What is the difference between a social work degree and a psychology degree?

Question

Either an AA, BA, or Masters degree.

Answer 1

The quick answer is that individuals with a social work degree are more likely to be interested in a systems theory. That is...a person is who they are because of what surrounds them such as family, employment, friends, etc. Social workers deal with helping a person adapt in their surroundings and getting them hooked up with outside resources to help them be successful. A person with a psychology degree is more likely to be interested in what is going on inside a person's head on an individual basis. You can't do much in either field with an AA. With a BA or BS in either field you can do social work, community support work, and some human resource work. With a masters degree in both fields you can do individual counseling and supervisory work. In some states you cannot diagnose with a Masters in Psychology. You will have to look at the state you would be licensed in to see what the requirements are for licensure.

Answer 2

With a Social Work degree you can be a licensed Social Worker, with a psychology degree you don't get the skills you need for case management of children and adults. If you are wanting to be a social worker, then you NEED to get the degree in Social Work. The type of degree determines also what kind of job you can get, a Masters being the highest gives you the most opportunity, and the AA or Associates gives you the least. A BA or Bachelors gives you a a nice median, but a lot of jobs want a Masters degree now a days.

Answer 3

Social work deals with helping people.

Psychology generally deals with clinical studies and research.

For some reason some institutions think people with a psychology degree are qualified to provide therapy but, unless they have a PhD in counseling, they aren't.

Answer 4

Big bucks.