Anne

Posted on 6/14/09

I am so thankful for this question and everyone's answers! I too
was planning to go back to school next year for a Masters Degree
in School Counseling, until a friend today suggested that I
consider an MSW instead, for all of the same reasons discussed on
this thread. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to answer
this question, as you have help me decide to go for a MSW too.

On 3/13/09, mj wrote:
> On 2/25/09, Tani wrote:
>> Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts and
>> suggestions. MSW does seem to
>> be a lot more versatile. I think I will go that route
>> afterall. Thanks again!
>>
>>
>> On 2/07/09, counselor wrote:
>>> Definately MSW. I wish I would have gone this route.
>>> Opens you up to more opportunities (hospitals, the
>>> Va, etc.) and more money also.
>>>
>>> On 2/07/09, kcnew wrote:
>>>> I agree with what others have said - an MSW is more
>>>> versatile. I have an MS in school counseling and
>>>> moved from another state - paperwork, licensing,
>>>> etc. School counselors aren't mandated in all
>>>> states and are dispensable when it comes to budget
>>>> concerns. I would like to have the flexibility to
>>>> work with other populations as well - not sure at
>>>> this point whether returning for an MSW is the
>>>> option for me at this point.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 2/06/09, robin wrote:
>>>>> On 2/05/09, Lauren wrote:
>>>>>> On 2/04/09, sachs1963 wrote:
>>>>>>> On 1/18/09, L wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> It might all depend on the state you are in
>>>>>>>> and how certification and license work
>>>>>>>> there.... I am a MSW and have a LMSW
>>>>>>>> license and school social worker
>>>>>>>> certification. In NYS, I always see job
>>>>>>>> openings for LMSWs.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 1/16/09, Tani wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Hi everyone! I'm in my late 20s and
>>>>>>>>> trying to decide which graduate degree to
>>>>>>>>> pursue - school counseling or social
>>>>>>>> work.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Masters in Social Work is very versatile
>>>>>>>>> in terms of where they are employed -
>>>>>>>>> they can work in schools, hospitals,
>>>>>>>>> mental health counseling, have own
>>>>>>>>> practice, nursing homes, adoption,
>>>>>>>>> government, etc.... But people complain
>>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>> burn
>>>>>>>>> out and low pay. But I've also heard that
>>>>>>>>> many school counselors leave the field in
>>>>>>>>> the first two years. So it's kind of hard
>>>>>>>>> for me to decide.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have a Masters in Counseling and a License
>>>>>>> in School Counseling. I worked in Human
>>>>>>> Resources before I went back to school and
>>>>>>> finished in 2003 as a Licensed School
>>>>>>> Counselor. If I had to do it over again I
>>>>>>> would go get the MSW you will have more
>>>>>>> options. Then you can get the post masters in
>>>>>>> School Counseling to get your License. Just a
>>>>>>> thought from someone who has worked in
>>>>>>> buisness and once again seeking employment.
>>>>>>> Also as a school Counselor you will need to
>>>>>>> conduct classroom guidance lessons in the
>>>>>>> classrooms (stuff on character ed , change,
>>>>>>> study skills) if you work in the elementary
>>>>>>> schools.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> If I get a degree in school counseling,
>>>>>>>>> then I'd only be able to work in a school
>>>>>>>>> setting, right? But with a MSW I could
>>>>>>>>> change the field if I didn't like it.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I love children and have always wanted to
>>>>>>>>> work with them, but not in the teaching
>>>>>>>>> capacity. I don't feel comfortable in a
>>>>>>>>> classroom full of children, nor with
>>>>>>>>> public speaking. (Would I need to do both
>>>>>>>>> of these as a school counselor?)
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> A third option would be to get a degree
>>>>>>>>> in psychology (such as MFT) and then a
>>>>>>>>> school counseling license, that way
>>>>>>>>> broadening my options....
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> If anyone could share your thoughts about
>>>>>>>>> the school counseling career path, I'd
>>>>>>>>> appreciate it. Thank you!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My perspective after 18 years of school
>>>>>> counseling, and I had to make that decision, is
>>>>>> that I would have chosen MSW and then gone back
>>>>>> to get the school counseling cert. We have
>>>>>> plenty of social workers working as school
>>>>>> counselors in my district, and they seem to
>>>>>> have a special bond. Also their experience is
>>>>>> priceless. If you have trouble in classes, know
>>>>>> a tremendous amount of time is in the
>>>>>> classroom. You're also needing to be good at
>>>>>> extending yourself to a variety of teachers and
>>>>>> all their personality traits that you need to
>>>>>> get along with in order to do your job so you
>>>>>> can access kids. I think it's a complicated but
>>>>>> rewarding job, and I would encourage you to
>>>>>> talk to school counselors before you make the
>>>>>> decision. Good luck.
>>>>>
>>>>> I am licensed as a mental health counselor and a
>>>>> school counselor. My advice is that you get a
>>>>> degree in social work instead of counseling or
>>>>> school counseling. My husband is in the military
>>>>> and we have had to move a lot. I have found it
>>>>> hard to get a job in certain states as a mental
>>>>> health counselor OR a school counselor because
>>>>> requirements vary from state to state. For
>>>>> instance, in some states, school counselors must
>>>>> also have a teaching license. A social work
>>>>> degree is more versatile and is accepted in every
>>>>> state; that is, the requirements don't vary the
>>>>> way they do for professional counselors. If I
>>>>> could do it over, that is what I would do. If you
>>>>> are interested in a more clinical degree, I would
>>>>> consider a degree in marriage and family
>>>>> counseling. For some reason, the LMFT license can
>>>>> be more "employable" in some places
>>>>> than a professional counseling license (LPC). The
>>>>> Department of Defense, for example, will hire
>>>>> licensed social workers or licensed marriage and
>>>>> family therapists, but not licensed professional
>>>>> counselors, at least on the many bases I have
>>>>> researched. Good luck to you.
>
>
> I would advise you to look into becoming a Mental Health
> Counselor.

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