Need some help...Masters in Counseling or Masters in Social Work?

[LAKingsMaverick]

Hey everybody!

 

I wasn't sure what section to post this in since there are two subforums for psychology and sociology, so I figured I'd put it in psychology since that's my main area of focus. 

 

This is my first post, so thanks for the welcome to the community. I really had no idea this place existed! So first, a little bit about myself. I am a senior at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. I am a double major in psychology and sociology. My cumulative GPA is at a 3.0. My psych GPA is at around a 2.4 and my sociology GPA is at around a 3.7. I have strong extracurriculars as I am a brother of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of quite a few service oriented organizations on my campus.

 

As much as I love psychology, I've had problems with the very research heavy undergraduate track, hence my lower GPA. My goal is to do counseling, therapy, and rehab for PTSD veterans and active duty military. However, counseling for those suffering PTSD of any form is also an option. I also dream of being able to open my own practice one day.

I am pursuing grad school either right after I finish my undergrad, or maybe deferring for a year and doing som work with JVC (Jesuit Volunteer Corps) or Americorps to do some service and get some grant money for school. Regardless, I am going to be applying for grad school throughout my senior year. This is where I'm looking for some opinions. 

While I would love to get my masters in counseling, my grades during undergrad do not make me look like the strongest candidate. There are obvious things I can do to help such as doing well on the GRE, but I don't know if that will be enough. I am very confident that my GPA in my sociology major is more than enough to help me get into a masters program for social work. I have heard that you can do the same exact thing with a masters in social work as you can with a masters in counseling. Are there any benefits to having the masters in counseling over the masters in social work, or are they minimal? Any information would be very helpful! Thank you in advance!

 

Respectfully,

LAKingsMaverick 

[BeingThere]

I work in social services in Kentucky.  At my company, we have LPCCs and LCSWs.  Both can do therapy/counseling.  The differences, as I understand them, are the post-degree supervised hours needed and the certification test.  If I were you, I would check out some local agencies in the state you wish to work in and talk to people and find out what the licensing and degree requirements are to do the kind of work you want to do.  You can probably talk to a therapist or counselor who works at your local VA, or one who works at a social services agency there, and find out what you need to know to make an informed decision.

 

State licensure boards may also be able to tell you what qualifications are needed to do the kind of counseling you want to do.

Edited May 30, 2013 by Bren2014

[LAKingsMaverick]

Thanks a bunch Bren! That helps a lot! Any other input is welcome as well! 

[juilletmercredi]

Just as a note - your fraternity membership and membership in the Knights of Columbus won't matter for grad school.  The community service may matter in more practice-oriented programs.

 

Personally, I am an advocate for the MSW.  I don't think there are any benefits to the masters in counseling - in fact, I think the benefits fall on the MSW side.  It's a versatile degree, and you can get licensed as a clinical social worker and practice mental health counseling.  The military is in great need of licensed social workers, and while they actually have a specialty for that - I don't think they have one for masters-level counselors.  Other than an MSW, you'd have to get a PhD in clinical or counseling psych.

[LAKingsMaverick]

Thanks for the information!