MASTER'S IN SOCIAL WORK (MSW)

The MSW degree is considered the most versatile and marketable master's degree because students receive clinical training, but also learn how to implement interventions and manage case work. Social workers help people overcome stressful events or serious challenges (e.g., job loss, abuse, addition), They work to address an individual's or family immediate needs in order to have the capacity to function day to day. They often act as the "hub" in a network of social service and health professionals.

REGIONAL PROGRAMS
  • UNLV (accepts ~100 students; minimum 2.75 GPA)
  • UN-Reno (minimum 3.00 GPA; 3.25 in last two years)
CAREER: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)/Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW - LCSWs can become an LICSW after 3 years)
  • Requires 2-year master's in social work
  • Complete a 2-year post-degree supervised internship (3000 hours)
  • Licensure: Passing appropriate Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Examination
LCSWs will be able to diagnose and treat mental health disorders or other behavioral disturbances. They will also be responsible for implementing different social work interventions and case management.

Training is focused on:
  • General mental health, with mild to severe cases, in the context of social environments
  • Social justice, systems, and institutions that maintain or exacerbate mental health difficulties
  • Implementing therapy and therapeutic skills and techniques shown to be useful
  • Learning about the theories behind common therapies
 
Typical Work:
  • Private Practice
  • In hospitals and medical centers, typically case management, but also some therapy
  • Advocate for and help clients gain access to resources while clients are struggling with mental health difficulties
  • Sometimes at colleges as a lecturer or as a professor at a social work program

master's in counseling
Specializations:
     Master's in Marriage and family therapy
     Master's in Clinical mental health counseling
     master's in school counseling

The master's in counseling is more narrow in scope compared to the MSW. One of the main functions of a professional counselor is to work with the client to help identify goals and potential solutions to problems causing emotional turmoil. Thus, students largely focus on learning therapeutic and behavioral modification techniques. After taking the core curriculum, many students then choose a specialization area such as clinical mental health counseling, marital & couples counseling, or school counseling.

REGIONAL PROGRAMS
CAREER: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) 
or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
  • Requires master's in counseling or master's with CMHC specialization
  • Complete a 2-year post-degree supervised internship (3000 hours)
  • Licensure: Passing National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination or the National Counselor Examination
LCPCs or LMHS help people work through their emotions, develop effective coping strategies, and adapt to their environments.

​Training is focused on:
  • General mental health, not typically severe cases
  • Implementing therapies and therapeutic skills and techniques shown to be useful
  • Learning about the theories behind common therapies
 
Typical Work:
  • Private Practice
  • Case management in hospitals (Keep track of patients, make sure they’re coming to appointments, have resources they need, provide support as needed; not therapy)
  • Leading therapeutic groups in outpatient and community clinics
  • Individual therapy at outpatient and community clinics
  • Sometimes at colleges as a lecturer
CAREER: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) 
  • Requires master's in marriage and family therapy or master's degree with MFT specialization
  • Complete a 2-year post-degree supervised internship (3000 hours)
  • Licensure: Passing Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB)
LMFTs provide marriage counseling, group therapy, and family intervention by addressing a wide range of issues that affect the family dynamic and communication between loved ones.

​Training is focused on:
  • General mental health, focusing on family systems and relationships
  • Implementing therapy and therapeutic skills and techniques shown to be useful
  • Learning about the theories behind common therapies for families and relationships
 
Typical Work:
  • Private Practice
  • Case management in hospitals (Keep track of patients, make sure they’re coming to appointments, have resources they need, provide support as needed; not therapy)
  • Individual support in outpatient and community clinics
  • Sometimes at colleges as a lecturer
CAREER: School Counselor (Note: School Psychologists require a PhD)
  • Requires master's in school counseling or master's degree with school counseling specialization
  • Complete a 280-hour supervised internship as a school counselor working with student-aged pupils.
  • No licencing exam required, but must pass Praxis I and Praxis II exams (required of individuals entering teaching profession)
School counselors are the "jack of all trades" in the school environment. They may conduct group therapy, community outreach, or advising students with course selection.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MASTER'S DEGREES VISIT: WWW.LEARNPSYCHOLOGY.ORG