A Masters degree is a briefer training program, often around two years past the undergraduate Bachelors degree. Relevant degrees include:
M.S.W. - Masters in Social Work. This is the traditional degree for Social Workers. In some states, the title LCSW is used for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or a variation on this theme.
M.Ed. - Masters in Education. Many counselors have this degree or the similar M.S.Ed. It is given by schools of education in almost any field of Education. Some states also license Counselors:
L.P.C. - Licensed Professional Counselor.
M.F.C.C. is used in some states to identify a Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor.
M.S. or M.A. - Masters of Science or Masters of Arts. These are the traditional degrees given by "Colleges of Arts and Sciences" In the United States a Masters degree in Psychology has not been considered a "terminal degree." A psychologist (other than a School Psychologist) generally needs a doctorate to be licensed. Some Canadian provinces license psychologists with a Masters degree. A few states are also beginning to do this.
Ed.S. - Educational Specialist. This is a degree which involves more training than a Masters degree and less than a doctorate. Some School Psychologists have this degree, as do some counselors.
M.Div. - Masters of Divinity - another degree that ministers get - some of whom are pastoral counselors.
Certifiable
Other initials stand for "certifications" in certain areas. A certification is similar to a license, but with a more limited scope of practice. Some common certifications are:
CSAC - Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. This is someone with extra training in substance abuse. They generally have at least a Bachelors degree (the basic four year college degree). In most stated they cannot practice independently.
CAC - Certified Alcoholism Counselor. Similar to a CSAC, but with an emphasis in alcohol.
Boards
Physicians generally pass "specialty boards" to become "board certified in Psychiatry" or other specialties.
A.B.P.P - Psychologists can also become board certified, but this is an extra credential which many psychologist do not get. The American Board of Professional Psychology allows psychologists who pass their test to use these initials.
F.A.C.P. - is a Fellow, American College of Physicians
B.C.F.E. - Some specialty boards are suspect because they allow almost anyone to pay a hefty fee and get the credential. Until recently many professionals could use these initials with modest training and without passing any test. This board (the American Board of Forensic Examiners) has plans to "certify" professionals in psychology and other disciplines. The main advantage of this certification seems to be the extra letters after your name.
What if it's just "Doctor"?
If you read an article which is written by a "doctor," and the author does not specify what type of doctor they are, then be skeptical. One prominent example is the popular "Doctor Laura" on the radio. She is not a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Her doctorate, in fact, is in Physiology and she is licensed as an M.F.C.C. This does not mean that she can't give helpful advice, it means that her doctorate does not qualify her to do what she does. Be careful out there....
