MSW or LPC

[Indecisivgirl]

Hello, I'm new to the boards and glad I stumbled upon this site. I have a BA in Psych and want to pursue social work/counseling. I'm torn between 2 schools in my area. The school that has the MSW Program is accredited (CSWE) and the school that offers the Licensed Prof Counselor degree fulfills the requirements to become licensed through the DRL in WI after the 3000 hours have been reached.

The MSW is 3 years and the LPC is 1.75 years. There is also about $14,000 difference in financial aid.

It looks as though the pay on the median range is about $20,000 less on average for the LPC than the MSW. I'm more concerned with the job market and if anyone has thoughts on which is in higher demand.

Thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[gradschoolmom]

This is an age-old question asked by many of us pursuing degrees in helping professions.  Generally speaking, IMO, the MSW is far more versatile.  You may feel you want to do counseling but if you decide to take other helping roles, the MSW is a degree that you can use in those areas.  What if you want to run the counseling center, for example?  Not to say you could not do that with another designation, but this is considered the "gold standard" in versatility.  Additionally, the MSW designation is nearly always insurance reimbursable.  LPC is likely as well, but you may have some struggle.  When you are insurance reimbursable, you are golden!!  Will your LPC credentials translate to other states should you move away? These are some of the questions to ask I think and I'm sure others will add more.  

 

I've looked into the LPC program and there is a lot I like about it but am choosing the MSW for versatility, universal acceptability, etc.  I'm looking at an MSW with a clinical focus.

[Indecisivgirl]

Thank you so much for your insight. I'm definitely leaning that way and have a wonderful private school campus on the lake area of lake Geneva Wi. I feel like there is also more hands on learning as 30 of my 60 credit hours will be clinicals. Good luck in your pursuit also!

[Goobah]

I'd also like to mention that it's very important to look up licensing requirements in your state.   Many states have a pro-MSW culture, whereas others lean heavily toward the LMHC (or LPC in some states).    During my search I got a lot of feed back, and really -- it just varies by state!!!   I chose the MSW because I want to work with the military and vets -- and that system still seems to be more comfortable with the MSW.  I've heard that California really favors the MFT -- as well as having favorable conditions for the MSW.

 

There are many states in which the LMHC is the clear champ -- you just have to take a look at the requirements.

[csmash]

I am torn between the LMHC and the MSW as well, and I have to accepted into programs for each. I have to decide by next week! The counseling program is more respected and is longer than the MSW program, due to an extra year of field experience. I do like the MSW program because it is more versatile and the courses have a strong trauma focus, which is what I am interested in. In my state, the LMHC and MSW can be reimbursed for the same services without much difficulty, so that shouldn't be an issue. The job market is also pretty even. Ugh, it's such a hard choice!