Master’s in Social Work vs Master’s in Counseling 

Accreditation. A master’s in social work requires different accreditation to one in counseling. To obtain state licensure as a licensed professional counselor, future counselors should consider programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). Social work master’s students should consider a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to be eligible for social work state licensure.

Outcomes. Both programs prepare candidates to make a difference in the lives of the people they work with, but this can happen in different ways. Counselors are trained to help clients directly. Social workers may develop the skills to provide psychotherapy but are more likely to help clients and communities find the resources they need to change their circumstances, remove social barriers or influence public policy on a broader scale.

Specializations. Though they sometimes overlap, graduate degrees in social work and counseling normally have different specializations. Reflecting their broader domains, social workers might focus on criminology or trauma and violence, among other areas. Counseling master’s degree programs tend to have tighter focuses around mental health. That includes family therapy, addiction counseling, and grief counseling.

Salaries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social workers had a median annual salary of $50,470 in 2019, though pay varies by job title, specialty and location. The same can be said for counseling jobs. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors had a median annual pay of $46,240. All of these numbers can fluctuate depending on your credentials, whether you possess a doctorate degree in social work and a host of other factors.

Flexibility and Length. If completing a program at your own pace is top of mind, consider that a master’s degree in both subjects can often be taken part-time. A master’s program in social work can typically take between one and two years if you’re completing it full-time. Part-time options generally take around three years. Master’s in counseling programs can be completed within a similar timeframe. Many programs are also fully available online, with exception of internships and practicums, allowing you to balance work and study.

Prerequisites. Many master’s degree programs require candidates to have completed an undergraduate degree before starting. In addition, a background in relevant subjects like social or behavioral sciences is often recommended, but this is not usually mandatory. The specifics differ by institution, but many expect a GPA of 3.0.

Training. Social workers and counselors both need robust training before they can work independently in their respective fields. Students who want to become clinical social workers and those who choose to specialize in mental health counseling may cover similar topics while in school. Such topics include psychotherapeutic practice and advocacy. Some states also require additional supervised postgraduate experience, in both fields, before being licensed.

Third-Party Reimbursement. Licensed social workers and counselors may become third-party reimbursable. This means that the fees charged for counseling or social work can be reimbursed by a client’s  insurer. While some employers, such as those in educational institutions, may not be impacted by the need for third-party reimbursement, many therapeutic settings rely on these funds to operate.