I want to double major in social work and psychology...good decision?

Question

This is what I want to do with my life: help "at risk" youth understand more about their situation, home life, and any other problems. Give them ways to cope with their situation and hopefully it will translate into their school and become better students. I want to help kids/students who are having trouble in their life and help them with their problems so they can function better. Is it a good idea to double major in both social work and psychology?

Answer 1

seems the same maybe try foreign  language

Answer 2

It wouldn't hurt. Take also sociology, economics, and juvenile law. When working with at risk youth, chances are they are in trouble with the law and low income. Being able to have a knowledge of all areas surrounding what you would actually do would be vital. I assume you're going to be a social worker or a child's psychologist, so you would need those courses as well.

Answer 3

Let's see...  Your objective is framed as "kids/students," -- thus we might ponder just what does that mean?  Do you mean kids or students or both?  That is, are kids a divisible of students, where one is the ratio of the other?  The reason I ask is, by kids we assume you mean, kids in the United States, yes? -- those who are under the age of 18.  

But 'students' come in every age.  When working with human beings at any age, that central and integral spark in each is what is most important -- the art of being human.  What comes before and following the school day is the most important portion of their lives.  

Your choice of a double major in Social Work and Psychology is excellent: what possibly could be misplaced about such a choice?  'Not one thing.  But do know that a result that displays fine scholarship only is a yield that has to be but secondary to one's home life and who that person truly is.  For example, a person must not be impressed that a child gets an A in school as much as learns that the child is a well-rounded human being based on living and carrying, in as many dimensions possible of living.

As to being "better students," we might consider that today we run the risk of forcing "kids" into modalities of learning, which result the kids are innately averse to and for good reason.  We should consider that they do know.

The problems rest too often with the modes of teaching expressed by the adults, not with the kids: that is, the methods of teaching as existent today are dated and out-moded.  And kids but respond to that very anachronism in terms of learning.  They try to give fair notice, but the adults have long chosen not to listen.  

Here in 2008, we still take a child, which is a most dynamic entity, sit him or her down inside a box composed of concrete or cinder; clap them into unnatural conditions where they are seated for the most part for some six or more hours per day, and then dare wonder why they do not learn and become unbridled beings, prone to mischief or crime.

At home they may well live dynamic, even unstable lives -- good or bad -- and must have dynamism in the schools to reconcile the safest transition from practice to theory, because they are natural inventors, explorers, analysts, and inquisitors, who innately know the scientific method.  They try things and are not afraid to.  Were we not kids ourselves that we should forget those days?

But -- we destroy that spark.

Get the center of the child grounded first -- listen to them, hear them, see and 'feel' what 'they' suggest, not soley in terms of education but rather in regard to the child overall, so that they can factor "school" into their modes learning as they do for 66% of their daily lives some 9 months of each of 12 years.  School is but a small fraction of any student's overall life, and again, a 'student' is one of any age.

Kids today are at risk because the mode of learning taught in the schools is no longer viable.  Bear in mind that school was established when the entire country was still traveling by horse and buggy, and the like of an internet was only a far-fetched vision of futurists.

If you should pursue this double major, I entreat you to be original, for apparently so few teachers and educators today are, and 'have been' remiss for many decades.  We need only bear witness to that proof.

Answer 4

From what you say you want to do, majoring in just social work would probably be sufficient.  Most jobs like that ask for a degree in social work "or equivalent field", which usually includes psychology/sociology.  I majored in psychology and social work because I was torn between whether I wanted to work in a medical or counseling-type environment, so in my case, that was a good decision.  If you are pretty sure that you want to work with at risk youth or a similar position, a social work degree alone would most likely be sufficient and get you where you need to be.

In my opinion, a psychology degree is best if you are planning on becoming a psychiatrist or working in a private practice doing psychotherapy or similar.  If you are planning on working in a non-profit, community, county, etc. organization, majoring in social work might be the better option.  

Another thing that I had noticed is that for jobs in the social work field, it is easier to get bachelor's level positions than if you are a psych. major looking for something other than a social work job.  If that makes any sense?  If you are going to major in psychology, it seems you either have to go all the way and get a Ph.D. or continue to med school, or you have to take a job as a "social worker".  

If you major in social work, there are many positions available for bachelor's level, although even more at the master's level.  

