Cheapest/Fastest way to get 12 CR?

[joben]

" I've gone back and forth between looking at MSW programs and MA/MS in clinical mental health counseling."

A couple things to consider:
1. If you plan to travel around -- know that the MSW is more portable where as if you change states as a counselor you may need to take additional classes and get recredentialed.
2. While not always the case -- in general, social workers connect people to resources (people, places, things -- that include counselors.) Counselors talk to people about their issues and help them find coping mechanics and solutions to problems.  Social work - refer out. Counselor - refer within the client.

Yeah, that's kind of what has me back and forth on the matter. I'm primarily interested in dealing directly with the client/patient, which lends itself more towards a therapy/counseling focus, in my estimation. But, there is the "portability" and general versatility that's certainly a draw for a social work degree and licensure. 


Anecdotally speaking, at least in my area...when it comes to therapists/counselors (both private practice and through agencies, hospitals, clinics, etc), LSW/LCSW's *dramatically* outnumber LPC/LCPC's. I don't know if that holds true elsewhere as well, but at least around me it seems like pursuing an MSW/LCSW is a much more popular or "trendy" option. And I'd prefer to not be influenced by that, but it does play some factor, I think... (and of course it may simply be that it is currently more popular for good reason, as well)