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What does it take to become a social worker or therapist?. Do I have to Pick one and cant do both? Which college is best in the area of social workers and pyscology?.
What does it take to become a social worker or therapist?. Do I have to Pick one and cant do both? Which college is best in the area of social workers and pyscology?.
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Rebecca-Jean’s Answer
When it comes to becoming a social worker, your route would include getting your bachelor's in a related field, such as social work, psychology, or sociology. Then a master's in social work (MSW) is a two-year program. In social work, there are, typically, different types of licensing you can get, including a licensed master's in social work and approved clinical social work. The significant difference is LCSW and LMSW is that LMSW must operate under supervision, and LCSW can work independently.
When it comes to becoming a psychologist, your route would include getting your bachelors in psychology, completing a master's program in psychology, completing your doctoral degree, gaining field experience, and then getting your license under supervision hours of 1500 to 6000, depending on your state you reside in.
look up the programs in your area
asking a counselor at your school, if you are in one, about the program
asking colleges for information on their programs
attending informationals
When it comes to becoming a psychologist, your route would include getting your bachelors in psychology, completing a master's program in psychology, completing your doctoral degree, gaining field experience, and then getting your license under supervision hours of 1500 to 6000, depending on your state you reside in.
Rebecca-Jean recommends the following next steps:
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Anne’s Answer
So I happen to be both! In most states, the title of "social worker" has title protection due to a lot of people claiming to be social workers without education to back it up. In order to legally call yourself a social worker, you need to attend a CSWE-accredited program for social work and obtain a BSW.
To do therapy you need a masters at least and get either a master of social work, master of counselor ed, or counseling. You can get a master of social work (MSW) without getting a BSW so you can still call yourself a social worker even if you have say a psych background. If you do get BSW, a lot of states will let you get your MSW in one year instead of two in an advanced standing program (I did this.) Most states require you to get your LCSW or be eligible for your license in order to practice which would require a residency. That is at least 2 years of supervision, tracking client hours, and then sitting for an exam. So you can definitely do both because I have done both!
To do therapy you need a masters at least and get either a master of social work, master of counselor ed, or counseling. You can get a master of social work (MSW) without getting a BSW so you can still call yourself a social worker even if you have say a psych background. If you do get BSW, a lot of states will let you get your MSW in one year instead of two in an advanced standing program (I did this.) Most states require you to get your LCSW or be eligible for your license in order to practice which would require a residency. That is at least 2 years of supervision, tracking client hours, and then sitting for an exam. So you can definitely do both because I have done both!