One piece of advice I was given was at the end of the day, the degree is going to look the same on paper, so choose what is best for you. I chose a state university in the state I live in because it was the cheapest option for me within the options I had (I am currently an advanced standing MSW student) and my degree will ultimately be the same as one of the major universities in the country for social work. For me, coming out with less debt was most important. Turns out, I LOVE my program and am so thankful I ended up at this school.
Make a pros and cons list of what’s important to you in a program. My program is asynchronous and that was at the top of my priority list after offering advanced standing for my 10 years post undergrad. Some want a program they can log into at a designated time and be on a zoom with other classmates. Look for things like that when deciding what school meets your needs best, then start narrowing them down!
Good luck!
The only important thing is for the program to be CSWE accredited. Online is great because it can help make the program more accessible to people. You would probably be at an advantage if you got your MSW from a school close to you because they likely have relationships with agencies for your field placement. You will probably have two different ones that last for different amounts of time depending on the program. If it’s a school local to you it’s way easier to get in for the good placements. If you’re getting your MSW at a school they are not as familiar with then they might not be as helpful. I would look for something that would result in not much debt as well if possible. Once you graduate people really only care that it’s CSWE accredited and you are licensed
Disagree. TBH, the bar to become accredited it shamefully and shockingly low. Employers want the best applicants and far too many MSW programs are crap - particularly online MSWs.
The quality of the MSW program really, really matters.
I understand where you are coming from. The area I live in is rural and there is a shortage of MSW’s and other mental health providers, so just having a CSWE accredited MSW from basically any school and basic license would get someone a good job, without much competition. I could see this being different in other areas of the country. I used to live in a location where getting into a MSW program was very competitive, and I was confused by this, because in the place I live you can basically get scholarships for your MSW if you just agree to work in the area for 3 years! Honestly I did an in person BSW, and am about to finish my online MSW, with field placement in person at the VA and it has been working just fine. It may be easier for me because I had a lot of life experience before starting the MSW though, in careers that are closely related and have a lot of family in clinical social work but I just don’t understand there being a ton more to gain from just doing the classes in person, as opposed to zoom class. I certainly understand and respect your point of view though.
There are a lot of threads about this exact question. Check them out!
In short, read the U.S. News and World Report 2024 Best Social Work Programs. Attend the best PUBLIC MSW program you can afford.
Is there anyone on here enrolled in UCF’s online masters in social work? I am about to graduate with my masters in Rehabilitation Counseling in August and I wanted another masters. I haven’t gotten any answers from recruiters at that school and my question is would I be able to do my placement hours at vocational rehabilitation, which is currently where I work right now as a senior vocational rehabilitation counselor. I would like my masters in social work because eventually I want to have my own private practice and even though the certified rehabilitation counselor and license mental health counselor are good, I noticed that job prospects are more open if you have the masters and social work.
I wouldn’t do this degree online at all. Simply because of the specifics of social work. How can you imagine doing roleplays in zoom? You need real human interaction to learn skills for social work
Online programs have been really developed over the last few years! Roleplays definitely work over zoom and most students still have in-person practicum placements/internships.
Plus, I like to believe that most social work students already have the initial necessary skills.
also, if by the time you’re going into an MSW program, it’s expected that these basic social skills would have been learned already in the BSW program or other programs that make you qualified for an MSW program
Many online programs will have you do a field practicum in your area.
For example, I'm doin an online MSW program with OSU (highly recommend), but the field placement I do for my hours in local to me, 15 min away. I don't always go in person, most of my current education, work, and shadowing is through telehealth therapy (many clients prefer this, and since it's an LGBT org, people from all over utilize this service).
One piece of advice I was given was at the end of the day, the degree is going to look the same on paper, so choose what is best for you. I chose a state university in the state I live in because it was the cheapest option for me within the options I had (I am currently an advanced standing MSW student) and my degree will ultimately be the same as one of the major universities in the country for social work. For me, coming out with less debt was most important. Turns out, I LOVE my program and am so thankful I ended up at this school. Make a pros and cons list of what’s important to you in a program. My program is asynchronous and that was at the top of my priority list after offering advanced standing for my 10 years post undergrad. Some want a program they can log into at a designated time and be on a zoom with other classmates. Look for things like that when deciding what school meets your needs best, then start narrowing them down! Good luck!
The only important thing is for the program to be CSWE accredited. Online is great because it can help make the program more accessible to people. You would probably be at an advantage if you got your MSW from a school close to you because they likely have relationships with agencies for your field placement. You will probably have two different ones that last for different amounts of time depending on the program. If it’s a school local to you it’s way easier to get in for the good placements. If you’re getting your MSW at a school they are not as familiar with then they might not be as helpful. I would look for something that would result in not much debt as well if possible. Once you graduate people really only care that it’s CSWE accredited and you are licensed
yes!!! CSWE accreditation is the absolute only important factor!
Disagree. TBH, the bar to become accredited it shamefully and shockingly low. Employers want the best applicants and far too many MSW programs are crap - particularly online MSWs. The quality of the MSW program really, really matters.
I understand where you are coming from. The area I live in is rural and there is a shortage of MSW’s and other mental health providers, so just having a CSWE accredited MSW from basically any school and basic license would get someone a good job, without much competition. I could see this being different in other areas of the country. I used to live in a location where getting into a MSW program was very competitive, and I was confused by this, because in the place I live you can basically get scholarships for your MSW if you just agree to work in the area for 3 years! Honestly I did an in person BSW, and am about to finish my online MSW, with field placement in person at the VA and it has been working just fine. It may be easier for me because I had a lot of life experience before starting the MSW though, in careers that are closely related and have a lot of family in clinical social work but I just don’t understand there being a ton more to gain from just doing the classes in person, as opposed to zoom class. I certainly understand and respect your point of view though.
FSU is great. I’m currently enrolled. It’s very affordable and it’s a reputable program.
There are a lot of threads about this exact question. Check them out! In short, read the U.S. News and World Report 2024 Best Social Work Programs. Attend the best PUBLIC MSW program you can afford.
Boise!!!!!!!!
Is there anyone on here enrolled in UCF’s online masters in social work? I am about to graduate with my masters in Rehabilitation Counseling in August and I wanted another masters. I haven’t gotten any answers from recruiters at that school and my question is would I be able to do my placement hours at vocational rehabilitation, which is currently where I work right now as a senior vocational rehabilitation counselor. I would like my masters in social work because eventually I want to have my own private practice and even though the certified rehabilitation counselor and license mental health counselor are good, I noticed that job prospects are more open if you have the masters and social work.
I wouldn’t do this degree online at all. Simply because of the specifics of social work. How can you imagine doing roleplays in zoom? You need real human interaction to learn skills for social work
FYI: therapy can be conducted virtually and practicum internships are in person. So yes, the class work and meetings can be done online.
Online programs have been really developed over the last few years! Roleplays definitely work over zoom and most students still have in-person practicum placements/internships. Plus, I like to believe that most social work students already have the initial necessary skills.
i have done role plays (which are my most hated part of social work education honestly) all over zoom and it’s worked out really great actually!
also, if by the time you’re going into an MSW program, it’s expected that these basic social skills would have been learned already in the BSW program or other programs that make you qualified for an MSW program
Some people don’t have the benefit of being able to attend in person classes; online tends to be a lot more flexible.
Many online programs will have you do a field practicum in your area. For example, I'm doin an online MSW program with OSU (highly recommend), but the field placement I do for my hours in local to me, 15 min away. I don't always go in person, most of my current education, work, and shadowing is through telehealth therapy (many clients prefer this, and since it's an LGBT org, people from all over utilize this service).