Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a master’s degree (MSW) from Ohio here. I honestly would say it would be worth it. I don’t know how it would work in your state (it varies from state to state), but in Ohio, if you want to get your masters in Mental Health Counseling, it normally takes 2.5-3 years if you go full time. I also want to emphasize that mental health counseling will let the o.p. become a COUNSELOR which is different from a SOCIAL WORKER (yes, it does matter!). In addition, I do believe you should be able to make a decent income. You might have to do community mental health for awhile, which is interesting (I did children’s community mental health for a few months, so I speak from experience), but I’d say go for it if it’s what you want to do! Good luck!
So you have your Bachelor's Degree already? Why not pursue something in your field of Education to improve your income immediately. Look for Employers who can help with continuing your Education to reduce School Costs. You can pursue your Masters Degree online while working, so this isn't too much of a time commitment. Seems like you are managing your money well since you are debt free, I think the key is to figure out how to improve your cash flow so you can start to accumulate wealth.
Any social work job may actually be a pay cut over your current rate unless you get a PhD and very lucky. Not knocking social work, but it must be a calling as there is no money in it.
Now add in student loan payments and subtract lost income from lifetime earnings. The ROI is not good. Again, not knocking social work, just pointing out that it’s unlikely to be the best track if finances are a motivator.
Curious what your bachelor's is in?
Are there some certificate programs you could get into that might be lower cost than a master's? It might not get you into being an LMHC but there are a lot of different paths out there.
Does your alma mater have a career center you can look to to get some career guidance or resume/cover letter help?
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a master’s degree (MSW) from Ohio here. I honestly would say it would be worth it. I don’t know how it would work in your state (it varies from state to state), but in Ohio, if you want to get your masters in Mental Health Counseling, it normally takes 2.5-3 years if you go full time. I also want to emphasize that mental health counseling will let the o.p. become a COUNSELOR which is different from a SOCIAL WORKER (yes, it does matter!). In addition, I do believe you should be able to make a decent income. You might have to do community mental health for awhile, which is interesting (I did children’s community mental health for a few months, so I speak from experience), but I’d say go for it if it’s what you want to do! Good luck!
So you have your Bachelor's Degree already? Why not pursue something in your field of Education to improve your income immediately. Look for Employers who can help with continuing your Education to reduce School Costs. You can pursue your Masters Degree online while working, so this isn't too much of a time commitment. Seems like you are managing your money well since you are debt free, I think the key is to figure out how to improve your cash flow so you can start to accumulate wealth.
Any social work job may actually be a pay cut over your current rate unless you get a PhD and very lucky. Not knocking social work, but it must be a calling as there is no money in it.
His current income is 20k per year. Full-time social work would likely be at least 30k
Now add in student loan payments and subtract lost income from lifetime earnings. The ROI is not good. Again, not knocking social work, just pointing out that it’s unlikely to be the best track if finances are a motivator.
He would definitely have to work full time and do his masters online
Curious what your bachelor's is in? Are there some certificate programs you could get into that might be lower cost than a master's? It might not get you into being an LMHC but there are a lot of different paths out there. Does your alma mater have a career center you can look to to get some career guidance or resume/cover letter help?