I hope this helps a little.  I never really understood the difference between the 2 until I had taken some courses in each, then realized that they are quite different...none of my courses even overlapped!

Answer 5

Your heart is in the right place.  Either one will do you don't need the double major.  If you really want to have two majors I would go with something in the sciences or computer field.  Ok I am talking realistically now.  I have a degree in Pysch and history and nursing.  I have been a CPS (child protection) a family case manager and a hospital social worker (nursing and psych required there).  If you really want the 411 on this field I will give it to you.  It is tough.  The burn out rate is high, the hours are long, the kids are very resistant and that is when you even get to work with them, mostly it is the parents you end up dealing with the most, change is slow and hard and the slightest little things set you back miles.  Then there is this thing called RED TAPE and there is TONS of it!  Ok I am really not trying to scare you off your mission because like I said your heart is in the right place and the youth certainly need that!  I quit the official job and do volunteer work and private tutoring now--I don't get paid (well for the tutoring I do) but I make much more progress this way because there is no RED TAPE!!!!! Imagine that.  Oh  yeah did I mention the lousy pay that even PhD and MSW psych majors make unless you don't work with kids!  Anyway getting a nursing degree I have something to fall back on if I want to go back to work and actually get paid well at some point, same with a computer degree.  This is why I suggested one of these two as your other major.  The real world is tough--something no one advised me of when I was getting my first two degrees in psych and history!

Good luck to you and don't give up your dream--but have a fall back plan too!

Answer 6

That seems like a good combination for what you want to do. If you want to do social work, you can probably get an entry level job right out of college. I was a psychology major, and while I enjoyed it tremendously, I am not sure I would  major ONLY in psychology if I had to do it again. There are virtually no jobs out there for psychology majors. You almost have to go back to school in order to get a job in that field. You will have more options if you get a bachelor of science degree as opposed to a bachelor of arts degree. Courses in developmental psychology should be particularly helpful to you.

Answer 7

It is a good idea if and only if you can complete both degrees within 4 years.  If it forces you to take an extra year, it probably is not a great idea.  Here is the reason.  If you do your BSW you can apply for Advanced Standing which basically waives the foundation (1st) year of your MSW - thereby allowing you to do your MSW in one year.  As others have pointed out you will probably want to go on for a grad degree - so with a BSW you can do this more quickly (and therefore for less money).  Now if you do a double major and it forces you to go for one more extra year - you have lost that advantage.  They are compatible majors - psychology being mostly theoretical and micro oriented and social work being more practical and looking at multiple levels.  - you could also look at "child development" which is available at some schools.

DA

Answer 8

That would be a good combo 'job wise' as the two fit together, but it will come with a lot of hard work, just so you keep that in mind.

Answer 9

Absolutely!  That sounds like the perfect combination for you.  Plus, having two majors always gives you more options if, for some reason, you change your mind about what you want to do (although, you have a wonderful plan, so I don't really expect that to happen).  Good luck!

Answer 10

You'll need to decide if you want to become a MSW, LPC, or LMFT. I think it's wonderful that you want to help adolescents who are at risk and more people in this field are needed.

When you say double major, are you referring to attaining a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in something comparable to continue for an MSW, LPC, or MFT? Depending on the direction you want to take, it's important to choose the right undergrad degree.

MSW's and LPC's do not have specific training in working with families. They do work with them, but they do not receive the training in how to implement interventions etc. That would come later when you have your Master's degree and are working on your CEC's.

I'm in the field and always willing to help new up and coming counselors.

Answer 11

I am currently a student with an A.O.C. in social work , minor in psychology and a minor in criminology. I think they compliment each other. Working with at risk people in general the criminology has taught me alot about why, and understanding were people are coming from, psychology has helped me understand the thinking, criminology the behavior and circumstances, social work how I can be of assistance. Since I have an A.O.C. I did not need the minors, but they are so helpful in broadening my perception. Although, I am told a major at the B.A. is better with the social work as far as job availiabilty. Otherwise one will allow me to do the same as the other. They differienate at the masters level. You can get a psych masters with a BSW, however to get a MSW one has to have a BSW because you will be required at a graduate level to go back and pick up those classes. So I would say ask yourself how far you want to go in your education. I plan on attending guad school for my MSW or LSW eventually so I chose SWK as my A.O.C.