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Hello, all.
I am a new Masters of Science in Social Work (MSSW) Student starting next month. I have read through this forum a bit now and I have some technical questions (all related to each other) about the MSSW and the LCSW.
After getting my MSSW (I am in a 3-year program), my goals are to work as a direct-practice professional therapist, dealing with mental health issues like PTSD and Rape Trauma Syndrome. The setting (hospital, clinic, group home, agency) doesn't matter as much to me. My concentration for my MSSW is Mental Health, although I also plan to take electives in law because that interests me, too.
I know that the LCSW is an option for me after I graduate, but I'm not clear on what the LCSW "adds" to the MSSW or if/why I should pursue it.
1) If you have your MSSW and decide to work without the LCSW, can you still practice as a mental health counselor?
2) If you have your LCSW in addition to your MSSW, how is that different from having just the MSSW?
3) If you can do the same jobs without an LCSW (or if there is some overlap), is there any earnings difference (in general)?
4) For people who are bilingual, do employers expect you to be able to offer services in your second language? Since my education has been entirely in one language, I'd imagine this would be more difficult than many people realize.
5) For those of you who work with or without your MSSW and/or LCSW, could you briefly tell me what kind of work you do, your earnings (only if you feel comfortable) and anything else you think is relevant?
Thank you very much for reading! 🙂
I am a new Masters of Science in Social Work (MSSW) Student starting next month. I have read through this forum a bit now and I have some technical questions (all related to each other) about the MSSW and the LCSW.
After getting my MSSW (I am in a 3-year program), my goals are to work as a direct-practice professional therapist, dealing with mental health issues like PTSD and Rape Trauma Syndrome. The setting (hospital, clinic, group home, agency) doesn't matter as much to me. My concentration for my MSSW is Mental Health, although I also plan to take electives in law because that interests me, too.
I know that the LCSW is an option for me after I graduate, but I'm not clear on what the LCSW "adds" to the MSSW or if/why I should pursue it.
1) If you have your MSSW and decide to work without the LCSW, can you still practice as a mental health counselor?
2) If you have your LCSW in addition to your MSSW, how is that different from having just the MSSW?
3) If you can do the same jobs without an LCSW (or if there is some overlap), is there any earnings difference (in general)?
4) For people who are bilingual, do employers expect you to be able to offer services in your second language? Since my education has been entirely in one language, I'd imagine this would be more difficult than many people realize.
5) For those of you who work with or without your MSSW and/or LCSW, could you briefly tell me what kind of work you do, your earnings (only if you feel comfortable) and anything else you think is relevant?
Thank you very much for reading! 🙂
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