Whether you want to become a social worker or you want to work as a clinical psychologist, you must make some sacrifices. Like other fields, social workers and counselors can increase their career potential by pursuing graduate degrees. While the mental health and social work fields have a lot of overlap, they are quite different as well.
Social workers provide many of the same services and treatments as counselors, but their work doesn’t stop there. That’s especially true for licensed clinical social workers, who must earn an advanced degree. Similarly, you will limit your career potential in psychology if you stop at a bachelor’s degree.
This creates a unique position where aspiring social workers and counselors must weigh their options and make a large investment. Luckily, the social work and mental health fields are projected to grow, so job security isn’t a huge concern. Follow along as we highlight the rewarding mental health and social work graduate degrees that are worth the associated risks.
Master of Counseling
A basic, entry-level counseling degree can get your foot in the door, but it limits your career potential. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but a Master of Counseling (MAC) can open more doors. That’s because a master’s degree is required to become a licensed mental health counselor.
Granted, an MAC degree isn’t specifically required, but it’s arguably the best option for graduate counseling degrees. Upon earning the degree, you must undergo up to 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.
Many find this time and financial investment worthwhile, considering the many benefits that come later. After all, a master's degree is required for state licensure, and that alone makes it worthwhile. This is your best option if you want to become a clinical mental health counselor.
Master of Social Work
Earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) is often expensive, but the return on investment is quite high. Naturally, the route to an MSW involves earning a bachelor’s degree, which serves as the foundation. From there, you must enroll in an MSW program, which many do to maximize their career potential.
That’s because many social workers dream of becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). LCSWs are state-certified social workers who can practice independently, which you can’t do without an MSW. Granted, you don’t have to become an LCSW if you earn an MSW, as it’s a desirable degree for many reasons.
As with any industry, earning a master’s degree can strengthen your resume and increase your chances of getting hired. That alone is reason enough to earn an MSW, as the return on investment is high.
Master of Marriage and Family Therapy
Marriage and family therapists focus on one of the most important things in life: personal relationships. Whether these relationships are familial or romantic, outside help can improve them. With a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), you can maximize your career potential in this important field.
They analyze the nuances of personal relationships, highlighting how mental health affects them and vice versa. The MFT degree is essentially the top-of-the-line credential in the marriage and family therapy field. Dedicating extra time and money toward education is important if you want to if you want to boost your earnings.
This field is projected to grow by up to 13% in the next several years, which is incentive enough to pursue marriage and family therapy. That growth naturally increases competition, but an MFT degree can help you stand out.
Master of Arts in Psychology
Some mental health-focused graduate degrees offer broad career options, including the Master of Arts in Psychology. With an MA in Psychology, you can pursue research projects, counseling, or industrial organizational work. This is a common path for students who recently earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
The one downside of this graduate degree is that it doesn’t qualify you to work as a clinical psychologist. That said, the broad range of career options an MA in Psychology offers is worthwhile. That’s especially true if you want to work in academic research, which is the most career path this degree offers.
Doctor of Social Work
While an MSW prepares you to become a licensed clinical social worker, a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) goes beyond the clinic. For example, you can work in private or governmental human services organizations with a DSW. You can also run a healthcare social services organization or a nonprofit with a DSW.
Of course, you can still run a private practice with a DSW, but you’re not limited to that. The benefit of having a DSW is that it provides advanced and specialized psychotherapy treatments. Naturally, a DSW is a highly prestigious degree, so it can take you far, whether you run a private practice or a nonprofit.
A DSW is also a great option if you want to dedicate part of your career toward research. After all, such research can change the world of counseling and social work, and contributing to that change is special.
Graduate Degrees Open the Door to Endless Potential
It’s easy to understand why someone would be disappointed that their bachelor’s degree didn’t take them as far as it should have. However, serious fields like social work and counseling are so important and sensitive that graduate degrees are often required. At the very least, you’re required to earn a graduate degree if you want more career autonomy and higher earnings.
For example, you can’t become a licensed clinical social worker without a Master of Social Work. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a great career without an LCSW, but you’re limited. Similarly, you can’t become a clinical mental health counselor without a master’s degree in a related field.
If you’re on the fence about pursuing a graduate degree, the best option is to consider your ultimate career goals. Many of the most desirable positions in mental health and social work require an advanced degree, but they don’t all appeal to everyone. However, a master’s degree or a doctorate can boost your earnings, unlock more positions, and expand your career’s scope.
