olayak

They were really understanding and helpful. They were always accessible. I feel like most social workers are understanding of special circumstances. The deadlines are strict but they do understand special circumstances.

Honestly, I knew people who were in that program, we had classes together, but I really don't remember. Sorry! I think the big difference is that they spread the internship out so that it goes for 12 months (fewer hours each week) instead of 8 months (21 hrs each week). But I could be remembering wrong. I think other people in the program kept their existing social work job and that counted towards their internship. If it's the program for working professionals I'm sure they make it manageable. They're super nice and will usually work with you to fix any problem.

Hi, I got my MSW from NYU in 2011. Trust me, you will have no time to work a job while going to school. The program involves taking a full course load (4 classes) plus a 21 hr per week internship. The little time you have left will be spent on school work. Some people do manage to work a couple of hours per week but they find it very difficult. You'll be able to work in the summer, tho. I hope that helps. Is be happy to answer any questions about the program. I'm returning this fall to NYU to get my DSW!

I have found that they both have equally as reputable programs. NYU is mostly just clinical while Hunter has "tracks" so you can focus on what you're most interested in. So Hunter also has a clinical track. NYU can be a little more psychoanalytic while Hunter can be more psychodynamic. I hope that helps!

I don't know if you saw a previous post that was similar to this, comparing NYU and Hunter. Honestly, I have my MSW from NYU but I have THREE degrees from Hunter (BA, MSEd, MA), NYU is great but cost a fortune and I'm now in serious debt. Hunter has an amazing social work program. If I had to do it again I'd get my MSW from Hunter. And like Columbia, it has "tracks" so you can focus on your specific interests. I still love NYU and I'm going back for my DSW, but if I had to do it again I would get my MSW at Hunter because it is equally as good but costs a fraction of the price.

Hi, I'm still looking to connect with any DSW applicants! Or current DSW students! Are there any on Grad Cafe?

Hi I have a MSW from NYU and I also have a BA, MSEd, and MA (Psychology) from Hunter. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have Honestly, I love NYU and I'm going back for my DSW in the fall. But I really love Hunter and they have an amazing MSW program. The NYU program put me in serious hardcore student loan debt. The Hunter MSW program is great and also affordable. To be honest, if I had to do it all again I would go to Hunter instead of NYU for my MSW. Just my 2 cents.

Sure

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks! Glad I didn't send an email yet. ?

Thank you!

Hi, The coordinator of one of the schools that I applied to told me that I could have a decision by March. My interview was at the end of January. However, during the interview the director of the program told me I will probably have a decision by April. The other program I applied to doesn't even start interviewing until April. So, do I email the coordinator and ask what my current status is? Or do I just suck it up and wait it out? Thanks!

A PhD is primarily for people who want to do research. That's not being out in the world being an advocate. It's being in a room, analyzing data. Also, it's for people who want to be a full time professor, as a career. You can be an adjunct professor with a MSW. You don't need a phd for credibility in this field. There are many highly successful social worker who have a LCSW. Continuing education is required to maintain your license and there are tons of training opportunities, so you'll always be working towards becoming a more skilled practitioner. You don't need a phd to be more credible or to be a good advocate. You just need to work hard and be passionate about your work. You can even be the director of a program one day. You don't need a phd to run an agency. Or you can develop a new treatment modality. There's so much you can do with the LCSW. The PhD is for researcher and teachers, not advanced practitioners. Trust me, you wont survive a phd program if you're not into research. If you do want to go for a doctorate, I suggest you consider the DSW (doctor of social work). It's a practical doctorate and seems to fit your interests more. It's for people who want to be advanced practitioners, administrators and policy makers.

It's not necessary for you to get a phd to do the things you want to do. A phd is more for research and if you want to be a professor. You don't NEED a phd to achieve your goals. Technically, in social work, you don't even need it to do research or teach. Maybe you should think a little more about why you want the phd. It's a lot of time and work just to have "doctor" in front of your name in a field where it's not required.

A DSW is a practical degree, less research focused. It's more about developing treatments rather than just studying them. It's also about program evaluation, administration, policy, and teaching practice classes. It's basically like a PsyD vs PhD psychology. It's practical applications, rather than research focused. It's for people who want to be more skilled, knowledgeable practitioners, rather than people who want to be deep in academia. There are quite a few reputable online DSW programs includingRutgers, I Tennessee and U Penn. NYU also has a great DSW program, but it's local. I belive USC also has a great DSW. All DSW programs are designed so you can work full time while going to school. You can't do that with a PhD. Like I said, the DSW is for practitioners (clinical social workers, administrators, founders of a non profit, policy makers) for whom working is very important rather than PHD student for whom the research and academia are the most important. Hope that helps!

Most people who complete the PhD are in their 30s or 40s, very few are in their late 20s and those tend to be exceptional candidates. The majority tend to be in their early 30s. And most phd programs have free tuition and free health insurance and also a stipend for the student, often around $30,000 per year so cost isn't an issue. Doctoral programs are full time so you won't also be able to work too. It's up to you how to work your school around a family, but that would happen with a regular job anyway. I know you don't want to hear it but you're actually very young and just starting your career. Either go for a combined MSW/PhD, if you want to accelerate the path, or do the MSW first and then the PhD. Or don't do the PhD at all. It's not necessary in this field. You can still teach and do research with the MSW.

I'm 40 and going back for a doctorate. I was 34 when I finished my MSW. There's no time limit. In fact, the schools prefer that you have more experience under your belt. For phd programs they prefer people with like 10 yrs of experience. Because then you really know the field. 24 is still very very young. Do the MSW, do the 3 yrs work experience and then go for the PhD.

So, unless you are doing a joint MSW/PhD, the best plan of action is to do the MSW, do 2-3 yrs of work, then apply for the PhD. This will make you a much stronger candidate even for the programs that don't require it. There is a big difference between bachelor's level social work and master's level social work and they want to make sure that you can handle it.

NYU's PhD program says " While post-MSW practice experience is not a requirement, at least three years of experience is recommended".

Most PhD programs won't let you apply until you have several years of POST MSW experience. Usually 2-3 years. And they usually want you to have your master's level license. So there's no rush. Do the MSW, and apply to PhD programs as soon as you have finished your 2nd year of post-masters work. For example: The CUNY Graduate Center PhD program requires: An M.S.W. or related Master's degree (i.e., Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Education, etc.) from an accredited program A minimum of three years Post-Masters experience working in the human services

Hi, For the people who received decision notices already - did you get a decision soon after your interview or did you have to wait several weeks? I'm totally biting my nails waiting for a response.

I've always felt like that and I have three masters degrees. Look up "impostor syndrome". Some schools even have support groups that deal with this. Don't worry, you totally deserve to be there. You can do it!

Congrats!

Has anyone applied to DSW programs? There are some great programs out there, I'm really surprised that there are no DSW applicants on this forum!

Many PhD programs won't even let you apply unless you have the MSW license. I agree with others, go for a combined MSW/PhD. That way you can get the best of both worlds.

Hunter has one of the best programs in the country, in my opinion. I got my MSW at NYU and although it was a great program, I regret not going to Hunter. I got my BA and my MSED from Hunter, so I really like the school. It's very smart to go to Hunter. In my opinion, it's a better program than either NYU or Columbia. Not enough people realize that.