TherapistyChristy

ASU online MSW is not clinical. I attend the ASU program and I love it, but that is something to consider.

I got accepted to USC last week... But I am sticking with ASU because USC told me I have to pay my $280 reserve fee before I find out about my scholarship application result.

Walden has a CSWE MSW now... And they only require a 2.5. I didn't even see a requirement for recommendations. Just a bachelors of 2.5 or higher and a goal statement.

I plan to work in mental health. One of my classes has led to an interest in child welfare, which I would have never imagined for myself.

39 year old female, veteran, lesbian, licensed mental health counselor...

I was also offered admission to CWRU... But the cost is just too much. I chose to go with a school that balanced reputability with cost (Arizona State University) and I love my program so far. I cannot justify paying CWRU tuition for a social worker salary. Christina

This was a hard decision for me as well... I got into Case Western, Simmons, Widener, and some other expensive programs. I also got into Western New Mexico and ASU, which are must less expensive programs. I ended up choosing Arizona State because it is full time, good price, good program, and allowed me to start in January, which will mean I graduate faster. I initially wanted a clinical program, but decided to go for generalist since my 1st masters is clinical. Follow your heart... Weigh the pros and cons. When I did research on schools like Case Western, I learned that the programs are high ranking for reasons that do not concern quality of program or selectivity standards of the program.

Yeah... So after much thought and weighing pros and cons, I am going to choose WNMU (assuming I am accepted). I do not care about rankings and all that BS anymore. Here is what I care about: 1. They are charging me in state rates, so my GI BILL covers ALL of the cost. 2. They are accepting 21 semester hours of transfer from my MA in Counseling Psych. That leaves me with 45 semester hours 3. They are CSWE accredited. Isn't that what matters most? I hope so. I will be able to go full time and not cram because of the transfer credit. Widener is only offer 9 and other programs none. Anyone else getting over the rankings hoopla and making your choice based on different criteria? Christina

I really do not know how to answer that question... I was accepted, but I have a pretty good record thanks to attending school as an adult and not a fresh from high school teenager! I would say apply, write a really strong and impressive personal statement, and give it all you got.

I did get accepted. It was pretty painless... Applied, personal statement, transcripts, resume, and recs. Waited a week or so, was admitted.

I will do that... I was accepted into Widener's program.

Very good input... Thank you. I had read the same things about the quality versus rankings... I guess my fear with WNMU is that they will lose their accreditation when I am halfway through their program as they get reassessed in 2017. I thought it was suspect that they will take 21 credits from my MA coursework since none of my coursework came from a MSW program. I feel like it is too good to be true. As for the clinical question... I guess I was focusing there because it is what I enjoy and I could study clinical aspects of anything and never be bored. But you make a good point. Honestly, I want to be a social worker but did not have access to a social work program when I got my MA because I was living overseas and was limited to an extended campus of an American university. My MA was the only clinical grad program they had. It was not CACREP accredited, which means I cannot be a VA employee now as they recently changed their rules and require CACREP (mine was CACREP aligned, not CACREP accredited). Still got me licensure, but no VA job :). I cannot imagine commuting that much while working and dealing with life, though I wish I could find a closer program. I do not enjoy online as much as I do face to face interactions.

I think what you have experienced is ridiculous! Absolutely insane. This *IS* the time for you to explore, make mistakes, and receive constructive and respectful feedback from a site supervisor. When I supervised counseling interns getting their Masters, I was blunt and matter of fact, but never disrespectful like that and I always provided the feedback away from the client unless it was potentially harmful. I am sorry you are having this issue. Please speak with a mentor or supervisor regarding this experience. These are things that should be brought up in individual supervision with your internship supervisor.

Late in the summer, I began applying for late admissions to various MSW programs. I was able to complete my application for Simmons and I was accepted, but I ended up canceling my enrollment due to cold feet about the program. I desperately wanted to find a face to face program in my area, but the closest ones are over an hour and half away and I cannot imagine commuting, working, and taking care of a family while completing field work and coursework! So now I am back to the application process. I have applied to many programs, all have pros and cons and I have no idea which way I am leaning. I have 24 months of post 9/11 GI BILL and I am not eligible for yellow ribbon because it was transferred to me. Widener: moderately priced, clinical and trauma focused, but not as well ranked as some of the others Simmons (I will have to get my deferral accepted or reapply all over again... waiting to hear back about that): clinical, moderate price, ranked okay USC: clinical, ranked at the top, but the most expensive. I applied for a 25k per year scholarship and will ONLY go there if I am accepted and awarded that scholarship Case Western: clinical, ranked at the top... expensive and scholarships are iffy... will only go with a scholarship that covers most of my unmet tuition Western New Mexico University: Newly CSWE accredited, so not much history with this. Will take 21 semester hours of transfer credit from my previous Masters in Counseling Psych. Charges GI BILL users in state tuition and GI BILL covers all costs. Arizona State University: GI BILL covers tuition, but is generalist and no clinical. I attended ASU for a doctoral program and I like their format. I am lost and I have no idea what to do. Any input??? Christina

I have just applied for Simmons College MSW online program as well. I have been going back and forth between Simmons and Widener, and as soon as I think I have decided, I change my mind. I almost hope I get rejected from one and accepted to the other so I do not have to decide. I love them both.