PhD in school psychology vs. Masters in social work?

[Ladiidestiny]

Hi I am in the school psych masters program and I'm about to graduate in May 2014. I am interested in counseling as well and I have been thinking about applying to a masters in social work program (after I graduate too) being that I can become licensed within New York State with that. I would have pursued the phD in school psych but I missed the deadline so that I could transfer in. (I could still apply but it would take me another 4 years minimum to complete the phd program- plus one year post graduation to be eligible to apply for licensure.) I can't imagine being in school for that much longer. I worked hard in my academics up until this point and I really want to start making money. With the msw, I believe it is only 2 years and I can apply for licensure in less time with a lcsw. (I definitely still want to be a school psychologist but I want to also have the option of counseling more because I want a private practice working with children after my day as a school psychologist is done. )Which route is better?

[iphi]

If I am not mistaken, in order to be eligible to practice privately as a psychologist (no matter what kind) you need a minimum of a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD). As for an LCSW, by the time you have gotten your MSW it will take the same amount of work/time to become certified as it would have if you got your PhD. Plus, a MSW will skew you in an area of specialty that you may not want (no idea of your interests, but MSW tends to certify you for work with demographics, and those are typically not the people who are able to pay to come to your private practice)!

 

There are programs which, if you already have a Master's in School Psych, will allow you to graduate in as little as three years. Take UNC Chapel Hill, for example. If you are motivated you can take only three years. That's the same as a LCSW and you will probably be in an area that you enjoy more. Plus, you are more likely to have the program/internship paid for.

 

Do you have an advisor you can talk to? Come talk to the folks on the if you want!

[juilletmercredi]

In New York State, you can be certified as a school psychologist with a master's degree in school psychology.  However, your scope of practice is limited to public and private schools, preschools, colleges and universities, and some state and federal agencies - you can't do private practice unless you get licensed as a psychologist.  In NYS, that licensure does require a doctoral degree.

 

You can do licensed clinical social work with an MSW - you don't have to do community social service work and work with only low-income populations; many LCSWs have their own private practice and do therapy.  In order to get the LCSW in New York, you need to get the MSW, pass an exam, and then get at least 3 years of post-MSW supervised experience in psychological treatment (these are usually paid).

 

Another option is to complete a program that will allow you to get licensed as a mental health counselor in New York.  I have a friend with a master's in mental health counseling who does private counseling.  I don't know where in NYS you are, but Adelphi, College of New Rochelle, Columbia Teachers College, all of the CUNYs, Fordham, Hofstra, Long Island University, Manhattan College, NYU, NYIT, St. John's, Touro, and Yeshiva all offer two-year MA/MS/M.Ed programs that lead to licensure as a professional mental health counselor in NYS.  There are many other universities across the state of New York that do so as well.  Many of these programs are part-time (like Fordham's), so you can even go straight to work as a school psychologist and make money like you want.

 

Getting the PhD, of course, is more the sure bet - a PhD in school psychology will make you eligible for licensure anywhere, and many school psychologists have private practices.  Not all states license master's level mental health counselors, and some of the states that do require that you practice under a doctoral-level therapist's supervision (which means you cannot have your own practice).  So to answer your question, objectively the PhD in school psychology is the better option given what you want to do.

 

BUT if you plan on staying in NYS long-term, either the MSW or the master's in mental health counseling will suit your needs.  Actually if you plan to stay in NYS, I would say that the master's in mental health counseling is probably more along the lines of what you really want.  Those programs really focus on mental health counseling theory and practice, whereas an MSW is a much broader degree.