I'm starting my Masters in Human Services-Marital and Family Counseling. I have applied with Capella, but a fellow student from my present studies recommended Liberty University for the same program. With Capella degree completion is more like 3 years, whereas Liberty might be 2 years. This is important because I'm active duty. Can I become a licensed master social worker (LMSW) with both programs? I'm still confused on the what specific title will come out of each degree. Please Help!! Capella University www.capella.edu Liberty University www.liberty.edu
I'm not sure how the Capella program is three years while the Liberty is only two years. Capella requires 92 quarter hours while Liberty requires 60 semester hours. Note, the semester (usually 15 weeks) is 1.5 times as long as the quarter (usually 10 weeks), so the same degree normally requires 1.5 times as many quarter hours as semester hours. You may want to go to www.google.com and type in "social workers - state licensure - Mississippi" and/or "marriage and family therapists - state licensure - Mississippi" to find the specific requirements of your state.
Since you stated you are active duty, Mississippi may not be the state in which you want to get licensed. Research the requirements for licensure for the state in which you want to practice. Maybe these will get you started. American Psychological Association - www.apa.org Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards - www.asppb.org National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology - www.nationalregister.org
Eventually, I want to retire in Mississippi, most of my family resides here. I have 8 years left. Both programs met the needs of state licensure. I'm also really comfortable with 8 weeks courses, as I am finishing my degree in psy at AMU. 10 week courses at Capella sound so long. Also, there a (2) one week Colloquium requirement for Capella which is in Florida. However, with Liberty, the requirement can be fulfilled in the state you reside in. Cost is another thing. Yes, I get tuition assistance, but for the colloquium, that will be out of pocket. Mandy, by the way, thanks for all of the inputs!!!
Don't know how useful checking with the Psychology accrediting bodies will be but I can tell you that Capella is the first and ONLY online university to receive accreditation for two master's degree specializations in counseling from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The mental health counseling specialization was accredited in 2003, and the marital, couple, and family counseling/therapy specialization was accredited in 2005. Although I am not a counselor and know little if anything about it I am told that CACREP accreditation is similar to the APA accrediting psychology programs. Hope this helps.
True. Check with each school and have them answer your questions first. Then verify what they tell you.
Marriage and family therapists - licensure - by state www.aamft.org/resources/Online_Directories/boardcontacts.asp Social workers - licensure - by state www.nursing.virginia.edu/centers/srmhrc/shortages/lic-social.asp
The degree programs you are discussing do not lead to the LMSW! I believe that it may prepare one for eligibility to practice as a marriage and family counselor. Is this what you want to do or do you wish to prepare for a career in social work? It may be beneficial for you to speak with a counselor at one or both of these schools to discuss and clarify your future educational/ career objectives.
Re: Re: Capella vs Liberty University Couldn't agree more - and as previously discussed, check with the state you plan to be licensed in. Shawn
