7 Tips for Choosing the Right Continuing Education Courses for Social Workers
When it comes to refining your skills and expanding your knowledge in Social Work, you can’t underestimate the value of continuing education! But with so many courses out there, where do you even start?
The good news? We’ve got your back! This guide is packed with 7 tips for choosing the right Continuing Education courses. Let’s dive in!
Did you know? Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 200+ ASWB and NBCC-approved online CE courses and 25+ Live Events per year for one annual fee to meet your state’s requirements for Continuing Education credits and level up your career.
We’ve helped more than 100,000 Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals with exam prep and Continuing Education. Learn more here about Agents of Change and claim your 7.5 free CEUs.
Quick answer: how to choose the right CE courses
- Start with your goals and your state’s renewal requirements, including ethics or other required hours.
- Confirm approval (for example, ASWB ACE for Social Workers or NBCC for Counselors) and that your board accepts it.
- Pick a format that fits your life: self-paced, live online, in-person, or a mix.
- Look for practical, interactive content taught by experienced instructors.
- Compare value, not just price, and try free courses before you commit.
Jump to: The 7 Tips at a Glance · Career Goals · Approval · Format · Interactive Learning · Budget · Mentorship · Feedback · FAQs
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The 7 Tips at a Glance
| Tip | Key Question to Ask |
|---|---|
| 1. Align with your career goals | Will this course move me toward where I want to be in 3 to 5 years? |
| 2. Check approval and reputation | Is the provider approved, and will my licensing board accept the credits? |
| 3. Consider flexibility and format | Does the format fit my schedule and how I like to learn? |
| 4. Look for interactive learning | Will I practice and apply skills, not just listen? |
| 5. Compare value, not just price | What do I actually get for the cost? |
| 6. Seek mentorship opportunities | Can I connect with experienced professionals? |
| 7. Look for feedback and assessment | How will I know I’ve learned the material? |
Tip 1: Align Courses with Your Career Goals
The field of Social Work is as diverse as it is dynamic. From Clinical Social Work to administration, from child welfare to Substance Use counseling, the possibilities are vast! That range is exciting, but it can make it hard to decide where to invest your learning.
Ask yourself, “Where do I see myself in five years?” or “What part of my job lights up my day?” Think about areas that resonate with you, such as mental health, working with veterans, school Social Work, or policy advocacy. Every Social Worker also has that one client or moment that stuck with them. Revisiting those moments can point you toward what you’re genuinely passionate about.
It also helps to stay aware of trends in the field, like telehealth, integrated care, and growing demand in areas such as school and behavioral health services.
Quick Steps
- Jot down 3 to 5 career goals. These can include roles you want, the impact you hope to make, or the work-life balance you’re aiming for.
- Match each goal with relevant courses. Look for courses that build the skills or knowledge each goal requires.
- Check your requirements. Make sure your plan also covers any required topics, such as ethics hours. Learn the difference in Core Hours vs. Related Hours.
- Seek guidance. Talk with mentors, supervisors, or colleagues who’ve walked the path you’re considering.
It’s okay if your goals change over time. What matters is keeping your education aligned with where you want to go. For a full walkthrough, see Creating Your Social Work Continuing Education Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Tip 2: Check Approval and Reputation
You don’t want to spend your time and money on a course your licensing board won’t accept. Approval isn’t just paperwork. It means the course meets set standards.
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Provider approval | For Social Workers, ASWB ACE approval is widely accepted. For Counselors, look for NBCC approval. Some states have their own approval rules. |
| Your state board’s rules | Each board sets its own hours, required topics, and accepted providers. Always confirm before you enroll. |
| Credit type | Make sure the course counts for the category you need, such as ethics, clinical, or general hours. |
| Certificate details | Your certificate should list the provider, approval number, course title, date, and hours. |
Agents of Change, #1919, is approved as an ACE provider to offer Social Work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Agents of Change is also an NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP #7620).
Learn about your state’s requirements here: State Level Requirements for Continuing Education.
Dig Deeper into Reputation
- Peer insights: Colleagues who’ve taken a course or used a provider can share honest experiences.
- Online reviews and forums: These can be helpful, but take extremely positive or negative reviews with a grain of salt.
- Instructor backgrounds: Look for instructors with a blend of academic knowledge and real-world practice experience.
- Course details: Clear learning objectives, an outline, and accurate credit information are good signs.
Tip 3: Consider Flexibility and Format
Continuing education has changed a lot. Today you can choose from many formats, so the key is finding what fits your schedule and how you learn best.
| Format | Best For | Keep in Mind |
|---|---|---|
| Self-paced online (asynchronous) | Busy schedules; learning anytime, anywhere | Requires self-motivation |
| Live online (synchronous) | Real-time interaction from home | Scheduled at set times; some states treat live hours differently |
| In-person | Face-to-face networking and hands-on practice | Travel time and cost |
| Hybrid | A mix of flexibility and live connection | Make sure both parts are approved for credit |
Also consider course length. Is it a short course you can finish in an afternoon, or a series spread over weeks? Decide based on how much time you can realistically commit each week. Short, focused lessons can also help. Some states set limits on self-paced or home-study hours, so check your board’s rules.
