<p>Another Ph.D. clinical psychologist here. Have you considered neuropsychology? I love it and really enjoy the fascinating patients I see. I am glad I have the Ph.D. I agree with what others have said here. While private practive is no cakewalk, the flexibility is nice. </p>
<p>Some masters level folks (psychology and MSWs) have branched off into Geriatric case management. Since that is not regulated by the insurance industry, you can set your own fees and make a nice income. Good luck!</p>
<p>I tend to agree with wedgedrive.</p>
<p>I started out wanting to go into clinical psy but ended up going the sw route. Big mistake. Throughout the years I worked with juvenile deliquents, disadvantaged parents, teens, child abuse, and had brushes with prisoners. The hours are 24/7 and the pay stinks. There is no time for family. In fact, when we decided to have children, I knew right then my occupation would be a major safety factor so quit the profession. SW'ers are out in the field more than Psy are. While I enjoyed being on my own in the field, it was stressful. Gov paperwork takes so much time, there is no time left to actually do your job. Then there's the annoying perception that SW are stupid and lazy and are blamed for every social ailment out there. </p>
<p>But, ymmv.</p>
<p>Nunya, Were you a bachelor's level or master's level social worker? Have MSW and LCSW although no longer practicing. LCSW's have many opportunities with all of the following types of positions-government,non profit, private practice,etc. Psychologists,LPC's, psychiatrists all have good opportunities as well-just has to do with the best "fit"-not unlike looking for the best fit for college.</p>
<p>I teach preschool in a private setting. There is a MSW (who is in a private practice group) who comes to our classroom every week to do "play therapy" with a couple of our kids. She also sees clients in her office and sometimes in their homes. She seems to really enjoy her job. </p>
<p>My neice will get her MSW in May. She is hoping to go into counseling. </p>
<p>A friend's D got a BS in SW and is working for the county DSS. After just two years she is getting pretty burned out and not making much money.</p>
<p>I'm a licensed psychologist (Counseling Psych Ph.D.) and have worked in public mental health (also in private practice) for 20+ years. I think the MSW is by far the most versatile and practical degree for your interests in these times. The path to an LCSW is significantly shorter and less expensive and there are more established "pay back" programs. You need to choose the right program to get counseling/psychotherapy training from the start and need to advocate for fieldwork placements that will give you supervision in that area. You may need to seek out some additional training/supervision after the master's if you want to develop mastery of a particular theoretical model. But here are many more entry-level jobs (in medical and social service settings) available to social workers and you can be better paid while you complete licensure and training than is true for most PsyD students. There are definitely paths to private practice with an LCSW. PsyD programs are exorbitantly expensive, rarely fund their students, and the size of each entering class is often large. People can get good training in a PsyD program and find well paid jobs but it can be a lengthy ordeal and is especially competetive on either coast. Smith has a great social work program and there are interesting programs at San Jose State and Sonoma State. And with an MSW you could later enter a doctorate program (psych or social work) if you really felt the need of the added degree.</p>
<p>HI! I really need good suggestions… I’m not sure what’s right for me…Psychology or social work… i really love working with people and talking…and i would love to have my own private office…or i want to work for the government…if anyone can give me any suggestions it will be great! i don’t mind paper works i just want to be confident and be successful…thank you!!</p>
<p>len</p>
<p>Regarding the MSW–</p>
<p>After your MSW degree from an accredited college, you are eligible to take the first licensing exam and become an LMSW. At this point, you can do psychotherapy, BUT it has to be supervised. After 2 years of clinical supervision and something like 4200 hours, you become eligible to take the clinical exam and become an LCSW. At this point, you can have your own private practice and to do psychotherapy. It is only in certain settings that count towards your clinical hours to be eligible for the LCSW–case management type jobs/hospital jobs typically do not count because you’re doing more case management rather than therapy.</p>
<p>Most students are micro/clinical-intending to go into practice with individuals and families. You can specialize in health (medical), behavioral health, or children and families. The option for macro is also there, but few people do that. That is the public health option.</p>
<p>The medical model is absolutely taken into consideration with the MSW program. However, it is not all that is looked at. Since the medical model only focuses on the pathology of the person, it a limited view of the patient. It does not consider other aspects of the individual’s life that may also be affecting them, such as social aspects, mental health etc. SW teaches to do a complete assessment to fully understand the individual.</p>
