On one level it makes no difference and on another it is a factor. Going to a school that is perceived as more difficult to get into (more selective) and having a rigorous academic program will carry more weight with people (going to Harvard does make a difference). So certainly locally the Univ. of Michigan has that type of reputation. Now that said, getting licensed is the primary goal and as long as the program does this you will be in good shape.

It is important to consider if you want a degree in counseling, psychology, or social work. Each is different – you may wish to chedk out the licencing site: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-27417_27529_27536—,00.html

DA

The extent to which your choice matters depends upon what you want to do. If you want to teach and do research, go for a doctoral degree rather than an M.S., M.A., or MSW, and try to get into the best-ranked program you can. These vary by the subfield of psychology you are looking at (e.g., clinical vs. developmental vs. cognitive, etc). Stay far, far away from any school that claims it can “run you through in a year”–it’s probably a scam (I’ve never heard of Michigan School of Professional psychology, so that’s not meant as a dis on them). If you are planning on a clinical or counseling career, definitely go with a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (see link below). Attending a program not accredited by APA will make your professional life significantly more difficult, and this is a difficult enough path already. University of Michigan is a good school, and as a bonus they have an APA-accredited internship affiliated with it, meaning you might have a shot at not having to relocate for internship (which most people have to do).

Whatever you do, stay away from online programs in psychology. No matter what you are told by people in those programs or working for them, they are NOT well accepted in the field of psychology and going that route will severely limit your ability to license and choose amongst professional options in the future.

A master’s degree in psychology or social work will allow you to do some therapy (check the licensure law for the state you want to work in). A fuller range of career options is open to you if you go for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), including psychological testing, forensic work, research, and teaching. A reputable master’s degree takes about 2 years to complete. A reputable doctoral degree takes 4-7 years to complete (you get your master’s along the way). Doctoral programs are extremely competitive to get into and the work is definitely challenging, but ultimately it’s a very rewarding career.