Is this the best Route? Some input please

So Im getting an AA in psychology (MHDD).. after that... Well just want to hear opinions.. Im going to get a BA in Sociology and then a MSW.

My point or destiniation is for counseling, not really clinic but something in the National Guard or even just civilian. I know theres many different Counseling areas.. But for now Is the career path Ive best for the broader view of being able to get into any area.

I know heading into a MHDD is more money and I could get more face to face positions. Plus itll help with my counseling resume. Then again thats why Im doing the AA in psychology MHDD.

Good thinking or is there something I should reconsider?

 

Not trying to dissuade you from this path or to burst your bubble, but you're simply not going to be able to get a job in counseling/social work/psych until you get your Master's degree. I personally know three friends who have psych degrees and have not been able to get a job in their field. One friend ended up moving to California just to get an elementary school teaching job. Two others work in EMS (one got his Paramedic cert and the other is working on it).

I also used to work as a nurse in an inpatient psych hospital and many of the psych techs there had AA and BA Psych degrees. They were basically CNA's: could not do counseling, could not do any kind of acute crisis intervention (except participate in a show of force), could not give meds, could not chart on the patient. Basically, couldn't do anything except pass out meal trays and round up the patients to go to activities. They made about $2 over minimum wage.

Even the crappy nursing home I used to work at (one of the worst in my area) requires a Master's/LCSW for their social workers.

If you truly want to pursue this field, go for it. But, realize that it really won't matter that you ever had an AA in Psych/MHDD once you hit the Master's level. If you truly want to learn as much as you can, your route is fine. If you want to get into the field as quickly as possible, skip the AA, go get the fastest Bachelor's that you can, and get into a Master's program. Volunteer or work as an aide at a group home or similar setting. Solid work experience at the ground level is going to by far outweigh your AA degree or even your Bachelor's in psych.

Good luck.

 

rook901 has given you some solid info, especially the volunteering, if you can find a way to do it. The more experience you can get, the better. And yes, you are unlikely to get a job with only a bachelor's degree. I also agree that an AA in Psych will not do much for you. However, I do have one friend who landed a job in a nursing home with only his bachelors, but that was a number of years ago and not likely today.

 

Ok Whoa... Thanks for your input, I dont mean to sound like im defending myself, this is just how i speak so bare with me and please repsond where you see need. thanks again.

So first.. Yes I know that about not getting a job until Iget my masters which is why Im going for the MSW and not psy or sociology in masters. So that I understand and am willing to work with, ill just round up alot of volunteer work and other things untill i reach my masters.

Adding to that, Ive heard that many times about what your friends had to do, which if you research youd know that it might come to that.. My thing is to not get a Bach. or Masters in psychology becuase my interest isnt Psy.. its counseling with a MSW. Not a psy.d or PHD in psychology.

So does that still place me on the right track so far?

Also, Ive been looking at the VA's.. they are building 3 new ones here in Las Vegas, NV and there are plenty of mental or rehab places out here, heck there is one right next to my college. I said that becuase what you said about you doing nursing work, and for the fact the where and what you do as volunterring work goes to gaining skills and getting into the area of.. well for me the area of counseling im looking at.

ANd yes, thats why I was taken to the path of the AA in psy. to learn as much as possible without having to cough up a lung and leg to get into a BA. program.

As far as having to wait to get into something untill my MASTERS. FINE with me. Though as far as gaining what I would need to be on the counseling path.. I am on a good one then?

 

If your goal is to get an MSW, by all means GET A BSW. .

If you receive a CSWE-accredited BSW, your MSW is typically fast-tracked, and you get it in about half the time. Also, you can sometimes find work with a BSW. It's definitely a lot more likely than with a BA in Sociology.

 

wait wait.. Im looking for a counseling career. Im looking at getting a social work in Masters.. to use in the National guard or else where.. Definitly not to be looking after old folks.. My BA is sociology just for the knowledge to add into my counseling. It was either that I took a PSY in BA or Soc. and well I choose to do psy in AA instead.

I know about having to wait till my MASTERS.. Its the reason why Im getting A MSW and not a psy in masters or a sociology in masters. MY goal is the MSW.