<p>I am a current MSW student (graduating in a few months). There is a lot of focus on theories, theoretical orientations, and different types of psychotherapy, role playing with clients etc. in so many classes. There is a lot of focus on research/evidence bases practice and there are 2 statistics classes. To graduate, you also need 960 hours at internships (2 separate ones). The internship accounts for only 12 credit hours out of 60 required to complete. I feel satisfied with my program and that I am very prepared to be out there.</p>
<p>I have a BA in psychology and have the majority of my experience in behavioral health. With the additional extensive psychology studying in my MSW classes, I decided to diversify and specialize in health. This way, I can be a social worker/therapist in any area I choose–private practice, hospital, fire dept., Hospice, VA, community mental centers, families/children/schools. The list is endless and I am so excited to have the flexibility to work with any population I choose. </p>
<p>Here is the breakdown of questions on the first exam (LMSW). You can see how little research weighs on it. I too think this is unfortunate. I’d say although there has been lots of discussion on research etc., there is more emphasis on learning about all different types of conditions to educate clients/family members about their diagnosis. I find this to be quite helpful when working with clients</p>
<p>Masters Examination Content Outline sample questions on page 19
Percent of content </p>
<p>I.Human Development and Behavior in the Environment 18%
A.Theories and concepts
B.Application of knowledge </p>
<p>II.Diversity and Social/Economic Justice 7%
A.Diversity
B.Social/economic justice and oppression </p>
<p>III.Assessment, Diagnosis, and Intervention Planning 11%
A.Biopsychosocial history and collateral data
B.Assessment methods and techniques
C.Assessment indicators, components, and characteristics
D.Indicators of abuse and neglect
E.Intervention planning </p>
<p>IV.Direct and Indirect Practice 22%
A.Intervention models and methods
B.The intervention process
C.Intervention techniques
D.Intervention with couples and families
E.Intervention with groups
F.Intervention with communities and larger systems
G.Consultation and interdisciplinary collaboration </p>
<p>V.Communication 7%
A.Communication principles
B.Communication techniques </p>
<p>VI.Professional Relationships 5%
A.Relationship concepts
B.Social worker and client roles
C.Ethical issues within the relationship </p>
<p>VII.Professional Values and Ethics 11%
A.Professional values
B.Legal and ethical issues
C.Confidentiality </p>
<p>VIII.Supervision, Administration, and Policy 8%
A.Supervision and staff development
B.Human resource management
C.Finance and administration </p>
<p>IX.Practice Evaluation and the Utilization of Research 2%<br>
A.Data collection
B.Data analysis
C.Utilization of research </p>
<p>X.Service Delivery 9%
A.Service delivery systems
B.Obtaining services
C.Effects of policies and procedures on service delivery</p>
<p>I hope this is helpful to someone. I know this is an old thread, but came across it in a google search, so I just wanted the info out there for anyone debating btwn programs</p>
<p>Thank you very much, blackberry88!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Hi! I don’t mean to steal the focus on the original thread, but I need some advice. I have my AAS in Nursing, but am looking to change my career into social work.</p>
<p>What is the best option: Get a BA in Psych + MSW… or… BSW + MSW?</p>
<p>I know the advantage of getting a BSW is that the MSW takes only one year. However, would getting a Psych BA give me a more well-rounded education, since I would acquire knowledge from both disciplines (psych AND Social Work)? Or… would this just be a waste of time?</p>
<p>Would the Psych BA give me more versatility in terms of jobs while I get my MSW?</p>
<p>I’m from IL (chicago burbs) and the schools I’m looking at are:
-Aurora University (BSW-MSW)
-Governors State University (BSW-MSW)
-Chicago State (MSW)
-Indiana NW (MSW)</p>
<p>and for psych:
-Argosy University (Psych BA)… have you heard anything about this school? I’m finding a lot of controversy on it over the internet. Even though it was originally the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, it is a FOR-PROFIT/PROFESSIONAL school, thus some people have major biases and have had issues with it.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>-Shelby
PS-Are the work conditions for SWers long and stressful? I hear different remarks. I know I don’t want to do shift-type work (I’ve done that in the hospitals with nursing and hate it!), so I would like a more steady daytime type job. How difficult is it to get a job like that and what is available that fits that description (i’d love to counsel)</p>
<p>petluvr10,</p>
<p>WHy would you get your BA in psych and social work? Thats really crazy. The OP is very unique in that she is pursuing her BA in psych and SW. SOme people just like the idea of double majoring but honestly once the OP goes out into the work force the employers wont care that she double majored. If you want to become a SW the best way is to get your BSW, then MSW and then become an LCSW. You dont need a psych degree. As someone who is pursuing my MSW at NYU, I just want to say that Social WOrk and Psych are very differernt fields and view social services/counceling very differerntly. Psych view individuals based on a biological method. Social Workers view not only the individual but their finances, families, situations, history (aka: person-in-enviroment theory). This is a large differerence and depending on how you want to help people will determine which path you go on. Its difficult to go on the psych path and MSW path… pick one and stick with it. There are plenty of jobs in both fields and no reason to waste your money trying to tackle both. I feel the OP needs to determine what her goals are and stop trying to chase after 2 expensive goals.</p>
