Professional counselors and social workers both aim to help people overcome life’s challenges, but each profession takes a unique approach to doing so — and each has its own educational and practical qualifications.

In the broader mental health and social services field, two advanced degrees often stand out as pathways for aspiring professionals to pursue meaningful education and work: a master’s in counseling and a Master of Social Work (MSW).

To help you choose the right path, the University of Nevada, Reno highlights the key differences between each degree, including curriculum, career information and job outlook.

A master’s in social work is a graduate-level degree meant to prepare students for a career in social work.

Earning this degree entails taking a range of necessary courses focusing on essential topics like research methods, ethics in social work, human behavior, evidence-informed practice and therapeutic interventions. Students in an MSW program also will typically have the opportunity to participate in a social work field practicum in which they can get real-world experience as they apply what they’ve learned in the classroom.

Completing an MSW can be worthwhile financially and professionally, leading to more opportunities to enhance your level of service, expand your practice and earn a higher salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for all social workers in the United States, regardless of education level, was about $58,000 as of 2022. However, data from online career resource Salary.com suggests that master’s-prepared social workers can expect to earn a salary in the range of about $65,000 to $79,000, and Indeed.com lists an average salary for licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) at around $84,000.

MSW students also have the opportunity to build on their social work foundation to expand their skill sets and develop high-level practical knowledge that can help them thrive in their careers. Typical master’s-level coursework covers topics including the following:

• Clinical care techniques
• Understanding of human behavior
• Social welfare policy
• Field practice
• Leadership and administration skills
• Licensure requirements for social workers with an MSW can vary by state but typically include earning an MSW, meeting the required number of supervised clinical hours and passing a licensure exam.
• The online MSW at the University of Nevada, Reno stands out for being one of few degrees designed around advanced generalist practice (AGP), helping prepare versatile social workers who can handle an array of challenges and opportunities that may come with the profession.
• A master’s in counseling is a graduate-level degree focused on preparing students for a career as a professional counselor. This degree may include a specialization in an area like school counseling, marriage therapy, substance abuse counseling or mental health counseling, allowing prospective counselors to tailor their education to their career interests.
• The difference between a counselor and a therapist is somewhat nuanced, but it’s an important distinction. Each helps people overcome personal struggles, but through different methodologies. According to experts Steven M. Sultanoff and Halcy Driskell quoted at EverydayHealth.com, a counselor usually focuses on helping patients solve specific short-term problems by recommending coping strategies, whereas a therapist provides longer-term care to address broader, deeper emotional issues.
• The curriculum for a master’s in counseling often includes courses that cover high-level, general topics like the following:
• Assessment techniques
• Counseling theory
• Cultural diversity
• Ethical practice
• Human development and behavior
• The degree will typically feature courses related to the student’s chosen concentration, as well as specific coursework covering areas like grief, addiction, crisis and trauma. As with the MSW, students earning a master’s in counseling will also have the chance to put their skills to use in a real-world setting through internships.
• An MSW and a master’s in counseling each help students prepare for a career in the broader human services field, but they differ in various ways, especially the focus of the curriculum.
• For instance, an MSW program usually emphasizes topics like social justice, policy analysis and community advocacy, as social workers tend to work with systemic and social concerns that can affect individuals and communities. Coursework in an MSW program may have more of a structural and societal focus. For example, the University of Nevada, Reno’s MSW curriculum includes the following courses, among others:
• Structural Oppression I and II
• Social Work Methods (with separate courses focusing on groups, individuals, and communities or organizations)
• Elements of Evidence Informed Practice
• Social Work History and Social Welfare Policy
• In addition, social work master’s degrees feature coursework in areas like assessment, therapeutic intervention and administration.
• On the other hand, a master’s in counseling program focuses on more clinical and practical areas like individual and group therapy, mental health assessment and diagnosis. Some courses you might expect to find in a Master of Arts in Counseling include:
• Counseling Theory and Process
• Overview of Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Recovery
• Human Growth and Development
• Multicultural Counseling
• Group Counseling

Counselors and social workers have differing focuses of their work, both working toward improving people’s lives but in separate settings and through different means.

