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I am preparing to apply to graduate school, and I want to become a therapist, either in private practice, or a hospital/university health center setting. I am unsure whether a counseling psychology/psychology master's program or a master's of social work program would better suit my needs, and which would make me more desirable/competitive in the job market. Do both programs qualify one to practice? Basically, what is the difference between these programs? Also, if anyone knows of some particularly good ones, that info would be appreciated as well. So far, some programs I have looked at are Northwestern University Master's in Counseling Psychology, SUNY at Albany Master's of Mental Health Counseling, Temple University Master's of Counseling Psychology, NYU Master's of Psychology, NYU Master's of Social Work. They all seem to be similar, yet they have different names and are offered by different departments. Please advise!
I have also noticed that some programs offer an A.M. degree instead of an MSW degree. For instance, the program at University of Chicago offers the A.M. degree. They say that it is the same thing, but I am not sure. Here is what it says on their website: "A.M. is the Latin abbreviation for a Master of Arts degree. It is equivalent to an M.S.W. degree. It is considered equivalent by the National Association of Social Workers, and SSA has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and its predecessors since 1919. You can become a licensed clinical social worker with an A.M. degree." Is this legit? What degrees allow you to practice independently?
MA = AM; AM = MA
Some schools, like UMich, Chicago, and Harvard, award some degrees using the Latin abbreviation; it's a vestige from a bygone era that reeks of elitism. An AB = BA. There is no difference. Interestingly, some degrees are always abbreviated in Latin rather than English. Example: PhD, MD, JD. PhD = Philosophae Doctor (Dr of Phil); MD = Medicinae Doctor (English = Doctor of Medicine); JD = Juris Doctor (English = Doctor of Law). If you spelled out MD in English, it would be DM not MD. JD would be DJ. PhD = DPhil. For some reason, many degrees were kept in the Latin form, whereas other degrees were Anglicized (e.g., Master of Arts, Master of Social Work, Master of Business Admin).
I do not think ANY school of social work grants an MA or MS. Some grant an MSSW rather than an MSW, but those degrees are the same. An MA and an MSW are both master's degrees and are equal in that regard, but they are not the same degree. In some states, an MA in psych, counseling, or counseling psych can qualify for a SW license. Read up on your state's credentials requirement for SW license. Usually, an MSW will NOT qualify for a limited psychology license, however. Some MA's will for a SW license.
If you're interested in SW, earn an MSW, make sure its accredited, and you should be fine.
I think you're referring to the bolded part below?I am curious about your statements regarding MA's makingone available for an SW license like the LCSW. Where have you seen this? My understanding was that SW licensing laws were pretty strict, and that you HAVE to have an MSW (or MSSW or MS in social work as the case may be) in order to be an LCSW. Is this not the case? If so, where?
I do not think ANY school of social work grants an MA or MS. Some grant an MSSW rather than an MSW, but those degrees are the same. An MA and an MSW are both master's degrees and are equal in that regard, but they are not the same degree. In some states, an MA in psych, counseling, or counseling psych can qualify for a SW license. Read up on your state's credentials requirement for SW license. Usually, an MSW will NOT qualify for a limited psychology license, however. Some MA's will for a SW license.
If you're interested in SW, earn an MSW, make sure its accredited, and you should be fine.
Columbia offers an MS degree in social work, and from what I can see its treated exactly the same as an MSW.
I am curious about your statements regarding MA's makingone available for an SW license like the LCSW. Where have you seen this? My understanding was that SW licensing laws were pretty strict, and that you HAVE to have an MSW (or MSSW or MS in social work as the case may be) in order to be an LCSW. Is this not the case? If so, where?
I'm a psychiatrist in Michigan and when I worked in CMH, I had some master's level co-workers who were given social work registry with an MA (in psych and counseling). In Michigan, there are three levels of SW licensing:
1) LMSW - master's level, full
2) LBSW - bachelor's level, partial
3) RSW - registered SW, partial.
I believe for the RSW, you need a BSW or master's in a related field. The point is, one could be John Doe, MA, RSW, LPC. I'm not sure what this credential actually allows for, but I'm assuming it does not allow for full reimbursement.
Also, I have seen some full licensed SWs with MA degrees in a few states, including Michigan, but I never asked them about their training. I did know they did not possess an MSW, however.
I apologize for speaking in absolutes, but to the best of my knowledge, the MSW or MSSW is the ONLY master's level SW degree. An MS or MA is NOT a SW degree. A DSW is a rare advanced degree above the MSW. If Columbia grants the MS in SW, I would be surprised as it is not recognized as a conventional SW degree.
Think MBA vs. MS in mgt. MBA sounds better and is better recognized. I would imagine any program that granted an MS or MA would not be accredited by whatever body accredits SW programs. If it was, why not grant the conventional MSW?
I did not know about those licenses, I've never even heard of them before. From my understanding their is a clarification of licenses and licensure requirements within the NASW right now (I believe NY has made some big changes already, from what I have read) so I'm not sure how long this will continue.
I can assure you that Columbias MS program is treated the same as an MSW. I have spoken with people in the field who are either from Columbia, or know people from Columbia, and I have visited the school and spoken with people their, and they have all vouched for the degree as a legitimate masters degree that is completely accredited with NASW and can lead to an LCSW license (depending on if you pick the clinical track and take the proper courses, which they offer). I would not be considering this program if it wasn't legitimate, and I do my homework
why not get your master's and then do psy d?