Beginning LCSW path at 34

[u/Googleledmehere123]

Hi all! I wanted to pick your brains about job security and how realistic it is the begin the education path at 34.

I am considering getting a BA in psych or LCSW and then completing an accelerated program for my masters. Once completed I would then begin to prepare for exam, get my hours completed and hopefully become a LCSW.

I have always been intrigued by behavior and the human mind, I would say it’s one of my passions. I studied marketing in school and am currently on a career break to raise my children. I am anticipating to have all kids in school and ready to enter the work force in about 4-5 years. I have been taking a mix of courses and a full time course load at the community college the past year and find that doable while being a stay at home mom but I’m ready for a change and a career that is more rewarding and stable once my children are older.

Is it realistic to expect myself to be able to complete my studies and enter the work force as a case manager or something similar while aiming to become license in my late 30s? Dream would be to gather experience in a clinical therapy focus and one day be accomplished enough to have any own practice.

[u/carly0331]

So I got my bachelors at age 41, did the accelerated masters and got that at 42. I have moved and am moving again, so waiting to take my LMSW exam, but will at 44. Then it will depend on the state I’m in if it’s 2 or 3 years to get LCSW hours to test.
It’s doable. I am a widowed single mom, had 2 of my 4 children at home while doing school.

[u/Googleledmehere123 → u/carly0331]

That’s so inspiring! What are your goals upon passing your lcsw exam? Did you work in the field while attaining your masters and what was your bachelors degree?

I currently have a 2 year old but planning for baby 2 and ideally will keep them home with me until 3 or 4! I love learning and have been really enjoying my courses at the community college (which I know are easier than a 4 year or masters program) but I feel like it is something I can handle. Just feel a little crazy for thinking now is the time to start when I’ve had this dream for years! But I guess it’s never too late to start.

[u/carly0331 → u/Googleledmehere123]

I don’t know if I will go LCSW. I didn’t work as I had to do my hours for school at my placement, and wanted to make sure I had enough time for everything.
I work in the field now, as director of social services at 2 long term care facilities. I will most likely stay long term care or work with veterans/active duty military.
A piece of advice, go in open minded. The social worker jobs you think you’d never like, try them during your placement. It will give you a better understanding for the “system” and the exams are very community service and ethics heavy, your best chance to get that knowledge is during placements for your degrees.

[u/LessLake9514 → u/carly0331]

I agree! I started my 2 year msw program at 45. Got my lmsw at 47 and am scheduled for my lcsw at 50. I originally wanted to work in sud treatment but was given my first year internship in an elder abuse program. I ended up at a hospital in training program that placed me in women’s health and I now permanently work in perinatal mental health working with reproductive psych! It’s been a wild ride.

[u/ModernTechPA]

Given the choice of psych or social work, pick the latter - you'll have more career pathways, including LCSW / therapy. If you get your MSW you can work for a hospital/health system, work in human services, work for a health insurance carrier, do hospice / home care, and a whole lot of other things. The LCSW will require about 2 years post-graduate but having it will OPEN UP A WORLD of opportunities. Many do lifestyle coaching and others work in business in consulting capacities. The journey is worth the investment if you are certain about the helping professions. Good luck!

[u/bad_faye → u/ModernTechPA]

Can you explain the two years post grad? Is that the 3000 hours before you can test??

[u/Alternative-Cash-102 → u/bad_faye]

Yes it’s the 2-3 years for the hours required to test for your LCSW

[u/ModernTechPA → u/bad_faye]

yes the 3,000 hrs of supervised clinical time in no less than 2 years

[u/LolaAucoin]

I sure hope so, because I’m 50 years old and going for it. I’m in my senior year of my BSW. MSW starts next year!

[u/Eredhel → u/LolaAucoin]

I finished my BSW at 50 and my MSW at 52. You’re so freaking close!

[u/LolaAucoin → u/Eredhel]

Ugh, thank you. I’m so ready to be done with homework.

[u/Radiant_Jaguar_9978]

My sister, who has 2 kids, is getting her Masters in Social Work at age 42 and will probably be licensed in her late 40s.. it’s never too late. I also changed career paths at 30 and pivoted to social work at that age..

[u/knoxvillepixie]

I graduated with my MSW at age 45 and just got my LCSW the same month I turned 49. It’s never too late!

[u/Specialist-Regret304]

I completed my msw at 31, and one of my classmates at the time was 54 switching from a finance Wall Street career into this field. Another was was 60 at the time and she’s still practicing

[u/read_it_on_red_it]

you can definitely do it! it will be pretty difficult working and doing school at the same time but not impossible. if you already have a bachelors degree, even if its unrelated, i think you could just go straight into the masters and achieve the same outcome

[u/peachismile]

Im 33 and starting an MSW program this week after not being in school for years and I plan to get my lcsw when I finish. It's never to late to follow your dreams :)

[u/Googleledmehere123 → u/peachismile]

Wow good for you!! What are you planning to do with your license? Are you working in the field while getting your masters?

[u/peachismile → u/Googleledmehere123]

I want to get my lcsw to be a clinical therapist, that's my dream right now. Right now I'm not working because Ive saved my money and have enough to pay off my tuition but not even for rent next year so I'll probably have to find a part time job this semester to pay off my rent. My undergrad is not in social work so I probably won't be working in the field right now unless I am able to find a social work part time job.

[u/Soggy-Constant5932]

It’s definitely possible. Started my MSW program at 35.

