Professional Licensure and Other Credentials
Pursuing a career in psychology offers diverse paths, but your degree level significantly shapes your options, especially regarding professional licensure. Many psychology professions require advanced education and/or licensure, which can unlock exciting opportunities like private practice.
A graduate degree is essential for becoming a practicing, licensed counselor or psychologist. Your training becomes highly specialized at this stage, deepening your knowledge and skills, enabling career advancement, and qualifying you for licensure.
- Master’s Degrees: Many master’s programs in psychology or social work are available, often online, taking 2-3 years. Professionals with a master’s degree find work in psychological services, education, prisons, government, private practice, and career centers. Many programs prepare you for licensure, which can broaden your opportunities for independent work.
- Doctoral Degrees (Ph.D. vs. Psy.D.): The doctorate is the highest degree in psychology, and whether you need one depends on your career goals.
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- Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy): Primarily focused on academia, research, and scholarly publications. Ideal for those aspiring to be professors or researchers.
- Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology): Generally practice-oriented, focusing on developing skills for clinical practice in various specialties. While research may be involved, the emphasis is on direct client work.
Beyond graduate degrees, various certifications and credentials can be attained as you progress in your career. The following section will detail some of these options.
Important Note: Licensure and credentialing requirements vary by state and specific body. Always consult the relevant licensing board for precise details.
Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification
- Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
- International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium
Certified Brain Injury Specialist
Do you have experience working with individuals with a brain injury? If you have at least 500 hours of verifiable direct contact experience, you may be qualified to sit for this certification exam.
Brain Injury Association of America
Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP)
This credential recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a sufficient level of knowledge and skill to provide integrated employment services to a variety of populations.
Association of People Supporting Employment First (ASPE)
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)
Take a look at this PDF to learn more about the requirements for becoming a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
Child Development Association Certificate (CDA)
Hoping to work with children? Take a look at this certification designed to help professionals foster the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of young children.
Council for Professional Recognition: Child Development Association Certificate
Child Life Specialist
Child life specialists are pediatric health care professionals who work with children and families in hospitals and other settings to help them cope with the challenges of hospitalization, illness, and disability.
Counselors, Clinicians and Therapists
Depending on the state in which you live, you may see different titles and professional licenses for mental health professionals. Below is an example of just a few:
- Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADAC)
- Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP)
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Bay Path’s very own Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program is designed to prepare students for licensure in Massachusetts, as well as meets the requirements for many other states. The Bay Path graduate program website contains a list of all of the states along with a direct link to each state licensing board.
Professional Licensure Disclosure: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Direct Support Professional Certification
The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals offers several different certifications geared towards the direct service professionals. The Direct Support Certification offers several different levels of certification, all geared towards the helping professional supporting people with disabilities.
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals
Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP)
Interested in human services? Check out this credential through the Center of Credentialing and Education.
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Interested in applied behavioral analysis (ABA)? Check out the requirements to become a registered behavior technician (RBT). This role provides direct care under the supervision of a board certified behavioral analyst (BCBA). The RBT credential does not require a college degree, so this is a great opportunity for anyone looking to pursue a career in ABA.
Social Work
- Licensed Social Worker Associate (LSWA)
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW)
Check out this link to learn more about the social work licensing requirements in Massachusetts: Association of Social Work Boards. Don’t live in Massachusetts? Conduct a quick Google search to find your state’s licensure board and state-specific requirements.