Social workers tend to focus on systemic issues as they affect individuals and communities, and as such, work to address social challenges and concerns. For example, social workers may help their clients find employment that suits their needs and abilities, or they may advocate for clients facing legal issues. Social workers may serve as case workers or may work toward the overall betterment of a community at large.

Counselors usually provide therapy to individuals or groups to help overcome mental health concerns or emotional and behavioral challenges. Counselors are more focused on addressing specific issues relating to areas like substance abuse, trauma, psychological challenges, stress and relationships. They can operate within the broader healthcare system and refer patients to specialists as needed.

While social workers and counselors share the mission of improving lives for the people and communities with whom they work, there are often differences in specific job functions, focus of work, and settings in which they operate.

Below are a few examples of careers you can pursue on each path after earning a Master of Social Work or a master’s in counseling.

As a social work professional, you may be able to pursue a variety of careers and specializations that offer different opportunities and outlooks. With an MSW and appropriate licensure, you can position yourself to pursue career opportunities like the following.

Advanced social work case manager

What is an advanced social work case manager? These professionals have an advanced degree and are responsible for assessing clients’ needs, coordinating services and developing care plans.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the overall number of social work positions, including advanced positions, to increase by 7% between 2022 and 2032. The average salary for this position is $101,246 according to online career resource Salary.com.

Social worker in gerontology

What is a social worker in gerontology? Geriatric social workers specialize in working with older adults and their families to address challenges and needs of aging populations, including promoting independence and autonomy. To pursue opportunities working in this area, social workers may pursue the Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology (CSW-G) credential from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

The BLS projects a 5% employment growth in social workers who work specifically with families between 2022-2032. The average salary is $82,858, according to Salary.com.

Hospice and palliative social worker

These professionals aim to improve the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses and to help support their families during such a difficult time. They may pursue the Advanced Certified Hospice & Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW) from the NASW.

The BLS reports a projected employment growth of 10% between 2022 and 2032 for social workers in healthcare. Hospice and palliative social workers have an average salary of $87,233 based on data from online career resource ZipRecruiter.com.

Clinical social worker

What is a clinical social worker? These professionals work within agencies, hospitals, private practices and community mental health facilities. The duties of clinical social workers include “assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention,” according to the NASW. They may pursue licensure to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

BLS data projects a growth of 10% in the number of healthcare-focused social workers between 2022 and 2032. The average salary for a licensed clinical social worker is about $80,659, according to data provided by Salary.com.

Professional counselors work in various fields, including areas like mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, substance abuse treatment centers and community organizations. With a master’s in counseling, professionals in this field can pursue careers like the following:

Clinical mental health counselor

Clinical mental health counselors provide therapy and support to individuals, couples and families to address mental health issues and improve their quality of life. These professionals may pursue certification and become Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CCMHC) through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).

BLS data projects an 18% growth in employment for mental health counselors from 2022 to 2032, with an average annual pay of $53,710. The top 10% of earners reported a salary of around $90,000.

Student affairs and college counselor

Student affairs and college counselors work on college campuses to help students navigate challenges of higher education, including academic, personal and career-related topics.

This occupation is projected to see a 5% growth in employment, according to BLS data, and college-focused counselors reported an average salary of $53,190 in 2023. The top 10% earned salaries of around $100,000.

Career counselor

What is a career counselor? Career counselors provide career advice and help individuals identify their strengths and interests while exploring possible career opportunities.

The BLS projects an increase in employment of 5% for career counselors between 2022 and 2032, and professionals in this field earned an average salary of $61,710 in 2023.

Addiction counselor

Addiction counselors provide therapy and support to patients living with substance abuse and addiction disorders. They also focus on treatment and prevention.

BLS data projects an 18% employment growth from 2022 to 2032 for addiction counselors. They reported an average salary of $53,710 in 2023.

Deciding between a master’s in social work and a master’s in counseling depends on your professional goals and the populations you wish to serve during your career.

If you’re ready to move forward in your career, consider earning your Master of Social Work online. The University of Nevada, Reno has a program designed to help you build the in-demand skills and competencies to practice social work at the highest level and provide better service for your clients. As one of only a few MSWs designed around advanced generalist practice (AGP), ours prepares social workers to be more versatile for the diverse array of challenges and opportunities they may face in their careers.

Learn more today about earning your online MSW from the University of Nevada, Reno.