 

What? could you go into further detail.. about the fast track thing. And i wanted to atleast have Sociology under my belt somewhere. Would i still be able to do that?

 

I suggest that you get your Associates from wherever and then move on to a Bachelors in Social Work. If you get the Bachelors in Psychology you will have to take several undergraduate courses in social work before you can begin studies on your masters. To reinforce other comments, with a bachelors in a mental health, counseling, or psychology, or sociology you are well equipment to ask the question: "Would you like fries with that, or could I super-size it for you"? Good luck.

 

The study of social work is based on sociology and psychology. You would have exposure to the material.

Typically a student with a CSWE-accredited BSW does a shorter MSW. Students without the BSW typically take about a year of "leveling" courses in social work as prerequisites. The BSW-holding candidates typically skip straight to the advanced courses, which saves a lot of money and time.

 

This means itll take longer then right? is there a way around that? and why wouldnt sociology work the same way?

[/QUOTE]To reinforce other comments, with a bachelors in a mental health, counseling, or psychology, or sociology you are well equipment to ask the question: "Would you like fries with that, or could I super-size it for you"? Good luck.[/QUOTE]

Im not really looking for a job at the BA level but at my MASTERS level. Im hoping your name is right PSYdoc. If im looking to do counseling in the military, criminal and troubled teens or National guard level should i still then get a BA in psy, once i get a BA in psy i wont be albe to get a MA in psy, well thats how it works at the UNI im going to.

So could you feel in the blanks? BA= MA= For the goal and career areas Ive mentioned above. Oh and the idea is to do alot or enough volunteer work till I get My MA.

 

Oh so get a BA in social Work... Kool then becuase the uni' is accredited in a BA for social work. But then does that cancel out me having to take a MASTERS in anything?

 

Oh another question STEFANM

how would i fast track it? Would i have to ask the Uni' if they do that? or is it something that is done with a BSW?

 

STEFANM another thing... Does taking that route still allow me to do the type of counseling Im looking into? Such as National Guard, teen justice and the sort.. Heres what the details are for the Guard from their web site..

68X Mental Health Specialist

Stress due to combat situations or physical ailments can often have an effect on the mental well-being of National Guard Soldiers. The Mental Health Specialist, as a member of the Guard’s health care team, assists with the management and treatment of inpatient and outpatient mental health activities. The Mental Health Specialist is primarily responsible, under the supervision of an Army psychiatrist, social worker, psychiatric nurse or psychologist, for providing mental health treatment to patients. Duties may include assisting with the care and treatment of psychiatric, drug and alcohol patients; collecting patient data; counseling and treating patients with personal, behavioral or mental health problems; and providing bedside care in hospitals.
Medical | Explore Jobs | NATIONAL GUARD

As for teen justice, just a word I made up.. but its like troubled teens or probation officer

 

No one suggested that you're looking for a job "looking after old folks". Just pointing out the reality that getting ANY job in counseling is going to require a Master's, and that once you have your Master's, having had an AA prior to that is a moot point. The AA is honestly a waste of time, unless 100% of those credits will be applicable toward your BA. Oftentimes, there will be a few junk courses in the AA that will not apply to the BA, unless your university is one that offers both the AA and the BA.

Go straight for the BA to start out. Sure, you can go to a community college to pick up your Gen Eds and transferrable lower division courses. But aside from that, don't waste too much time on the Associates degree.

 

No. MSWs allow you to qualify for a broader range of jobs and credentials. Social work in general isn't very lucrative, but MSWs can become LCSWs (who often function like therapists).

It's typically automatic for those entering with a CSWE-accredited BSW.

 

Yea they offer both and my basic courses like english and math and other retard courses. So i guess Ill just take the AA untill I run into no more transfer credits. tHANK YOU..

 

@ Stefanm... so does that mean then Im in the wrong place.. i m looking for counseling work, i thought social work was the same thing?

 

"No. MSWs allow you to qualify for a broader range of jobs and credentials. Social work in general isn't very lucrative, but MSWs can become LCSWs (who often function like therapists)."

You lost me on the above too. if a MSW allows a broader range of jobs then why fast track and get a BSW?

 

@ Stefanm wait so if a MSW can get me a more broader job then why settle for a fast track BSW?