I guess I have a few questions. First, when it comes to getting a job as an LPC, does it matter what grad school I attend? Is it like law school where the school ranking is very important in finding a job? I'm going to be applying to schools in a few months and would like to know if the prestige of the program is important. Regardless, I'm not going to be going to Harvard or anywhere such as that. And how is the job market for an LPC? I read on one of the threads that someone already in the profession is never out of a job more than a week or two, but I'm curious as to the experiences of others.
Does the grad school matter?
- Thread starter siidman
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LPC salaries are pretty low on average, 30-40K from what i've seen. Its not enough to live on comfortably after going to graduate school. Most job postings want MSW's or sometimes MFT. I rarely see a job posting for an LPC specifically.
I've been looking at what jobs are out there for LPC's and I haven't found one that pays less than 24dollars/hr. which I believe is about 46k. I saw quite a few that paid 50k, and they required 1yr of experience. Maybe I'm wrong.
I'm playing with the idea of going to grad school for clincal mental health counseling because it's something I want to do. The money isn't a big deal since my wife is an air traffic controller and makes about 100k/year. I was a controller in the Navy and have the immediate option of continuing on as a controller in the FAA as well, but I have the opportunity to do whatever I want, so money isn't a big deciding factor here. But on the other hand, if that is actually true that I could only expect to make 30-40k/yr then I'll just go and make 100+/yr and work towards this on the side and maybe do it after I retire. I just want to get all the facts on the table before making a decision.
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LPC assuming that is the license in your state should be considered on the same function/level as an LCSW & MFT, assuming your state has those licenses too. However the reality is that jobs sway to hire LCSW or MFT since those licenses are more prevalent on a state to state basis than LPC (my opinion). Here in CA, they are beginning an LPC type license but my feeling is that LCSW and MFT would have seniority for awhile.
Since you mention that you want to do mental health counseling the other two licenses from what I understand are very much qualified to do that also. I speak without bias (or try to since I am an MSW) psychiatric/mental health social workers provide the most mental health services in the country. If you want to go with the mental health track I suggest you look into getting an MSW -> LCSW. Many MSW schools have a specific track called mental health/direct practice/community mental health. I can't speak directly about MFT, but I worked at a clinic with MFTI and those individuals appeared to me to be very competent and well matched to the agency and job function, so I would say MFT would be a good bet also. However, understand when you do leave mental health, there are jobs are are MSW/LCSW only as mandated by medical (major source of funds for agencies), e.g. Some VA, Hospices, Hospitals, Child Welfare positions,etc. Good luck
-Eco
Since you mention that you want to do mental health counseling the other two licenses from what I understand are very much qualified to do that also. I speak without bias (or try to since I am an MSW) psychiatric/mental health social workers provide the most mental health services in the country. If you want to go with the mental health track I suggest you look into getting an MSW -> LCSW. Many MSW schools have a specific track called mental health/direct practice/community mental health. I can't speak directly about MFT, but I worked at a clinic with MFTI and those individuals appeared to me to be very competent and well matched to the agency and job function, so I would say MFT would be a good bet also. However, understand when you do leave mental health, there are jobs are are MSW/LCSW only as mandated by medical (major source of funds for agencies), e.g. Some VA, Hospices, Hospitals, Child Welfare positions,etc. Good luck
-Eco
