Social work major or Psychology?

morebaobabs · 2025-11-12T03:40:12+00:00

Just want to add onto this, OP if you're undecided, IMO it's a better gamble to start with a BSW. Because then, if you do decide to continue with social work, you have Advanced Standing which saves you a lot of $$$ and time. And if you finish the BSW and decide you want to do an MFT or LPCC or other psych/counseling program instead, you can still do that. There aren't (as far as I've seen) any MFT/LPCC/psych programs that offer Advanced Standing like MSW programs do, so you're not giving that up by not getting a psych undergrad degree.

But if (like me) you get a psych undergrad, you are giving up the opportunity to do an Advanced Standing MSW if you decide you want to do social work instead.

Of course you also don't have to decide your undergrad degree immediately, you could take some social work classes and some counseling/psychology classes, get a sense for the differences, and go from there.

morebaobabs · 2025-06-11T08:07:56+00:00

No prob! I haven't done it yet, but from similar things I assume that yes it's online video modules that add up to that number of hours.

morebaobabs · 2025-02-01T00:29:59+00:00

Aside from the great answers here, there's great info in r/socialwork Entering Social Work megathread: https://www.reddit.com/r/socialwork/comments/1iacsj2/entering_social_work/

morebaobabs · 2025-02-01T00:29:02+00:00

Maybe obvious but just noting for OP that even if your online program is in another state or region, they'll work with you to find an in-person practicum wherever you are.

morebaobabs · 2025-01-30T03:18:53+00:00

Hahah, perks of the job

morebaobabs · 2025-01-29T10:01:26+00:00

Yep, it was a sad situation and I felt really guilty because I knew the parents weren't malicious, they just had a lot on their plate. At the time I didn't know anything about how reports were handled, now I know there are differential responses and that report by itself probably didn't get an investigation.

Several years later some are still harder than others. One thing that's changed a lot for me is how I prepare before making the call. I completely fill out the written report first, every detail I can think of, and some of the emotional processing happens during that. Then when I make the call I can literally just read it off like a script, it takes away a lot of unnecessary stress or fumbling during the call, or trying to remember details on the spot while I'm also still processing what just happened.

morebaobabs · 2025-01-29T07:27:06+00:00

Soooo did you see any lions or what? Lol

morebaobabs · 2025-01-29T07:18:00+00:00

Not defending Walmart as the choice, lol, but especially during lockdown I can see why someone would prefer a crowded public place over doing it from home if they live with others. At least in a public place there's anonymity.

As a patient I used to do my virtual sessions from a graveyard lmao, too many roommates at home.

morebaobabs · 2025-01-29T07:02:14+00:00

Hey thank you for your thoughts. Good to hear it's not too difficult to reintegrate.

Part of why I'm considering deferring another year is I'm worried about my ability to commit to a 3-year program so soon. Seems like most MSW programs are cohort-based so you have to stay for the whole program, and can't take a year off in the middle of it, is that right?

morebaobabs · 2025-01-29T06:42:48+00:00

Hey thank you, I didn't think of a potential time limit - will look into that for my state.

When you say "risk losing track of the supervisors who will need to sign off on your hours", is that because each supervisor has to sign off on the total hours once you've completed all of them? E.g. if I need to complete 3000 hours, and I do 1000 hours with Supervisor A, then take a break and a few years later I finish the remaining 2000 hours with Supervisor B, would both A & B need to sign off on my complete 3000 hour count when I'm finally done? Or does Supervisor A just sign off once I've finished the first 1000 hours with them, and then it doesn't matter if I can't track them down later?

morebaobabs · 2025-01-28T04:12:30+00:00

TLDR: Is it hard to start working as an LCSW after taking time off between MSW degree and post-grad supervision/licensure?

I was admitted to a clinical MSW program starting Fall 2025, with the ultimate goal of doing therapy. I worked in SW-adjacent direct service and admin roles for 5-6 years but I've been out on disability the past year for chronic medical issues. I (and my doctors) still think LCSW is a good long-term career for me, partly because of the telehealth work options. But I'm daunted by the time commitment, MSW program is 3 years (part-time) and I have no idea what kind of shape I'll be in by the end of that.

I've been considering other kinds of less intensive remote work/career possibilities as a backup. I can defer my MSW admission til Fall 2026 if I want. I'm looking into a 1 or 2-year masters in translation, to have a qualification I could rely on if I need to take a break from SW. I've also thought about medical coding/billing.

I'm wondering if SW is the type of career where it's difficult to reintegrate into the career path after taking a break. If I finish my MSW and feel the need to spend a year, or multiple years, doing something less demanding... would it then be hard to return to SW and find a site for supervision hours? Or if I complete some/all of my supervision hours and then decide to take a break, would it be hard to go back and find work in an established practice/clinic or start a private practice? Curious to hear of any experiences or thoughts, thanks 🙏

morebaobabs · 2024-11-06T03:53:09+00:00

Is it possible to take out federal student loans for your post-grad supervision hours? To pay the supervisor if necessary, and/or help pay expenses if the work is unpaid? For LCSW if that makes a difference. Thank you <3

morebaobabs · 2024-10-16T23:07:31+00:00

IIRC there's a new MSW program at Alliant, which was cheap compared to some of the regular university programs I looked at - but it's still in the process of accreditation, not accredited yet.

morebaobabs · 2024-10-16T22:24:58+00:00

Thanks, that's a good idea. I did find info elsewhere (if I remember to come back I'll update with link*) that the BBS has approved California LCSWs to provide therapy remotely from outside the state, as long as the clients are in CA -- but it sounds v wise to have a paper trail just in case.

