Social Workers are graduates of nationally accredited schools of social work and are uniquely trained to help people in their environment, looking at all dimensions of the individual's life and culture. They bring special skills to the treatment of root causes that negatively affect people. This “total person” approach means providing specific therapies, navigating fragmented support systems and coordinating a continuum of care that extends from prevention to recovery. Social workers understand complex support systems and how to link people to the resources they need.

In Nebraska, as well as most all other states, the tite, "Social Worker" legally identifies a professional with a bachelor's (BSW), master's (MSW), or post-graduate (DSW) degree in social work. In addition to holding one of the aforementioned professional degrees from a nationally accredited social work education program, any person who wishes to represent herself/himself as social worker in Nebraska also must be credentialed through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Regulation and Licensure (172 NAC 94).

Nebraska’s social work credentials include:

 Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP). To be certified as an LMHP, a social worker must have a MSW, 3,000 hours post-graduate clinical experience and a passing score on the national clinical exam.
 Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW). The CMSW license requires at least an MSW and 3,000 hours post-graduate supervised experience by a certified master social worker. The CMSW must pass the national advanced exam, or if he or she wishes to provide mental health services, the clinical exam.
 Certified Social Worker (CSW). The CSW requires a BSW degree. CSW's cannot provide mental health services.

Nebraska Colleges with accredited social work programs

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Programs
 Chadron State College: www.csc.edu/graduate/CPSW.html
Creighton University: http://puffin.creighton.edu/Swk/index.htm
Dana College: www.dana.edu/socialwork
Nebraska Wesleyan University: www.nebrwesleyan.edu/academics/socialwork/index.hph
Union College: http://www.ucollege.edu/ucscripts/public/template/default.asp?DivID=1&pgID=240
University of Nebraska at Omaha: http://socialwork.unomaha.edu/

Mater of Social Work (MSW) Programs
University of Nebraska at Omaha: http://socialwork.unomaha.edu/

Professional Association

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership association for professional social workers in the world, with 150,000 members in the United States and overseas. www.socialworkers.org
The NASW, Nebraska Chapter (NASW-NE) has more than 550 members. www.naswne.org

The mission of the NASW is to strengthen and support social workers and those served by the social work profession through advocacy, professional development, networking and public education.

If you would like to know more about Social Workers in Nebraska please call 402-477-7344 or email naswne@assocoffice.net or contact Rhonda Himberger, NASW-NE Treasure at 402-896-3884 or email Himberger@cox.net.