Tip 4: Look for Interactive and Hands-on Learning
Remember those long lectures where you’d zone out and doodle in your notebook? Continuing education has moved beyond that. When you actively work with the material, it’s easier to remember and apply it in practice.
| Feature | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Discussion and Q&A | Live sessions or forums where you can ask questions and hear from peers |
| Quizzes and knowledge checks | Quick feedback on what you understand and what to review |
| Practice scenarios | Examples that ask you to apply concepts to realistic situations |
| Workshops | Focused sessions to build specific skills, like a counseling technique or documentation |
| Practical tools | Worksheets, templates, and handouts you can use with clients |
Interactive features should support the core content, not replace it. A well-rounded course balances the fundamentals with chances to apply them.
Tip 5: Budget-Friendly Doesn’t Mean Lower Quality
The cost of continuing education can feel like a roadblock. But a higher price tag doesn’t always mean higher quality. Brand names, facilities, and marketing can all drive up the price. Focus on the content, the instructors, and whether the credits will count.
- Compare options: Don’t just choose the first course you find. Compare what each includes against its cost.
- Do the math: If you need many hours, compare paying per course with an unlimited-access option.
- Look for support: Ask whether your employer reimburses CE, and look for discounts or payment plans.
- Try free courses: Free CE from an approved provider lets you test the quality before you commit. Free university courses can build knowledge, but usually don’t count for CE credit.
- Check what’s included: Handouts, certificates, and on-demand access all add value.
Be careful of options that seem too good to be true. If a course is extremely cheap and promises a lot, check that it’s approved and that your board will accept it.
Learn about free Continuing Education options from Agents of Change here. Free options include:
| Free Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| AI for Mental Health Professionals | 3 Ethics CE credits |
| ChatGPT and AI for Social Workers and Mental Health Professionals | 3 CE credits |
| Powerful Home-School Partnerships | 1.5 CE credits |
Tip 6: Seek Mentorship Opportunities
Choosing courses and building your career can feel like navigating a maze without a map. A mentor can share their experience, give feedback specific to you, and help you find your way.
| Benefit | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Personalized feedback | Mentors can identify your strengths, areas to grow, and next steps. |
| Networking | Mentors can introduce you to colleagues and opportunities you may not know about. |
| Practice wisdom | Courses teach the “what,” while mentors help with the “how,” like handling tough situations and ethical decisions. |
Look for learning opportunities that connect you with experienced professionals, such as live webinars with Q&A, workshops, consultation groups, and professional association events. Agents of Change Continuing Education offers 25+ live CE events each year where you can ask instructors questions in real time.
Building a mentoring relationship takes effort. Engage actively, be open to feedback, and respect your mentor’s time. Mentorship adds to your learning, but it doesn’t replace solid training.
Tip 7: Look for Feedback and Assessment
Feedback isn’t a one-time thing. It’s a cycle: learn, check your understanding, get feedback, adjust, and keep learning.
- Knowledge checks: Quizzes and post-tests show what you’ve learned and what to review.
- Clear explanations: Good feedback explains why an answer is right or wrong, not just whether it is.
- Self-assessment: Reflection questions help you connect what you learned to your own practice.
- Formative and summative checks: Formative checks (like quizzes during a course) guide learning along the way. Summative checks (like a final post-test) measure overall understanding.
Not all feedback will be positive, and that’s okay! Constructive feedback is one of the best ways to grow. View it as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block.
FAQs: Choosing the Right Continuing Education Courses
I’ve been out of school for a while. Should I start with advanced courses or refresher courses?
Start with an honest self-assessment. What do you use every day, and where do you feel rusty? Peers and supervisors can also help. There’s no harm in starting with foundational courses. A solid base makes advanced learning more useful.
How can continuing education help me specialize or switch areas?
Start with introductory courses in the area you’re interested in. They build foundational knowledge and help you decide whether it’s a good fit before you invest more. Connecting with instructors and peers in that specialty can also open doors.
I’m swamped. How can I fit continuing education into my schedule?
- Prioritize: Know why you’re taking the course and when your renewal deadline is.
- Break it down: Even 20 minutes a day adds up over time.
- Use your calendar: Schedule CE time like any other appointment.
- Engage actively: Take notes, discuss ideas with colleagues, or try a new skill with a client.
- Seek support: Share your goals with people who can cheer you on. Consistency beats intensity!
How do I know if my state will accept a course?
Check your state licensing board’s rules for approved providers, required topics, and any limits on online or self-paced hours. Our state requirements guide is a helpful starting point, but your board has the final word.
Conclusion
Choosing the right continuing education course is like choosing the right path on a journey, and the journey matters as much as the destination! By following these 7 tips, you’re not just investing in your career. You’re also enriching the lives of the people you serve. Happy learning!
Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education. We’ve helped more than 100,000 Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals with exam prep and Continuing Education and want to help you next!
► Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education here: https://agentsofchangeprep.com/continuing-education/
About the Lead Instructor, Dr. Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing Continuing Education for Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals for more than 10 years. From all of this experience helping others, she created Agents of Change Continuing Education to help Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals stay up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and techniques.
Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Written by Agents of Change
Agents of Change will help you prepare to PASS your licensing exam and level up your career. With over 30 hours of visual and audio content, mock practice questions, test-taking tips, and strategies to break down and synthesize exam content, you will be prepared and confident to tackle your exam on test day!
