Hello I’m a first year at a community college majoring in social work, I really would like to get some job experience in the field so I was just wondering if there were any jobs I could get with an associates degree?
Genuine question, not throwing shade. I am curious how people are getting accepted into MSW programs straight out of a BSW?
I graduated from my BSW in 2024 (finished all classes in winter of 2023 but officially graduated in spring of 2024) and am applying to MSW to begin in 2027. I have been working full time since January of 2024 in various jobs in child welfare and I have found that my professional experience has heavily influenced who I am as a social worker and a big part of my personal statement in my MSW application.
I am wondering how people feel ready to jump straight into a MSW program right after finishing undergrad. I know a lot of us come to this field with pervious experience but most of the programs I have looked into require a minimum of 2 years professional (post BSW) experience.
What makes you feel ready - professionally and academically - to go into a MSW without a couple years under your belt in the field?
I graduated in May with my BSW. I’m going to do an advanced standing Face-to-Face 1yr program which is exciting, but of course I’m concerned about tuition. So far, the estimates look like a bit over $17k, which isn’t too bad for an MSW. I have never had to take out a loan for school before so I’m kind of lost on how to find that, and what loans would be good for me. I unfortunately didnt qualify for financial aid if scholarships from the school either, so I’m looking at other scholarships rn. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it!
hey there everyone! I am preparing to apply to CSU MSW programs in October and wanted some input on my current situation. I want to also say I get the cal vet fee waiver so applying to state schools is important to me because I get my tuition waived. I have 6 months of experience volunteering as a court appointed special advocate and I have a year experience as a bereavement volunteer making calls in a hospice center. I am finishing my last year of undergraduate in sociology and just got an internship with my school being a peer wellness advocate. I’m super excited to start the internship, and it will take place the last year of my undergraduate. I will be trained in crisis management and intervention. I’m very nervous about applying to programs because I feel like I don’t have enough experience to apply based off of some of the application requirements. I wanted to know if any of you have experiences applying in the california area and what it was like for you! Hearing others experiences really helps me and I would sincerely appreciate it:) thank you.
I am planning to apply to social work PhD programs this fall. I had a 3.9 grad gpa and I’m currently a lcswa and a lcasa. However, I have basically no research experience outside of grad school classes. I’ve reached out to every professor I know and none are taking on RAs. What are my chances of getting into a PhD program without formal research experience?
Online, asynchronously delivered MSW programs are notorious for implying that aspiring MSW students' current job will qualify as their MSW internship. In fact, it can't.
Aspiring social workers then commit to asynchronously delivered online MSW programs - that make their students find their own placements (which is horrible in and of itself.) Students then assume that their current, paid, BA-level job will qualify for MSW internship credit only to be sent into a whole process of trying to get it approved (which, in all likelihood, it won't.) After all that mess, the student discovers that they were mislead by their MSW program.
By then the student has already paid for, and taken several classes that are not transferrable to a more reputable MSW program, such as their local public university.
The accreditation body called CSWE is explicit in that the MSW intern's job description must be the same level of competence, skill and capability as the job description of the MSW employee at the placement setting. It's a training position. It's literally a class, and you are a student. MSW STUDENTS ARE NOT FREE LABOR.
At this point the student is stuck: They can't afford to quit their paying job, but the because the burden of finding their own internships is high and the likelihood of finding a paid internship is low, students are in a horrible bind.
Do they quit their jobs and take out loans to pay for their expensive online program? Or "pause" (drop out) their MSW program until they can figure out another internship option?
We are not mad enough about this grift.
i have a bachelors in sociology, is this a decent pathway?
So I'm torn between a MSW at University of Texas at Arlington, a MSW at Chamberlain University, or a Master's in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Cumberlands. For various reasons, those are the schools that fit my needs. I have a long history in social services (15+ years) so it seems logical for me to do a MSW as the next step in my career (and for job security reasons during a very shaky time for the economy) but my long-term goal is to become a therapist and have my own practice (likely in Florida but perhaps NC or NY). I'm interested in which of the three the Redditt community would select? Thanks!
