What can I do with a MA in Social Work that I can't do with a MA in Community Counseling, and vice versa?

Question

My goal is to open up my own practice working with children and families or marriages, or to work at an outdoor camp for at-risk teens. I plan on entering graduate school next fall, but I'm not sure which degree I should seek to be able to accomplish my goals. I know you can open your own practice with both degrees, but I'm not sure of what others things I'd be doing with the 2 degrees. Any help?

Answer 1

Ok, I just got my MSW and before you can open up your own practice, you have to pass a licensing test and go through 3-6 years of counseling under the supervision of a LCSW.  Most people do this through an agency, or work in someone else's private practice.  

There are sooo many jobs you can get with an MSW, there are almost too many to name.  I'll just tell you what kind of jobs a few of my friends have.  One works in a hospital doing discharge planning, one works in a eating disorder clinic running group therapy, one provides education on domestic violence, one does community outreach to the Hispanic population since he speaks Spanish and I coordinate youth activities for under privileged children.  So you can see with an MSW there are almost limitless possibilities.  Of course, I am bias.  

They did not offer a degree in community counseling where I went to school, so I'm not sure what kind of jobs you can get with that.

Good Luck!!