Working in Higher Ed as a LCSW?

[RunningRattie]

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I was wondering if anyone has any information about degrees required or prefered to counsel in higher education settings.

I've always geared myself toward working on a college campus. Higher ed is something I know well... it's the MSW that is the change of course for me. But now I am wondering if there is a way to combine the two. I've had some really bad experiences with academia (issues of my own creation of course) but whenever I try to move on to a different field, I can't cut the cord, and whenever I try to pick an area of higher education administration that might suit my strengths....... it's just not a good relationship.

I have looked at the counseling department listings (the actual counseling office, not the academic department) at a couple of schools that I'm familiar with and haven't really come across any LCSWs that happen to be practicing in that arena.

Incidentally, I have already been accepted to an MSW program, and I'm set on that, so I really don't plan on switching degrees. I'm just wondering for future reference if LCSWs can practice in that area or rather be hired and if that is an area I should consider going into with the degree I'll end up with in the end.

PS - I guess another way to work in higher ed with an MSW degree is to earn a PhD and actually teach in the Social Work department, but that's way far off at this point.

 

[Slugathor]

LCSWs can work as adjuncts for a social work department teaching the clinical classes. I don't see many LCSWs that have their PhD and I have yet to see any LCSWs teach classes in other departments. Those that have their PhD usually teach only the research classes and/or do pure research for the school in question.

 

[RunningRattie]

Thanks for the information. More specifically, though, my real question (that I don't know if I worded well) is whether or not it is common to see LCSWs practicing as counselors/therapists in mental health/counseling centers on university campuses.

 

[Slugathor]

Those that work in counseling centers for schools have counseling psychology PhDs, PsyDs, and maybe master level psychologists. All the LCSWs that I know that work as counselors/therapists in a mental health/counseling setting are in the state, federal, and private sector (including own practice). However, not all the states are the same. I would just call a couple of the big universities' counseling centers (in the area you plan on residing at) and ask around.