Graduate Paths for Different Helping Professions

Post Baccalaureate Level:

Certification in Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling

• Can be done at the Bachelor’s level
• Many universities offer different certification programs related to substance abuse treatment
  • Pennsylvania Substance Abuse Counselor Certification to Become a CADC or LADC
  • Substance Abuse Counselor Requirements in Pennsylvania
  • Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA)
  • Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
  • Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP)

Master's Level:

Master of Social Work

• Typically 2-3 years, programs accredited by Council on Social Work Education
• Versatile degree. Can lead to license in clinical social work
• Different areas of social work: social, medical, school, clinical, administration/management, social policy
• Work might involve case management, needs assessments, therapy in private practice, mental health care settings, developing/overseeing assistance programs

Master of Counseling (aka Clinical Mental Health Counseling)

• Typically 2-3 years, programs accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• Graduate programs in counseling are usually housed in a university's education or counseling department, while psychology graduate programs are typically housed in psychology departments
• Different areas of counseling: addictions, career counseling, clinical mental health, community counseling, couples and family counseling, school counseling, student affairs and college counseling, counselor education and supervision
• A Masters degree in marriage and family therapy is another option

Master of Science in Clinical or Counseling Psychology

• Typically 2-3 years
• Different specialization options
• Provides an opportunity for further education in psychology, and for research experience
• May be a good option if you want to get into a doctoral program but your undergraduate academic GPA is low, or if you need more research experience

Doctoral Level:

Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology

• Different than being a counselor
• Potential work options: private practice, counseling centers, college counseling centers, community mental health clinics, in academia as a professor or clinical supervisor
• Slightly less research focus than clinical psychology
• Less likely to work with severe mental illness or in hospital settings than clinical psychologists
• 4-6 years, programs accredited by American Psychological Association
• For a more detailed explanation of the differences between Counseling and Clinical Psychology: Counseling Psychology vs. Clinical Psychology

Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

• Potential work options: practicing clinician, in academia as a professor, as a researcher, consultant, supervisor.
• Trained as both a researcher and a practitioner
• Some clinical psychology programs offer specialization in child/adolescent psychology, adult psychology, health psychology, forensic evaluation and assessment, behavioral health, neuropsychology
• 5-7 years, programs accredited by American Psychological Association

School Psychology (most often, a doctoral degree is needed)

• Focused on helping children succeed in a school setting
• Work could involve assessments, consultation with children and families, program development, crisis management
• Typically a doctoral program, but there are some programs that offer a masters degree in school psychology.
• See this page from the National Association of School Psychologists for more details on graduate programs in school psychology.

Ed.D. in Psychology

• An Ed.D. is a doctorate in education. Ed.D. programs are often in school psychology and counseling psychology
• Can be a good option if you plan to work in an educational setting
• Often focuses on counseling, developmental, and educational psychology.
• Note that the American Psychological Association does not accredit Ed.D. programs.

This resource was created by Dr. Amber Norwood.