agentofchange

I believe this is a valid concern for many people entering graduate school. My current MSW program requires a lot of reading and writing. I typically read 300-400 pages a week and always have writing assignments due. I have a few lengthy papers due this semester, but it's definitely manageable if you have decent time management skills. It's intense if you're full-time because you are having to juggle several classes at once, but I'm sure you would be fine! Good luck!!!

If you decide to pursue the BSW degree, you're eligible for advanced standing MSW programs in most areas. With that being said, you can finish your master's in one year instead of two years. That's one thing to consider if you're serious about pursuing a career in social work. I'm not a social worker yet. I start graduate school in a few weeks for my MSW! My bachelor's degree is in communication, so it will take me two years to finish my MSW.

Hello! It really depends on what your ultimate goal is. What do you plan to achieve with a MSW? While health care management and social work coexist and work together in many areas, they are very different degrees. I believe that both degrees could work well with a MSW, but I would suggest taking both health care management and social work courses before deciding on a concrete path. Like I mentioned before, it all boils down to what you have in mind for a career and what you enjoy doing most.

Thanks so much for your input! I definitely enjoy physically highlighting and writing my own little notes, so I'm not entirely sure how I feel about e-books. I know the Kindle app for many devices allows you to highlight, make in text notes, and it saves all of that content to a special clipboard where you can view it. They are a lot cheaper than the physical copies, so I'm trying to weigh the options! Thanks so much for your response!

Hello, all! I hope you're all excited about beginning and/or finishing your respected MSW programs! My orientation is in two weeks, so I'm getting ready to buy my textbooks, etc. Some of you have mentioned purchasing e-books instead of the physical copies. If you prefer the digital format, what do you like and dislike most about it? Do you have an e-reader application on your computer or do you have a Kindle, Nook, iPad, etc? I'm a little hesitant to transition to the digital side of things, so any insight would be fantastic. Thanks so much!

Hello! We're so happy that you found the forum. It's been a fantastic resource for me during the MSW application process, etc. In regard to your question about applying for MSW programs while you're finishing up your undergraduate degree - most people apply during their senior year. I applied for MSW programs beginning October of my senior year (October of 2012). I was unconditionally accepted to all of the programs I applied for. They do, however, require that you submit a final transcript following graduation that documents you have earned a bachelor's degree. I recommend applying for programs before December. I have heard horror stories about people submitting them at the last minute and not being accepted and/or being wait listed. Like I mentioned before, I applied in October of my senior year and received acceptance letters in early February of this year. I hope this helps. Good luck!!!

Several people have posted about this topic, so I'm sure someone can give you an in-depth response or direct you to a post with the appropriate information. For me, though, I don't believe name recognition is quite as important with social workers as it may be for lawyers or medical doctors. Many people on this forum recommend attending state schools because of lower tuition costs, etc, while others are stuck on going to a top 10 school that has outrageous tuition rates. It all depends on preference and what your career goals are. I'm going to a state school because it is nationally ranked, offered me a scholarship, and has a great reputation in my geographic area. You could always try USC for a semester and see how you enjoy it. I know many MSW programs will allow you to transfer a certain number of graduate school credits, so if you don't enjoy USC you may be able to find a school where the classes you took still count.

I agree with the post above. Many MSW programs do not require the GRE if your GPA is 3.0 or higher. The University of Alabama (where I am going for my MSW) recommended taking it anyway for school-wide scholarship purposes.

I was accepted to a local MSW program with volunteer experience at the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, etc. Most programs are looking for volunteer experience that is helping various populations. I've been volunteering at various organizations since 2010, so I've got roughly three years of volunteer experience. Anything and everything will help!

When I refer to both purchasing and renting books for the fall, should I rent some and purchase the others? Just wanted to clear that up!

