MA in Counseling Psyc or MSW?

Question

I don't know whether to aim for my MA in Counseling Psychology or an MSW. Which provides a better salary? I used to want to major in social work, but I heard it was a thankless job with a horrible salary. But, I've also heard that if you have an MSW than you can have your own practice sooner and that having an MSW is more marketable.

Or should I just aim for a PsyD in clinical Psych?
Where can I find salary information telling me how much you would get paid depending on having BA, MA,PhD,or Psyd in Psychology?

I don't mean to sound money hungry. Psychology is my passion, but I always don't want to spend tons of money on school to just get paid nothing. I want to help people

Thanks!

Answer 1

If psychology is your passion then that is the direction to go. Psychology and social work are two different fields and while related if you are passionate about one that is what you need to do.

Comparing an MA to a PsyD or PhD is comparing apples to oranges. With an MA in a clinical psych program you can get licensed in some states (you really need to check out licensing laws in the state you want to practice in and what programs are accepted - not all are). In general an MA in psych with a licence is viewed a bit lower on the scale than an MSW because of the accreditation and field work associated with the MSW.

The PhD in psych is the most respected degree, but it is a degree that has a heavy research emphasis.

The PsyD is generally well respected (above an MA or MSW) and does not focus as heavily on research.

DA

Answer 2

With both a MA or an MSW you can be licensed as a counselor. with an MA you could become a licensed practical counselor (LPC). In my opinion it depends on what you want. If you want to work as a social worker, get an MSW. From what i understand, your appraisal of the field is dead on. If you want to do therapy, get an MA.

In terms of the PsyD, it's more money and more time. MA's and PsyD's can pretty much do the same thing legally (practice in an agency or private setting) however, PsyD's get paid more. One prof told me PsyD's get about 65/hr from insurance while MA's get about 35 (before co-pay).

Check out the APA website http://www.apa.org/ and look at their books. they have a few designed to help you in this decision making process.

good luck!

Answer 3

relies upon on the state in which you stay. that's critical to manage to get approved when you get a level, so locate out what the criteria are for procuring a license to practice in that state. maximum states will license an MSW and many will license an MA. both sorts of stages do similar sorts of work, yet an MSW is many times well-known for case administration kind jobs. in case you want to do counseling appropriate paintings, then perchance the MA is a extra positive selection. also, make confident that inspite of software you opt for meets the criteria for licensure on your state. some classes do no longer provide adequate credit hours or practicum hours for licensure, so contained in the top the degree you worked so not ordinary to earn heavily isn't truly worth the paper on which that's written. also, attending a software that's accepted it major besides. there is a few classes that are on-line and theory-about "degree generators", or are provided by colleges without accreditation, which will precent you from getting approved. i guess what you want to ask your self is what you note your self doing with the degree, and what kind of inhabitants you want to paintings with.

Answer 4

A PhD in Psychology is worth the money if you want to enter the counseling/testing field.