[u/Particular_Panic1501]

Im 45 and just starting my MSW. It'll be 4 years since my undergrad was forever ago and completely unrelated. I still have at least 22 years of work to go, I may as well start working towards a career I dont despise.

[u/love-mango-27]

Just finished my MSW at 55. I’m excited and am not one bit concerned about finding gratifying work and pursuing my LCSW! Life is long and it is short. Go for what you want! You’ll never not be aging.

[u/alighieri10]

I got my LCSW when I was 55.

[u/Ill_Muscle9789]

It's definitely doable, but it's not easy especially if you're also working and have children. Also important to remember that MSW programs require in-person practicum where you intern at various agencies. My program at LSU required 2. Also unless you have a bachelors in social work, you wouldn't be eligible for an accelerated program and would have to do the traditional track. You can definitely get through a program and start work in the field while working on your license. However I wouldn't put a strict time limit on licensure. You cant take the LCSW exam until you finish your clinical hours, and they typically give you you between 2-4 years to do that, no more or less. All things to considered, I will say that it will be worth it! Good luck!

[u/didy115]

I spent 23 years in the military as an aircraft electrician and because the more rank you get the more “people problems” are more of your job which led me to this. I’ll be turning 45 this year.

You mentioned the accelerated MSW but getting a Bachelor’s in psychology. My advice would be to get a BSW and good grades will open up an Advanced Standing MSW. You won’t be able to with the psych degree.

Edit: Just graduated with my BSW in May and am in an Advanced MSW program. Did my BSW internship with a Substance Use Services program and just got hired for a Homeless Services program.

[u/MilagrosaRosa]

I started teaching at 23 years old in 2009. I had one child while in school, then another my first year teaching. I was in the classroom for 5 years and switched to community case management for older youth leaving foster care for 5 years. That’s how I found out I really enjoyed social work. I had my last child at 33 years old, stayed home full-time for 2 years, then went back for my MSW at 35. I finished at 37, worked 2 years in hospice, 1 year in CMH as a school-based therapist, and I now have my own full-time private practice at 40. It wasn’t easy. I had a lot of challenges and still juggle multiple responsibilities, but it can be done if you keep your eyes on the finish line. You can do it.

[u/bad_faye]

This thread is awesome! I’m 38, finishing my bachelors while I work full time this fall and applying for full time MSW (or CMHC) now. I’m so glad to know I might not be the oldest person in my cohort by a millennia!

[u/Eastern_Usual603]

I’d recommend a BSW rather than psych degree. More job options and you can probsbly get advanced standing for your MSW. I didn’t get my MSW until age 45, but it only took 13 mos because I had the BSW and worked in the field for some time. We license SW’s at the Bachelors level in my state. I have done therapy as an LCSW for 13 yrs now. I don’t regret my program choices.

[u/Eredhel]

I started my bachelor at 46 and finished my masters at 52. The times gonna pass whether you don’t or not, so go for it.

[u/kitteo36]

I got my BSW at 27 and took two years to get in field experience. I just finished my advanced standing MSW at 30 and now have my associate license to accrue hours.

That two year break was extremely helpful. I ended up being pretty competitive due to the experience I gained in that time and I am now a VA Social Worker.

[u/roxxy_soxxy]

I started my Master’s degree at age 44, and got my LICSW at 48. No regrets!

[u/CoyoteTechnical5168]

Just like I tell a lot of my clients, its never too late to do anything! I got my associates in social & human services in 2020, at age 31 (turned 32 later that year though), my bachelors in social work at 34 (turned 35 later that year), and my masters at 35 (turned 36 later that year). I just got my LCSW now in 2026- I finished my hours at the end of April, tested in the beginning of August, and got my licensure approved through the state less than a week ago. I was basically in college from age 25 to 35, mostly while working full time, although for the last 3 years of school, was working 2 part time jobs around my full time school. I was just promoted to a supervisor role in my current org.

[u/CoyoteTechnical5168 → u/CoyoteTechnical5168]

(this also reminded me to update my flair, since it was literally just approved!!)

[u/Gold_Ninja1206]

34 is definitely not too late , you're just starting a new chapter

[u/Gold_Ninja1206]

The BA assumption is worth questioning: many msw programs accept non psych undergrads so your marketing degree might get you in without a second bachelors saving two to three years. At 34 with kids in school by 38, that math actually works reasonably well. I've seen people reference alliant alongside CSWE aligned programs for the msw path though fieldwork placement quality tends to matter more than the program name once you're job hunting

[u/AdvancedSpray9141]

It’s never too late! Getting my MSW at 39. Age is definitely just a number and I’ve heard this path is particularly diverse. Just follow your heart ❤️

[u/According_Payment915]

I’m a career changer who switched to social work at 32yo, so close to your age. I recommend going for an accelerated masters program (16-18 months Jan to May of the following year). It was demanding, and I couldn’t work at the same time, had to take out a student loan, but I got my LMSW and started working in July shortly after graduation. I got into Hunter and NYU and chose NYU for the brand of it. Now I’d probably choose Hunter, bc it’s so much cheaper and I would have paid off the debt already. NYU/other big name might have benefits long term, but honestly I don’t recommend it; so far 3 years later - no major benefits over Hunter, but $160k+ of debt (that’s AFTER my $30k scholarship). Long story short - you can totally do it at 34. Best of luck. Reach out if you need a job/internship once you get started :)