<p>Sally-</p>
<p>I figured that getting diverse degrees would make me a more well-rounded and thoroughly educated provider when I graduate. </p>
<p>They say that psychology is the Science and Soc Work is the Application. I was told by a few in the field that getting diverse degrees would be the better option… but I was also told by other that it might be a waste.</p>
<p>So many options to consider!</p>
<p>Plus, if I decide that this field is not for me, wouldnt it be “safer” to have a psych degree, for isn’t it more versatile than a BSW if I decide to go another route (say, get my masters in teaching?)?</p>
<p>Actually, Sally, a fair amount of my social work (BSW) cohort doubled majored in psych–including me! I chose the psych route for grad school (PhD in School Psych), but don’t regret my double major at all–and it didn’t cost me a penny more then a single degree would! Social work, at the undergrad level, taught me a lot of basic–but important --“practical” (clinical) skills while my undergrad psych degree was much more theoretical and research oriented (<em>very</em> important as well, of course!), and I really valued learning the strengths perspective in greater depth. Additionally, my social work internship gave me the opportunity to first author a journal article, which I’m hoping to submit in a month or two, so regrets here!</p>
<p>Psych_
Where did u go to school for your undergrad? I live in the Chicago burbs, but I can’t find a dual-degree program of BSW/Psych. It’s awesome that your program was a BSW cohort! Those are the greatest! </p>
<p>Any tips on good (but not too pricey!) schools in the chicagoland/northwest indiana area?</p>
<p>That was supposed to say <em>no</em> regrets!</p>
<p>Anyway, stay away from Argosy would be my first bit of advice! It’s reputation in the psych world is awful… As for getting a double major, it should be fairly doable at any school that offers a psych degree (that would pretty every school, minus some tech ones) and a social work degree. For a list accredited BSW programs, go to [Council</a> on Social Work Education (CSWE) - Directory of Accredited Programs](<a href=“http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/organizations.aspx]Council”>http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/organizations.aspx) and filter by program level (baccalaureate), accreditation (accredited), and state… The state filter is down at the moment (just checked), but it should be up again soon. From there, you can compare costs across schools.</p>
<p>Psych_ and anyone else:
It saddens me that Argosy has such a poor reputation, b/c the program would allow me to graduate by Dec 2011. From the outlook, it looks like a sound program, but from what I’ve read on the internet, I’m very weary about attending.</p>
<p>What exactly makes the school so bad? Are ALL Argosy schools viewed as poor, or just certain ones?</p>
<p>For instance, the Chicago and Schaumburg campuses used to be IL School for Professional Psychology or Chicago School of Professional Psychology (I forgot which one, lol), and those schools had a great rep. Did all that change when Argosy took them over?</p>
<p>It’s SO enticing to go there b/c of the price, the amount of credits they allowed me to transfer, and the fact that I can work while going to school. </p>
<p>Can u give me more insight about why/how Arogsy got this bad reputation and if it is pertaining to certain schools or to ALL of them?</p>
<p>Tobia_e, </p>
<p>I am in the same situation as you were in- since this is an old post I was wondering what ultimately chose and how you feel about it? (if you’re still around in the forums) </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>She hasn’t posetd anything since 2008! I think she’s half way through whatever program she has chosen by now. Other than katemack, has anyone else noticed how long agao the OP was?</p>
<p>I attended Argosy for 3 years and my experience was PURE HELL. The place was run like a circus with what seemed like NO ONE to answer to. I was subjected to the worst experience of my life and I warn anyone who is even CONSIDERING going there to run in the opposite direction. The poor reviews are very real. I just wish I had someone to warn me before I applied.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You have gotten a lot of great information, but I didn’t see a response to this. My understanding is that the above information is no longer correct due to the passing of the Health Care Reform Bill. You cannot be excluded from health insurance due to a pre-existing condition. I am not certain when that kicks in but it will be well before you are licensed. Health insurance companies will not be able to discriminate against those with pre-existing conditions. </p>
<p>I’m an MFT in California. I’m in private practice, but MFTs do practice in agency settings and have a wide range of options available to them.</p>
<p>Oh, I should have checked the date of the original posting.</p>