learn more about their responsibilities, education requirements, and earning potential.
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Clinical Social Work Overview
Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) can treat and diagnose mental health conditions. These social workers need a state-issued license to work in their field.
LCSWs can work in clinical settings to diagnose and treat patients with psychiatric conditions. Many work in mental health treatment facilities to help people with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and similar conditions. These social workers may also practice in substance use treatment facilities or open their own private practices to provide therapy services.
What Degree Do I Need to Work in Clinical Social Work?
Most clinical social work jobs require a master of social work (MSW) degree. During a clinical social work master's degree, you'll develop clinical practice skills and gain hands-on experience to meet licensure requirements. MSW programs often allow students to specialize in a practice area, such as substance use counseling, child and family social work, mental health counseling, or disability services.
Graduate-level social work programs prepare candidates to become LCSWs or their state's equivalent. In addition to earning a master's degree, social workers must pass a clinical-level standardized exam and complete required supervised work hours.
Clinical Social Work Master's Curriculum
An MSW with a clinical focus prepares you to get a clinical social work license. While curricula vary by program, many include the following courses.
- Clinical Practice with Individuals: This class covers approaches to treating individuals using clinical methods. Students learn how to assess a patient, prepare a treatment plan, and execute interventions.
- Clinical Practice with Groups: This course covers group psychotherapy methods to prepare clinical social workers to lead group sessions, such as those in rehabilitation centers. MSW students also learn how to help groups of people with various conditions.
- Substance Use Counseling: Students explore the unique challenges that people with addiction face and how to properly diagnose their patients and create evidence-based treatment plans.
- Social Policy: Policy classes prepare students to tackle the complicated legal and ethical questions that may arise in their practices. Students may also learn how to apply policies for their clients' benefit.
- Field Education Practicum: Accredited MSW programs require a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field instruction. During a practicum, students gain experience under the supervision of an LCSW.
Clinical Social Worker Salary and Career Outlook
Clinical social workers specialize in working with children, families, those managing substance use disorders, and other populations. Demand is particularly high for mental health, substance use, and healthcare social workers.
These clinical social work careers require a master's degree and a clinical social work license. As a result, they typically pay higher salaries than non-clinical roles that do not require a license.
| Job Title | Job Growth (2023-33) | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Child, family, and school social workers | +5% | $53,940 |
| Healthcare social workers | +10% | $62,940 |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers | +12% | $55,960 |
| Other social workers | +5% | $63,770 |
Direct Services Social Work Overview
Direct practice social workers help clients navigate complex systems, find appropriate resources, and manage life's difficulties. Like clinical social workers, direct services social workers spend most of their time interacting closely with clients. Unlike an LCSW, they do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions.
These social workers can pursue careers in diverse specializations. Direct social workers in healthcare help patients understand their insurance, advocate for their healthcare rights, and find the appropriate resources to use during recovery.
Child and family social workers visit homes to ensure child safety, evaluate potential foster care homes, and help with adoption proceedings. Direct service social workers also practice in schools, where they identify students in need, discover the root of their problems, and connect them with resources.
In addition to social work job titles, direct services careers may also have titles such as case manager, service coordinator, or survivor advocate.
What Degree Do I Need to Work in Direct Services Social Work?
The education and licensing requirements for social workers vary by state and position, but most direct services positions require at least a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) and some may also require a social work license. Many positions also require candidates to hold an MSW.
At undergraduate and graduate levels, social work students can choose a concentration, such as gerontology, children and families, healthcare, or school social work. Non-clinical roles generally do not require a license, but some career paths may benefit from training in clinical social work.
Direct Services Social Work Bachelor's or Master's Curriculum
During a BSW or an MSW course of study, you'll take coursework in direct services to build the knowledge and practical skills to work in this field.
- Social Work with Diverse Populations: Social workers help people from all walks of life. These courses help students understand cultural differences and the challenges they present, plus the benefits of a diverse community.
- Child Welfare: Social workers encounter children who have endured abuse and neglect, but the signs aren't always obvious. These classes teach aspiring social workers how to identify a child in need, and what children need to thrive.
- Adult Development and Aging: These classes prepare students to confront the unique challenges that the aging population faces. Professionals can then help older clients find the resources they need to age with dignity.
- Social Welfare Programs, Policies, and Issues: Before a social worker can help clients locate resources and get through bureaucracies, the professional must understand the available programs and current laws. These courses get learners up-to-date on current social welfare issues.
- Field Practicum: Both graduate and undergraduate programs typically require students to complete internships in the field for credit. These practicums help degree candidates understand what it means to make a career in direct practice in social work.