Hey yall! I wanted to get some folks opinions on my situation.
I’m going back for my MSW in the fall (yay!) and I’m trying to figure out my loan options. For context, I have about $112k in private and federal loan debt from undergrad. To make a long story short, I chose to stay in school during a really dark time and struggle mentally instead of taking a year off and ended up losing a year worth of scholarships when my gpa dropped. Huge point of regret, shame and anxiety for me. Given everything that’s going on with SAVE right now, I went over to the student loans sub and asked if folks thought it was worth it to take out federal loans rn vs private loans I can get for 2-3% interest.
What I didn’t expect was to get ripped a new one for going into social work with this much existing debt. I’m at the point with where I’ve just accepted that this debt is gonna be a part of my life for the foreseeable future but that’s also part of what’s driving me to go back to school so I can earn more to then put towards that balance. And based off what I’ve heard from other social workers, debt is not uncommon even if it’s not at the capacity I currently have. So I’m just curious to hear from others if they’ve dealt with something similar? I really don’t see myself doing anything else even if it’s not the most lucrative job out there. Of course if I could afford to pay my own schooling with my current job I absolutely would but I unfortunately can’t.
Any advice is greatly appreciated <3
Sometimes I’m worried that I decided on the MSW and not counseling
I am looking into two programs for my MSW Online.
I work as a Substance Abuse Counselor and University of North Alabama allows me to use my job as internships. The problem is I don’t have a MSW OR LCSW on site. They said I just need to meet with a MSW with two years experience during my internship and hour a week.
Since they do not provide one, I’m worried about having to pay one out of pocket. Are there normally alumni who will do this pro bono or any social workers willing to meet with me once a week during my internship (zoom is allowed) to sign off on my hours, pro bono. I know it’s a long shot.
Has anyone else dealt with this?
For reference, it’s technically a paid internship with my county court dealing with youth and family services. I’ve been there for 2 years and my supervisor was super onboard with keeping me and they’ve sponsored other students msw practicums (from different schools then mine). I know the issues isn’t supervision or the fact that the responsibilities are not related to sw because that’s not the case there. I reached out to my advisor who sent me an application for my supervisor to fill out. My supervisor had questions about it and she told me to have my supervisor contact the director of practicum and he did. The director didn’t answer him for like a week and then my advisor was actually the one who returned his call and they set up a zoom. So that’s weird. From what my supervisor told me, my advisor basically said no because it would be unclear who I represent on the field.
My supervisor himself was confused and I’m confused too. Like…wouldn’t that be the same case with other agencies? I dunno. I’m not understanding why some schools would allow it and some not. Also why wouldn’t the director of practicum meet with my supervisor himself? If it’s a general rule that jobs cannot count as practicums why did she sent me that application? I just feel like the whole situation is weird
I graduated with my BS in social science with a family studies minor over ten years ago. I took on too many classes at times and missed the withdrawal period resulting in some Fs. I have As in all the social
science/social work classes I took.
I want to apply to get my MSW, but am
worried that I don’t have the 3.0 that says is
required. Has anyone gotten accepted into MSW programs with a lower GPA?
Hi all!
I’m expected to start my MSW part-time online next Summer 2027. I’m working full time, and hopefully will be able to complete both of my internships for the nonprofit I work for. I’m quite nervous because it’s been a while since I finished my bachelor’s degree, and also because English is my second language.
Is there anyone who is currently studying this program online who could give me insight into the schedule, time requirements, and perhaps tips to nail it?
I just interviewed for a practicum placement and it went awfully. They told me they were looking for someone with more experience. Just to be clear, I am at a school where we’re placed by a coordinator and practicum is essentially guaranteed. I was a bit confused when I was placed working with the senior population as someone who is interested in school-based social work. I just assumed since it’s my foundational year it might be a given to have a placement outside of my interests.
