Quick Highlights:
- Both MSW and master’s in counseling degrees lead to similar career opportunities in social work and mental health.
- Both degrees require a bachelor’s, but specific courses and fieldwork can differ, impacting licensure and certification.
- MSW programs generally focus on social work practices, while counseling degrees concentrate on mental health therapies and interventions.
- MSW may lead to roles in clinical social work and policy, whereas a master’s in counseling often leads to licensed counselor positions.
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As you consider going back to school, it is important to understand the degree options. A Master of Social Work degree and a master’s degree in counseling often have similar career opportunities. As you consider an MSW vs master’s in counseling, it is important to look at the type of counseling and social work careers you can get after graduation.
Both of these degrees are incredibly popular, and they typically lead to similar careers. Because of this, you should take some time to understand both fields before you make your decision.
Related:
- 20 Great Online Master’s in Counseling
- 25 Top Master’s Degree Programs in Social Work Degree
- Is a Master’s Degree in Counseling Worth It?
- What are the Challenges of Being a Mental Health Counselor?
Overview of MSW (Master of Social Work)
If you are looking for graduate degrees in social work, the MSW is your best option. A Master of Social Work degree is more specialized than a bachelor’s degree and is designed for advanced MSW career opportunities. For example, an MSW typically allows you to become a licensed clinical social worker. This can vary from state to state, so it’s important to look up your state’s licensure requirements before you begin a specific program.
To get into this type of program, you must meet the MSW qualifications. While different schools can vary, you can generally expect the following requirements:
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher
- A personal statement
- A college essay
- Two references
- Transcripts from every college you have attended
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a human services field or psychology, you will typically have an easier time getting an MSW. However, people can apply with any academic background. For the easiest experience, get your bachelor’s degree in social work. With a bachelor’s degree in the field, you can skip many prerequisites and graduate from MSW programs in less time.
Once you have your degree, there are many MSW employment fields you can choose from. For example, students often go on to work in:
- clinical social work
- policy advocacy
- community organizations
They may be employed in hospitals, schools, or government agencies.
Overview of Master’s Degree in Counseling
As you consider MSW vs master’s in counseling, it’s important to gain a better understanding of what counseling degree programs entail. While you can use a master’s degree in counseling to become a licensed counselor, there are other counseling careers you can choose as well.
When you pursue a master’s degree in counseling, you will end up working in a range of different fields. Typically, you will need to meet the following counseling qualifications to get accepted into a specific degree program.
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Multiple references
- Transcripts from every college you have attended
- A personal statement
- College essays
While you may have an easier experience if you have a bachelor’s degree in psychology or other social sciences, you can apply with any college degree. Sometimes, you may need to take prerequisite courses if you don’t have the right background.
Once you have a master’s degree, you can turn in the appropriate materials to your state to get licensed as a counselor. Then, you can pursue different counseling job opportunities. For example, you can start working in clinical mental health counseling.
After completing counseling degree programs, you can go on to become a family counselor or marriage counselor. Some people choose to work as substance abuse counselors to help people who are recovering from an addiction. Other students pursue careers as rehabilitation counselors or school counselors.
Depending on the counseling careers you pursue, you may end up working in a variety of locations. For example, many people end up working in private practices or mental health clinics. If you pursue a doctoral degree, you could even end up working at a university as a counseling professor.
Key Differences Between MSW and Counseling Degrees
Before you decide on MSW vs master’s in counseling, it is important to understand the difference. Some career fields allow you to have graduate degrees in counseling or social work. When choosing between MSW and counseling, you need to know what type of career you want and the educational requirements of that career field.
Curriculum and Focus
The first step in choosing between MSW and counseling is looking at the curriculum. Social services degrees have specific requirements in order to graduate. For example, you may take courses on social work and health care, comparative social work ethics, international social work, trauma-informed care, innovative community engagement, and social work practices in the criminal justice system.
Meanwhile, a master’s degree in counseling will have a different focus. When you pursue graduate degrees in counseling, you may study career development, ethics in mental health counseling, legal issues in counseling, atypical behavior, trauma and crisis intervention, diagnostic and treatment planning, and addiction counseling.
Licensure and Certification
Each state has specific licensure and certification requirements. These can vary, so it is important to look up the requirements in your specific area. If you want to pursue social work careers, you will generally need to get a Master of Social Work degree in order to get your license. Likewise, you will need a master’s degree in counseling to become a licensed mental health counselor.
No matter what counseling practice fields you want to pursue, you will need to get a degree to get your license. Afterward, you will need to get a set number of supervised practicum hours. Often, you will need to complete around 3,000 hours of supervised work. Once you have finished your practicum, you can apply for your counseling license.
Career Pathways
The benefits of a master’s in counseling or MSW are often quite similar. Often, these degrees have classes that overlap, such as courses on trauma and ethics. However, some careers require specific degrees in order to get a job in the field.
MSW Careers
One of the benefits of MSW pathways is that it opens up social work careers. For example, you can become a medical social worker, a foster care social worker, or a school social worker. You can also pursue less traditional options, such as working in policy advocacy.
Counseling Careers
Traditionally, counseling careers involve becoming a licensed mental health counselor. Once you are licensed as a counselor, you can work with different patient populations. While some counselors work with struggling families, other counselors provide therapy to people who are in prison. You can get hired as a family counselor, substance abuse counselor, grief counselor, or marriage counselor.
Making the Right Choice
When considering an MSW or master’s in counseling, there are many factors you should consider. Each person is unique, so you have to look at your own goals and obligations. In addition, you should consider your academic history because some bachelor’s degrees are better designed for MSW vs master’s in counseling programs.
Personal Career Goals
The first thing you should consider before getting a master’s degree in counseling or social work is the type of career you want. If you want to work as a mental health counselor, you will likely need to pursue a master’s degree in counseling. Likewise, someone who wants social work careers should focus on a Master of Social Work degree.
However, this isn’t always true. Depending on your state, there may be some crossover between different degrees and careers. For instance, some states will let you work as a substance abuse counselor if you have a Master of Social Work degree. In addition, certain states allow social workers to get licensed with a master’s degree in counseling. Because of this, it is incredibly important to look up your state’s specific requirements before you choose any degree plan.
Educational Commitments
When you compare an MSW vs master’s in counseling, you’ll find that the educational commitments are generally quite similar. Both degrees involve a two- to three-year program. However, a master’s degree in counseling will normally require a practicum. This practicum can easily involve thousands of hours of supervised work, so you should consider this before pursuing a counseling degree. Many MSW degrees require an internship component, so you may also need to perform some supervised work with an MSW as well.
Professional Impact
The long-term professional impact of each degree depends on what field you want to work in. In general, you should get MSW degrees if you want to become any type of social worker. For counseling jobs, you should pursue a master’s degree in counseling.
Learn More About MSW Vs Master’s in Counseling
Whether you want a Master of Social Work degree or a master’s degree in counseling, there are many degree programs you can find online and offline. The type of degree you choose will determine whether you can work in counseling careers or social work careers after you graduate. Because of this, you should think carefully about your career goals before you start a specific program.
Other than your career goals, you should consider your own interests and passions. Often, students have an easier time studying if they are passionate about the topic. With the right planning, you can make an informed choice and begin the next step in achieving your dreams.