Which degree is better- counseling or social work?

Question

I currently have a BS in Sociology (which is useless) and was wondering which Masters level degree I should pursue, MS in Counseling or MSW or perhaps something else. I want to work with kids, obviously this includes the families as well but I want to be very child-focused and be able to interact and build relationships with children personally. Paperwork doesnt bother me, but I would be very nervous going on home visits alone (I know of a social worker who was killed during such a visit). Any help you could offer would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

The term "counseling" is used in both psychology and social work. However, as a profession, counseling focuses on helping people with personal, family, educational, career issues through individual, couples, family, or group therapy. In general, counselors are not as focused on research and testing as psychologists and are more concerned with individuals than with social conditions and systems.

Social Work

Social workers tend to work with clients disadvantaged by poverty or oppression. Social work is a profession dedicated to helping people resolve problems in their daily lives. This may include direct help in the form of counseling and referral to resources or advocacy to improve social or economic conditions. The social work profession emphasizes social justice and advocacy issues and works to change both individuals and the systems that affect them. However, social work can overlap with psychology and counseling because many social workers provide therapy in a private practice setting.
this website should help you make a decision: http://www.utexas.edu/student/cec/services/gradschool/psychology_related.html

Answer 2

It does really depend on which state you live in. and what you want to do with your license. I am currently a graduate student in counseling. Social workers are more respected because they have been along for longer, but the counseling curriculum is more clinically based. Most social workers, especially bachelors level, are not qualified to actually do counseling. They receive training in social work, usually case management, public policy, etc. Counselors are trained more clinically in counseling theories , methods, etc. If you want to do case management, do social work. If you want to counsel people, do counseling. Like I stated before, it does really matter what state you are in and your interests. Counseling is still a relatively new profession when compared to social work, and it is necessary to advocate constantly to receive the same benefits as social workers and psychologists. This will improve though, as the profession progresses, so do your research and make a decision that is right for you.

Answer 3

Social work by far. A counseling degree is not nearly as practical due to what you learn in your master's program. (more theory vs. hands on info)

There are many therapist/counselor jobs that are held by social workers, not counselors. You will not have to do home visits necessarily as a social worker. You can get plenty of work working as a therapist and not have to leave your office. It would be your choice to take that kind of work that would require home visits.

There are other avenues to work with kids as well such as prevention specialist, school social worker, group therapist. With none of these jobs did I ever have to do (or was expected to do) a home visit.

Home visits are the most common in protective service, foster care, and public health jobs.

Answer 4

An MSW is a far more versatile degree and in general opens up more doors and offers more flexibility in your career. The MSW is more focused on social problems. Counseling is soly focused on interpersonal and intra personal issues and not on the social conditions that contribute to these..social work focuses on all three.

For counseling you want to be sure that your state actually licences counselors (usually an LPC) at the masters level. CI

Answer 5

My husband also has a BS in Sociology. I joke it is worth as much as a degree in underwater basket weaving. He is currently a teacher and loves it....
I would ask if I could follow somebody around from both jobs and see what works best for you.
Good luck! Anybody who wants to work with children is tops in my books.