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Professional Degrees

If individuals are interested in a career in counseling or psychology, there are various degrees they can pursue. These fields are very diverse and offer a number of opportunities for those who wish to obtain a master's or doctoral degree.

Master's Degree

There are many different master's level programs that train students in basic counseling skills. These programs focus on areas such as community counseling, clinical counseling, couples and family therapy, addictions counseling, and vocational counseling. Programs will offer either a master of arts (M.A.) or master of science degree (M.S.). An individual may also obtain a master's degree in social work (M.S.W.). Generally, completion of a master's program in counseling, psychology, or social work requires 2 to 3 years of full-time coursework and a supervised internship.

Licensure varies from state to state for master's level clinicians, but, generally speaking, after completion of a master's program from an accredited university, a candidate may apply for licensure after 1 to 3 years of postgraduate experience supervised by a licensed clinician and after successful completion of the state licensure exam. With a master's degree in counseling or psychology, one can obtain one of two licenses in most states: licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) or licensed professional counselor (LPC). If an individual possesses a master's degree in social work, he or she may obtain licensure as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

Individuals who obtain a master's level degree in the discipline of social work or psychology work in a variety of settings, including community mental health agencies, guidance counseling centers, residential treatment facilities, and drug and alcohol treatment facilities and hospitals, to name a few.

Doctoral Degree

There are also a variety of doctoral programs in counseling and psychology, some of which can be started after an individual receives a bachelor's degree and others that require that a master's degree be obtained first. Applied psychology doctoral programs include school psychology, counseling psychology, clinical psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology. In all 50 states, the doctorate is the entry level degree for licensed psychologists. Only individuals who have obtained a doctoral degree in professional psychology (clinical, counseling, school, or industrial-organizational) and met a variety of requirements for licensure may call themselves “psychologists.” This title is protected and regulated by state licensing boards. The reasoning for such regulation is to protect the public from individuals who are not competently trained to treat individuals with psychological issues

Most school psychology degrees are offered by an education department within a university, and candidates earn either a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) or doctor of education (Ed.D.) degree. School psychologists are specialists in the assessment and treatment of learning and behavior problems of children and young adults. While school psychologists are most commonly employed by school systems, they can also be found working in hospitals, universities, community mental health centers, and private practices. In some jurisdictions, it is possible for individuals to practice as a school psychologist without a doctoral degree. These individuals have earned an educational specialist degree (Ed.S.) and they can be called a school psychologist only while working in a school setting.

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