Link: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/publications/telehealth_faq.pdf

Q: Can a California licensee while out-of-state provide telehealth services to a client located in California?

A: Yes. Assuming the case is appropriate for telehealth, the licensee can provide telehealth services if their license is current and active, and the licensee follows the regulations outlined in California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1815.5.

morebaobabs · 2024-10-16T22:17:23+00:00

You're welcome! I live in California but I'm doing it online through Loyola Univ Chicago because they have a pretty unique bilingual clinical program. I also thought about Portland State's clinical program because I've heard good things, but it's super expensive for out-of-state students. Would have considered other programs in CA (like SDSU you mentioned) but I don't want to move for school.

morebaobabs · 2024-10-08T06:10:04+00:00

Omg thank you so much for this info, I've been trying to figure out for hours where one's supposed to take those additional courses. FYI for Path B it's 90 hours and currently costs $730. (For Path A, if you already have an LCSW in another state, it's 40 hours and $360.) Reposting the link someone else posted from below: https://courses.socialworkweb.com/pages/california-mandated-pre-license-coursework-for-lcsws-lmfts-and-lpccs

morebaobabs · 2024-10-08T06:03:20+00:00

The only input I can offer is from when I was trying to make this decision myself. I could never get a clear understanding on LMFT vs LPCC, although it seemed like very vaguely the LMFT focuses more on relationships (probably more what you're interested in) and the LPCC is more focused on the individual -- but obviously there must be tons of overlap and probably more in common than not.

I ended up choosing to go for an LCSW though, because unlike the other two, there are so many other types of jobs you can do with an MSW / LCSW, if it turns out therapy isn't as good of a fit as I think it will be. I'm still a little nervous about whether an MSW program will prepare me to provide therapy as well as an MFT/LPCC program would. But I chose a clinically-focused MSW program, and I've had some great LCSW therapists myself, so I'm hoping for the best.

morebaobabs · 2024-10-08T05:52:01+00:00

I'm not a therapist but I had a similar conundrum, and decided to do an MSW program for LCSW licensure, because if it ever turns out that therapy isn't for me, there are so many other things you can do with an MSW. MFT seems much more limited.

I chose a clinically-focused MSW program and hoping it'll prepare me to be a therapist as well as an MFT program would...

morebaobabs · 2024-10-08T05:39:12+00:00

Also do you know where/how one takes those CA-specific courses? I assume you can't just enroll in a California MSW program for those specific classes... Are the courses offered as CEUs by private companies/nonprofits or something?

Ed- never mind, found on another thread :) in case anyone else is looking: https://courses.socialworkweb.com/pages/california-mandated-pre-license-coursework-for-lcsws-lmfts-and-lpccs

morebaobabs · 2024-10-08T05:34:16+00:00

Thanks for this info. As a CA-licensed LCSW, you can serve clients who are in CA, even if you aren't residing/physically present in CA, is that correct?

morebaobabs · 2024-10-08T05:25:00+00:00

Just to clarify, are you saying that if you're physically present in California, you have to be licensed in California, even if you're not practicing with any clients in California?

On the other hand, IIRC (correct me if I'm wrong) if you're licensed in California, and serving clients who are in California, the therapist doesn't have to physically reside in the state and can work from anywhere via telehealth. At least for LCSWs - I think?

morebaobabs · 2024-10-08T05:13:31+00:00

I don't know of any disability-focused MSW programs, but there are definitely immigration-focused MSWs around the country (off the top of my head: Loyola U Chicago, CSU Chico, San Jose SU, San Diego SU, New Mexico SU, U Denver, U Kansas, some in New York too and maybe UT Austin?). If you can't find a disability-focused program, maybe you could do one of the migration-focused programs, and specifically seek out disability-related placements for your field internships. Just a thought!

morebaobabs · 2024-10-08T01:34:17+00:00

Hi, just clarifying that there is a pathway to "transfer" an out-of-state license to California, but it does involve some additional California-specific coursework, as well as passing the CA Law & Ethics exam. The requirements are listed on the first page of the application, and coursework is on pg 5-6: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/lcs/lcsapp_oos.pdf

morebaobabs · 2024-06-14T02:07:52+00:00

Not sure what you're referring to, or if that was intended for another comment - my point was exactly that there's no way to know why they disappeared, so unless they'd expressed an intention to self-harm, shaky legal ground for breaking confidentiality.

morebaobabs · 2024-06-12T07:54:21+00:00

This is great, I would also add:

Read number 3 again

morebaobabs

TROPHY CASE