List of credentials in psychology

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This list is of professional and academic credentials in the field of psychology and allied fields (psychotherapy, counseling and social work). Academic degrees, such as doctorate are available in these fields, but only those specifically for psychological subjects are included.

1 Degrees
2 Professional licenses
3 Other credentials
4 References

[edit] Degrees

MFT: Marriage and Family Therapist. A master's degree in child development and family relationships.
MSW: Master of Social Work
PsyD: Doctor of Psychology. A Doctor of Philosophy degree requires the student to create relevant and helpful research. The PsyD student does not have to do as much research, focusing more on clinicals.

[edit] Professional licenses

LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LMSW: Licensed Master Social Worker
ACSW: Academy of Certified Social Workers
LIS: Licensed Independent Social Worker
LCS: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LICSW: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
LMA: Licensed Masters Social Work - Advanced Clinical Practitioner

CSW: Clinical Social Worker

These professional licenses are issued by U.S. state or national certification boards (or in the case of the ACSW, a professional organization, the National Association of Social Workers) to graduate degree holders and license them to practice social work and, usually, nonmedical psychotherapy. Such professionals also hold a graduate degree, often an MSW. Mental health providers must usually hold such a certification before receiving reimbursement from insurance companies.

LMFT: Licensed Marital and Family Therapist
MFCC: Marriage, Family and Child Counselor

This license is specifically for family and child counseling and issued by U.S. state boards to graduate degree holders.

LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor
LCPC: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (the LPC is a prerequisite for this license)
LPL: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
CAD: Chemical Dependency Licensure
DAC: Drug and Alcohol Counselor

U.S. state licensing boards grant these licenses to practitioners holding a graduate degree with applicable clinical experience.

[edit] Other credentials

ARNPP
MHN

Registered nurses who hold master's degree in psychatric-mental health nursing.

BCD: Board Certified Diplomate. An endorsement by a certifying board that a high level of competence is displayed in a professional subject matter. These can be held by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers or counselors.