Working in Mental Health

You have several options for learning to do therapy/counseling and psychological evaluations. Consult with your advisor to identify the program that is best for you.

First, Specialization

Many are not sure about the population with whom they want to work. Some people know that they prefer to work with adults, with children, with adolescents, or in some other specialized area.

When you are studying graduate programs, examine the training opportunities and the faculty expertise for evidence that you can learn about this area of interest for you. Unless you have very specialized interests, most programs will provide you with the general skills you need to adapt to any particular population.

Degree Options

MA in Clinical Psychology

• Persons with this degree may do therapy with a variety of clients, perhaps with a drug and alcohol treatment unit or with children in an inpatient facility. They may conduct and interpret psychological assessments for a community mental health agency or work with doctoral level psychologists in private practice. They may work in medical settings or with older adults.
• Among other reasons, persons may attend a masters program rather than a doctorate program because they are not interested in doing the research often required for doctorates, they may need to establish an improved academic record in order to obtain admittance to a doctorate program, or they may need to stay close to family and a doctoral program isn't available.
• Identify programs using the APA's "Guide to Graduate Study in Psychology."
• Some schools, such as Western Kentucky University (http://edtech.wku.edu/~psych/areas/clinic/), offer what is known as a "terminal masters" degree. In general this can be completed in two years and may involve an internship and/or a thesis research project.
• Practice and requirements for supervision upon completion of the degree are governed by state laws. The coursework is almost equivalent to that earned for the doctorate, the major difference being additional practicum and greater research.
• For futher information, see Division 12, Clinical Psychology (http://www.apa.org/about/division/div12.html) or Division 17, Counseling Psychology (http://www.apa.org/about/division/div17.html) of the American Psychological Association.

Ed.S. in School Psychology

See this material.

MSW in Social Work

• Persons with this degree may work in all areas of the human service delivery system. MSWs are found in a variety of practice fields working with diverse populations experiencing just about any problem or issue related to social functioning.
• Two years to completion of degree. (Students with a BSW are eligible to complete their MSWs in one year via an advanced standing track. Students with baccalaureate degrees in related areas can complete their MSWs in two years.)
• Relevant websites
  • National Association of Social Workers (http://www.naswdc.org/)
  • Council on Social Work Education (http://www.cswe.org/)
  • Baccalaureate Program Director's Association (http://www.bpdonline.org)

Other helping areas

• MA in Counselor Education or Marriage and Family Therapy
• Mental Health Counseling
• Marriage/Family Counseling
• Criminology; Forensic Psychology. Further information is available at Nute, D. () Advice about a career in forensic science (http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/faculty/nute/FScareers.html) or the American Academy of Forensic Science (http://www.aafs.org/)
• Speech Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Recreational Therapy
• Music Therapy
• Art Therapy

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Created: 10/4/00; Last modified: 10/29/00
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Questions or comments about the graduate programs: contact psych@edtech.cebs.wku.edu
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