Direct Services Social Worker Salary and Career Outlook
Direct services social workers hold titles such as social services specialist, family advocate, and community health workers. In these roles, they provide direct support to clients and draw on case management skills. With experience, these social workers may move into supervisory roles as a social or community service manager.
| Job Title | Job Growth (2023-33) | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Community health workers | +13% | $48,200 |
| Social workers | +7% | $58,380 |
| Social and community service managers | +8% | $77,030 |
Clinical Social Work vs. Direct Services Social Work
Both clinical and direct services social workers work closely with clients, providing critical support that addresses each client's unique needs. But the two career paths are distinct.
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Degree Requirements
Clinical social workers need a master's degree to complete the licensure process, while direct services social workers can work in entry-level roles with a bachelor's degree. -
Work Settings
Most clinical social workers practice in mental health and rehabilitation clinics, while direct social workers find employment in schools, hospitals, and government agencies. -
Licensure Requirements
Clinical social workers need a state-issued license in every state, which means earning an accredited MSW, meeting supervised experience requirements, and passing a clinical exam.
The main difference between clinical and direct social workers is what each is legally allowed to do. All social workers can connect clients with resources and offer guidance through difficult situations, but only clinical social workers can provide counseling treatments.
Clinical Social Work or Direct Services Social Work: Which One is Right for You?
Prospective social work students should consider what setting best suits their personalities and skillsets before choosing a degree program.
For example, those who enjoy improving people's mental health and one-on-one interaction with clients may wish to become a clinical social worker. Those who enjoy working with a team, solving problems, and helping people and groups access community resources may prefer to become direct services social workers.
Learners may also weigh the cost of obtaining each degree with its earning potential. Clinical social workers usually earn higher salaries than their direct service peers, but they also spend more time and money on training. Students who worry about the cost of a graduate degree may consider earning an MSW online, as online programs tend to cost less than on-campus programs.
Perhaps most importantly, aspiring social workers should think about their motivation and what attracts them to social work. If helping children find safe homes drives you to become a social worker, then you may consider pursuing direct social work. Likewise, those who prefer the idea of helping people cope with mental health conditions or substance use disorder can invest in a master's degree and clinical license.
Salary Comparison for Clinical and Direct Services Social Work
As social workers advance their education, they typically earn higher salaries. Licensed clinical social workers report higher salaries than MSW-prepared social workers, while social workers with an MSW earn more than BSW-prepared social workers.
Clinical social workers fall into the LCSW category, while direct services social workers may hold a BSW or an MSW.
| Experience | LCSW Salary | MSW Social Worker Salary | BSW Social Worker Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Career 1-4 years of experience |
$61,000 | $54,000 | $43,000 |
| Mid-Career 5-9 years of experience |
$68,000 | $58,000 | $53,000 |
| Experienced 10-19 years of experience |
$72,000 | $65,000 | $52,000 |
| Late-Career 20+ years of experience |
$75,000 | $67,000 | $60,000 |
Resources for Clinical and Direct Services Social Workers
- Clinical Social Work Association: CSWA is one of many professional organizations that provides current and prospective social workers with career resources, including advocacy, networking, and industry news.
- National Association of Social Workers: NASW is the biggest organization for social workers in the United States. Members can access continuing education opportunities and networking resources, and most states have local chapters.
- Council on Social Work Education: CSWE is the accrediting body for social work schools. Members can find accredited clinical social work programs, news about education, local meetings for social work students and professors, and the council's policy positions.
- Association of Social Work Boards: ASWB administers the testing for social work licenses. Members can access study materials and practice exams to help them prepare.
- Society for Social Work and Research: Social work students and professionals who want to stay up-to-date with the latest research benefit from SSWR, which encourages research to further the mission of social work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clinical Social Work and Direct Services Social Work
What is direct service in social work?
Direct service in social work refers to face-to-face practice with clients, which can include case management, advocacy, and coordinator roles. Unlike clinical social work, direct services social work does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. As a result, direct services careers may not require a social work license, and entry-level roles may only require a bachelor's degree.
What is the difference between clinical and direct services social work?
Clinical and direct services social work both involve in-depth interactions with clients. While clinical social work can include psychotherapy and diagnostic responsibilities, direct services social work focuses on case management, advocacy, and connecting clients with services. Clinical social workers typically need additional education and experience to meet licensure requirements.
What is the role of a direct service practitioner?
A direct service practitioner provides services to clients, typically face-to-face. In the social work field, this includes child welfare advocates, healthcare services coordinators, and case managers who connect clients with services. While clinical practitioners also work directly with clients, they require a clinical license to provide psychotherapy services.
What is the difference between a clinical social worker and a regular social worker?
A clinical social worker can diagnose mental health conditions, design treatment plans, and provide psychotherapy services. Non-clinical social workers advocate for clients and connect them with services, but they do not provide diagnostic or therapy services. Clinical social workers need a state-issued license and an MSW to practice.