What Do All Those Letters Mean?

The majority of  staff at Hope Cottage are social workers and they all have these letters after their names.  Their credentials that tell us their education and licensure level, but what do they all mean?  For those outside the profession, it is all Greek!





BSW - Bachelor of Social Work, an undergraduate degree in social work

MSW -  Master's degree in social work or social welfare (required for advancement into an LCSW). This degree  represents two years of classroom study and, in each year, an intensive supervised internship. Master of Social Science (MSS) and Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) degrees are equivalent to the MSW.


LBSW - Licensed Bachelor of Social Work.

LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor (LMHC in some states). This is a Master’s level mental health service providers, trained to work with individuals, families, and groups in treating mental, behavioral,and emotional problems and disorders.

LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  This is a social worker who is trained in psychotherapy.  The Licensed Clinical Social Worker has a graduate academic degree, has had supervised clinical work experience, and has passed a national- or state-certified licensing exam. This advanced professional can receive health-care insurance reimbursements.


LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker.  The Licensed Master Social Worker has advanced training, a graduate academic degree, has had supervised clinical work experience, and has passed a national- or state-certified licensing exam.

LMSW-AP - Licensed Master Social Worker, Advanced Practitioner.

LCPAA - Licensed Child Placing Agency Administrator.  Each child placing agency (i.e. Hope Cottage) is required to have one LCPAA on staff.  Requires professional references, management experience and a Master's or Doctorate degree or a Bachelor's degree with two years related experience.

Hope Cottage is the oldest nonprofit, non sectarian adoption agency in Dallas. Since 1918 Hope Cottage has been building and nurturing strong families through counseling, education and adoption services.

If you have questions about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 214.526.8721.

If you are a woman facing an unwanted pregnancy and would like to talk to someone about adoption, please call Hope Cottage at 1.800.944.4464 or 214.404.4546.