MSW or MA?

[chloe333]

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I'm trying to decide between pursuing a MSW or an MA in counseling psychology. Can someone please comment on the benefits/pitfalls of each one?

(I'd really like to work with children, but I'm not sure if I want to do only counseling. Working in a school type of setting also appeals to me. If I get an MA, I could later go for a PsyD and then do assessments. After an MA I could also get a guidance counselor certificate. But the reason I was drawn to MSW is because it is so diverse with so many different options. But it appears that a lot of the work is with underprivileged populations, areas and circumstances..... )

 

[chloe333]

Hello everyone,
I've missed the MSW deadlines. I don't know if I should wait another year to apply, or if I should just start at the MA in counseling psychology program this summer. I've always heard how the MSW is more versitile. Is it still true these days??
The thing is, is that I don't particularly want to do mental health counseling per se. I love psychology, but I don't know if I'd have enough confidence to actually do mental health counseling with people. I would, however, love to do some sort of testing (I understand I wouldn't be able to do what PhDs do), and I'd really enjoy working in college advising, for example. Or am I still better off persuing a MSW and thus potentially having more options open?
It's also scary to think that there may not be any jobs after I graduate from either program.

 

[erg923]

MSW programs do not proide any substantive training in formal psychometric testing. That is still the domain of doctoral-level psychologists. Those with bachleor degees can work as psychometrist under a psychologist however. However, this is solely administration and scoring. The psychologists/neuropsychologist does the fun part-interpretation and report writing, so many people only do this for a few years (often before moving on to grad school). Few make a career out of it. Also, you are testing humans here, not brains with legs and not robots. Anyone who works with those with neurologic and/or psychiatric problems in a clinical context needs to be well trained in basic clinical skills and interventions.

 

[FountainOfYouth]

I have a similar question, so I'll bump up this thread. I wish someone could clarify the difference between social work and counseling.

 

[Schooled]

I did an MSW before going on to a PhD in School Psychology. An MA in Psych does not make you more competitive necessarily. In fact, a lot of programs are looking for intellectual diversity. While not a huge factor in acceptance, having a degree in a slightly related field (MSW, MPH, etc) can give you a different perspective that admissions committees will be interested in. It might give your personal statement and interview a flavor MA psychs might not have. However, this flavor will not overshadow UG GPA, GRE, personal statement, etc.

MSW and similar masters programs will give you both field and research experience. Actually, this is more program specific rather than discipline specific. Make sure your masters program has a hefty and well supported field and research component.

Another thing to consider is what will happen if you don't get a PsyD or PhD. In my area in Texas (and from what I've heard, all of Texas) the LCSW (MSW + 2 years of clinical experience) is WAY more marketable than the LPC. In fact, a search on simplyhired.com or monsterjobs.com will reveal that LCSWs and PhD/PsyDs often compete for similar positions.

Anyway... on to what you get in an MSW...

MSW education is VERY broad. Now, this is both a pro and a con. The pro is that you learn a lot stuff. You get some business administration training (non-profit oriented of course), abnormal psychology, sociological theory, community intervention, ethics, law...SO MUCH! The con is that you don't go deep in these areas. You could personally, but the courses won’t. Now, to be sure, you will select a concentration and that will allow you to go deeper in one area. The concentrations are typical micro/clinical or macro/community. Micro will be your concentration if you want to do counseling. However, again, it won't go as deep as the MA Psych. Some people in micro concentration want to work in adoption and CPS so they can't just gear it to all therapy and diagnosing. Macro concentration is more about non profit business/social service administration, community advocacy, and social justice.

You mentioned underprivileged populations. The PURPOSE of the profession is to serve underprivileged populations. Now, does every LCSW work in rural areas or poorer counties? No, but that is the orientation of the profession.

Another thing to consider…

The role of social workers in school VS. psych counselors are very different. Some school districts won’t hire social workers to be in counselor positions. Some districts only hire LSSPs (School Psychology masters). You need to look into that for your area. Typically, in schools, social workers do a lot more macro stuff. They work with families and students trying to get them resources (tutors for free, free lunch, clothes, etc); basically you hook them up with social services.

Well I hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions. I encourage you to ask a clinical psych professor and a social work professor. They can give you more information particular to your area.

 

[UofMNPsych]

I'm trying to decide between pursuing a MSW or an MA in counseling psychology. Can someone please comment on the benefits/pitfalls of each one?

(I'd really like to work with children, but I'm not sure if I want to do only counseling. Working in a school type of setting also appeals to me. If I get an MA, I could later go for a PsyD and then do assessments. After an MA I could also get a guidance counselor certificate. But the reason I was drawn to MSW is because it is so diverse with so many different options. But it appears that a lot of the work is with underprivileged populations, areas and circumstances..... )

You can get an MSW, which I think is infinitely more practical that an MA in psych (trust me, I have one), and you will be able to do the same kind of work. You don't need an MA in psych to do a Psy.D. (only in some programs is this actually the case), so if you decide you want to do a Psy.D. later, more power to you.

Good luck.

 

[Schooled]

MSW is more versatile than MA Psych. You can work in a variety of settings to a variety of capacities. However, like erg said, they don't do testing.

Also, what do you mean by college advising? Academic advising is usually done by professors. Do you mean counseling in a university setting or career counseling? If so, yes, a social worker CAN do these things, but its specific to the university and what they prefer.

About jobs...

They say people always need social workers and there is a great demand of them. That is true... however, what social workers do is very broad, and while there is a great demand for social workers in general, the specific job you want may not be.

I'm about to start my PhD, so I didn't bother with licensing or looking for jobs. My peers, however, are all struggling to find jobs in therapy positions. There is a great demand for hospital social workers though.(They do discharge planning, treatment team coordination, social services, etc.)

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

MOD NOTE: I combined your two threads, since they were asking the same thing. -t4c

 

[ClinicalNYC]

Depends where you live. If you are in a state such as New York, RUN, don't walk from any MA degrees in psychology or counseling.