<p>I am currently a high school student and recently, I've become really interested in college and the career I would like to go into. I want to be a forensic interviewer at a Child Advocacy Center. I will be interviewing children about being abused or neglected. I've tried to do some research on this job and it mainly says you need a Bachelor's degree or higher in social work or "other related fields." More research lead to finding out that having a Masters degree makes it easier to find a job. I think I should have a Master's in psychology too because it opens the field to more jobs and opportunities. I plan on going to UT Austin or UT San Antonio. </p>
<p>I was wondering if I could double major in social work and psychology (Masters in both) and how long would it take? UT has a school of Social Work and a school of Liberal Arts (for psychology classes.) If you double major, do the two fields of study have to be in the same school of study? And would I get two degrees?</p>
<p>Yes, you would need a degree in social work at least—preferably an MSW. You can enter an MSW program with either an undergrad social work degree or a degree in another relevant field (e.g., psychology). At the bachelor’s level, a BSW opens up more jobs in the field than a bachelor’s degree in psychology since you can qualify for a social work license. These generally are low-paying, entry level positions, however, and you cannot be licensed for independent practice until you get an MSW and have some period of supervised practice (usually 2 years). If you are planning to get an MSW, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend an undergrad social work degree unless you need to work immediately after your bachelor’s degree and/or if you can’t afford to start an MSW program right after your bachelors. Coming into an MSW program with some work experience in the field also is an advantage. A master’s in psychology might make you eligible for counseling licensure in many states after an exam and period of supervised practice, though in many settings a PHD is preferred or required. Some of the skills taught are the same as in an MSW program and some are quite different. IMO, the MSW is the more versatile degree in terms of scope of practice and employment opportunities. </p>
<p>You can double major in social and psychology as an undergrad (subject to the requirements for cross-program double majors at your particular school), though at some schools, admissions to undergrad social work programs is competitive, whereas this is much less the case in undergrad psychology. Though an undergrad major in psychology is not absolutely required for all master’s programs in that field, it is preferred. I’m not sure that a master’s in psychology will add much to your qualifications for child welfare work that you don’t already get from an MSW. There probably are few schools, if any, that will let you do a dual master’s program in social work and psychology (i.e., working toward both degrees at the same time, but check the policies of the particular schools that interest you). You could do them sequentially, but it would make more sense to pursue a PHD in psychology. Master’s programs in social work and in psychology generally take about two years. A PhD in clinical or counseling psychology is ranges from about four to six years after a bachelor’s degree.</p>
<p>While bachelor’s level social workers are often thrust into the position of making decisions in the field or taking protective measures about cases of child abuse and neglect, their training hardly qualifies them as “forensic interviewers”. Dealing with such cases is only part of their many responsibilities. If you have specialized training and obtain appropriate experience, you may acquire qualifications as a “forensic interviewer” but that’s generally not something you enter into with a bachelor’s degree. There are legal and medical aspects as well, and other professionals generally are involved in such cases.</p>
<p>Thank you for taking the time to help me out!
Although, I’m still kind of confused. What are you recommending?</p>
<p>^“What are you recommending?”</p>
<ol>
<li>Undergrad: Do an undergrad psych degree if you have any plans to get a grad psych degree later. You could do a BSW, too, if you can double major and/or if you need to work or want experience before going for an MSW, but otherwise it’s not necessary for admission to an MSW. You can enter an MSW program with either a BSW or a bachelor’s in psych, but for a grad psych program, an undergrad psych degree is the recommended preparation.</li>
<li>Grad: If you want to work in child welfare, get an MSW.</li>
<li>Grad: If you get an MSW, you won’t gain much more from also doing a master’s in psych. If you do decide to do a psych degree after an MSW, however, go for a PhD (or, PsyD).</li>
</ol>
<p>Continue to clarify your goals and research what’s available in different types of undergrad and grad degree programs at schools that interest you. The various degree options, licensure pathways, etc. can be confusing.That’s as clear as I can make it in a post.</p>
<p>Just letting you know that social work is one of the lowest paying jobs in the nation.</p>
<p>I know. But its honestly what i want. Being a forensic interviewer is my calling. And im thinking that if it just absolutely isnt enough money for me, i could get a better job with the psychology degree. right?</p>
<p>I read somewhere recently that a Psychology degree is also the lowest paying bachelor degree, under political science, engineering degrees, and others. I enjoy psychology as well. My psych teacher said that school child counselors are among the best paid with a psych degree, but I bet they don’t even make much. It’ll pay the bills and keep you happy, though! If you go for a masters, you can be a professor at a junior college. Get a phD and you can be a researcher or a university professor. Btw, being in social work is pretty depressing, seeing the home situations and stuff.</p>
<p>It is one of the lowest paying degrees however, it is also one of the best degrees in terms of internship opportunities in college and marketability. Job prospects for psychology B.A and B.S earners is actually quite good in comparison with most liberal arts and science degrees. Albeit the jobs you will get will be low paying. ($28,000-$30,000) starting. </p>
<p>[Center</a> on Education and the Workforce -](<a href=“http://cew.georgetown.edu/whatsitworth/]Center”>What’s It Worth?: The Economic Value of College Majors - CEW Georgetown)</p>
<p>This link will tell you a lot more information on degree’s and what kind of salaries they average. By the way Political science is actually not that bad. Its above social work, and other liberal arts majors. Saying its one of the lowest paying is a big misconception.</p>