Hello, all! As we all prepare for our chosen MSW programs, I thought it would be beneficial to discuss and seek advice about renting versus buying textbooks. As an undergraduate student I bought every textbook and spent hundreds of dollars a semester on them. I rarely used them again after that semester. In regard to graduate school, I know that many of my MSW books will be beneficial in the future and are worth purchasing, but I'm not entirely sure which ones I should purchase. As most students can agree, I'm on a budget and would like to save as much money as possible. I've been accepted into a two year, 60-credit hour program that begins in August. My first year is mainly foundation courses: Social Welfare History and Policy Analysis, Human Behavior and Social Environments, Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families, Social Work Practice with Groups, and Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations. Since my first semester is all foundation work (clinical and specialized courses begin second year), is it worth purchasing all of the books or renting? Or both? Any insight would be fantastic!

I think it really depends on what area of social work you are most interested in. Although I have always planned on being a social worker, I chose to pursue bachelor's degree in communication with a minor in social psychology. I wanted to understand the communication process and the various issues we face during human interaction, human development, family development, cognitive impairment, etc. When I started looking for MSW programs that reflected my future goals, I looked for programs that had a clinical focus. In reference to your degree choices, human development and sociology are much different in nature. Human development looks at the physical, cognitive and behavioral development of a person during the life course while sociology looks at issues across a larger population or society. But, as I said before, your choice should reflect your ultimate goal. Are you most interested in clinical work? Are you interested in working with large social welfare agencies? Are you interested in going into policy and/or advocacy? Research your future options and you will make the best choice for YOU! Good luck with everything!

I get asked this on a weekly basis. When I tell them I'm pursuing social work, they tend to ask about what my specific plans are. I tell them about my future plans and they look at me with a confused look. A lot of people say, "Really? Why? Go into nursing or something that actually makes money." I don't think most people understand what social work is, so it's hard to explain it to them.

Hello! Yes, my program requires non-advanced standing students to complete 500 field hours both spring semesters (1,000 hours total). It's about 35 hours a week, I believe. The first spring semester, along with our generalist field placement, we are required to take an integrative seminar class and a research-informed practice course. Is this similiar to your program?

Thanks so much for your response. I will research it a little more before joining!

Good evening, all! Since application season is coming to an end and most of us have chosen our MSW program, I wanted to start a topic about NASW. Have any of you joined yet? My local NASW chapter's annual conference is in September, so I was curious when it would be appropriate to join. For those of you already in graduate school for social work and/ or working in the field, how beneficial has NASW been for you? Thanks!

Thanks so much, socialworkphd. I agree that undergrad is all about "faking it until you make it" and places a strong emphasis on memorization. Although I have enjoyed my undergraduate career, I am looking forward to implementing what I'm learning. The program I'm beginning requires us to have 1,000 field placement hours prior to graduation, so I hope to acquire valuable experience during that time. I will do 500 hours each spring semester of the program.

Hmsw2013, Congratulations to you, too! Keep us updated on your journey. I will try and do the same!

Hmsw2013, Sounds like you have a full plate this fall! The program I'm beginning requires us to take a full load of coursework each fall and then part time coursework/32-hour a week field placement each spring. I'm beyond excited and can't wait to get started!!

Kris427, Wow! Your courses seem much different than mine, however the main idea should be the same. I have heard that there will be a lot of writing, group projects, etc., but that's from past students of the program I am entering (University of Alabama). Anyone else want to share their experiences?

Hello, all. I'm happy to see this forum so active! For those of you who have started a full-time MSW program, how are you enjoying it? I'm beginning a two year, 60-credit hour MSW program in August. I'm stoked to get started but a little nervous as well. The program I have been accepted to requires non-advanced standing students to take five courses the first semester: human behavior and social environments, social welfare history and policy analysis, social work with individuals, social work with groups, and social work with communities. I'm sure it will be a general overview of the field, but I would like to hear about the experiences you guys have had your first semester. I look forward to hearing from you!

University of Alabama! Begin in August. Concentrating in direct services to adults and families/program and agency administration. Anyone else on my end of the country attending UA?

Hi, all. I have noticed that most of you are applying/have been accepted to schools out west or in the northeast, but has anyone been accepted to the University of Alabama's two year MSW program? I received my acceptance letter in January and would like to connect with upcoming students and/or alumni. Hope to hear from you soon!