Cut to my interview and the folks interviewing me seemed very displeased with my lack of experience with older adults. I am an intern potentially working at this place for free and had to no choice in the matter of where I held an interview anyways. Of course I would have preferred a school-based assignment, but it wasn’t ultimately my choice. It doesn’t help that I have severe interview anxiety :/ I just feel bummed after already having an awful week and honestly scared for my future. This is mostly a rant but I’d love advice if anyone has had a similar experience. Is anyone else as awful at interviewing as I am? :,)
Choosing between these two MSW programs for fall and would love input or opinions from folks who know either.
My current goal is to specialize in perinatal mental health and PMADs, eventually working in a hospital or medical setting toward LCSW. I come from a policy and birth work background so I have a pretty specific clinical direction already.
NYU feels like the stronger program fit and everyone I've spoken to prefers it. Columbia has better research infrastructure and medical center access, which seems relevant for my specialty ... but I genuinely don't know if that matters at the MSW level or only post-licensure.
Cost is basically identical at sticker.
Has anyone attended either programs and have insights or strong feelings? Or specialized in maternal/perinatal health through either program??
Would love honest takes. Thank you!!
Hi yall,
I’m a bit nervous to knowing that starting August some of us will be applying to the MSW at CSULB or other universities. That being said I have a few questions especially if you got in, did you already have SW experience? What was your gpa? How many letters of recommendation did you get? From who did you get them? (Professors, academic advisors, employer, etc)?
Hiii, I’m currently deciding between two MSW programs — Hunter CUNY in NYC and UC Berkeley. For context, I’m 23 (F) I graduated from UC Berkeley for undergrad and I’m from California. I wanted a change of scenery for grad school but I’m wondering if moving for Hunter would be worth it…
I would be paying out of state tuition for Hunter (only for the first year) and they haven’t offered any scholarship (yet). Berkeley would be a little cheaper (34k for two years vs Hunter being 44k for the two years) because I was offered a scholarship. I’ve weighed the pros and cons and both schools seem like great options. Ofc moving and adjusting to a new environment would be a challenge but it could necessary, especially since I’ve been in Berkeley for the past 4 years.
If any Hunter or Berkeley MSW students would offer some advice it be greatly appreciated!
Hey!
Budding social worker here!
I’ve applied to two programs (got into one, applying to the second next month!)
I’m pursuing social work for a few reasons:
- I genuinely enjoy the work and material (almost done with my MPP!)
- My military benefits cover tuition (they are paying for an mpp, msw, and doctorate if I want one)
- Honestly: I’m looking at commissioning or going to the VA for steady pay and benefits.
That said, I view it as a job. I clinically “care” about people, but it’s not some higher calling for me.
I bring this up because when people find out I’m doing social work, I get comments like “omg, you’re such a good person!” or “that’s amazing!” I’m flattered, but to me it’s just a job. My parents do the same thing: “you’re going to grow up and help so many people.”
I have learned to smile and nod because when I try to respond I get comments like “so… why don’t you do something you’re passionate about?” I don’t have a passion for labor my guy lol. Like I said earlier, money and benefits.
I guess it got me thinking: how do you view your role?
I could really use some encouragement or honest advice.
I recently applied to several MSW programs. My overall undergraduate GPA is around a 2.8, but I graduated with a BA in Psychology from UC San Diego and currently work full-time as a Mental Health Technician/Community Care Coordinator with adolescents in residential mental health.
I wrote an optional statement explaining my academic challenges and had strong professional letters of recommendation.
So far I've been:
- Accepted to Loyola Chicago
- Rejected from Fordham
- Rejected from USC
I'm still waiting to hear back from NYU, and honestly I'm losing hope. I know NYU is very competitive, and after these recent decisions I'm expecting another rejection.
Has anyone here been admitted to NYU Silver (or another competitive MSW program) with a GPA around 2.8? If so, what do you think made the difference in your application? I'd really appreciate hearing your experiences because I'm feeling discouraged right now.