michigan girl

Ask yourself these five questions: Did you excel in your coursework? Did you pursue student leadership roles while in college? Did you participate in volunteer or community service activities? Have you interned or worked in pubic and/or nonprofit settings? Finally, do you share a passion for social justice? MSW programs are looking for well-rounded students who demonstrate the above attributes. You don't have to major in the behavioral and social sciences to be considered a "desirable" candidate. All incoming MSW students (except those with advanced standing) take the same foundation courses in the first year. Not all MSW programs require the GRE score (the exception is California).

I know I am joining this discussion late, but I wanted to say something. CageFree, so far your comments on this thread have promoted colorblindness, the shedding of labels so that people are treated by merit only. This is a dangerous view to impose on others because racism (and other forms of isms like class, gender, etc.) will always exist in this country. If you have taken an American history course, race and racism have been a dominant theme since the founding of this nation. Here are few points below: In the early 1800s, blacks were once considered 3/5th of a human. Provisions allowed southern states to count slaves as 3/5 persons for purposes of apportionment in Congress (even though the slaves could not, of course, vote), expressly denied to Congress the power to prohibit importation of new slaves until 1808, and prevented free states from enacting laws protecting fugitive slaves. It took the Civil War Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) to ban slavery, grant citizenship to blacks, AND pass antidiscrimination laws (equal protection and due process clauses). For another 100 years after the Civil War, municipalities passed racial laws to forbid blacks (and other nonwhites where applicable) from living in specific neighborhoods and working in certain occupations.This effect created housing, occupational and school segregation that still hurts blacks economically to this day. For instance, when Social Security was formed, blacks were initially excluded from eligibility. It took Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and successive court rulings to end legal racial discrimination. In the 1960s and beyond, the federal government had to pass federal civil rights and voting rights laws that forbid voter disenfranchisement among blacks and made hate crimes a federal violation. (How ironic that even in the 21st century the Republicans today are pushing voting laws that would disenfranchise minorities and the poor from voting for Obama???) Blacks and other nonwhites today make up a disproportionate percentage of the prison population (especially nonviolent crimes), providing a source of cheap labor for for-profit entities. Since the late 1970s, there has been a nationwide agenda to impoverish minority communities through redlining, war on drugs, the defunding of educational and social service programs, and the attack on affirmative action. Some of the poorest public school districts in this country educate black and brown youth. These schools are under-resourced, have unsafe conditions, and are brainwashing kids for low-paying, menial occupations. As you can see, the plantation system keeps evolving to keep blacks (and other nonwhites) at the bottom of the economic and political ladder. As a black female, I refuse to believe that colorblindness is the answer once you understand the history of this nation. I learned about my identity and cultural heritage as a means of survival and empowerment. In my youth, I can remember struggling with being the only black person in a classroom and my privileged peers were unaware of social inequality because they had the privilege to not think about it. Therefore, CageFree, it is naive to think that everyone should treat each other in a colorblind perspective for two reasons: it denies that racism exists and assumes the voices of the marginalized are not important. President Obama has received more racial slurs than any sitting president because he doesn't look white nor does he have a English-sounding name. As long as you have ignorant fools that continue to downplay his accomplishments, race and racism will still continue to be prevalent in American society.

If your social work program doesn't require summer reading, then I don't think you will fall behind in your courses. All incoming MSW students take foundation courses in human behavior and the social environment, research methods, social work practice (micro vs. macro), social welfare policy and services, and field instruction. By the end of your first year, you will be prepared for advanced-level training in your concentration.

At the master's level, I don't think it's important to contact professors prior to applying to social work programs. All MSW admissions is conducted through an admissions committee comprised of people who hold social work and/or student affairs master's degrees. It is sorta like a undergraduate admissions process but at the graduate level. If you are applying for doctoral programs, however, then it is highly recommended that applicants contact professors directly to get a sense of whether POIs can fund you and match you with ongoing/future research projects.

If you don't want to pay top-dollar for a USC education, make sure that the MSW program that you are applying is located near VA hospitals. For instance, Michigan doesn't have a veterans sub-concentration, but the Ann Arbor VA Hospital does take a few MSW interns who want to specialize in working with military populations..

I enrolled in my first master's degree at age 24 and wont finish my second master's degree until I am 28. Age is just a number. If I return for doctoral studies, I will be in my early-to-mid 30s. In the meantime, I'll focus on career advancement and paying down crucial bills like credit cards and small loans.

Only enroll in CSWE-accredited social work programs. Avoid schools with conditional or rejection status. Non-accredited social work programs will only devalue your degree, and you won't be able to secure employment and/or state licensure.

Does undergraduate GPA matter if you graduated from college nearly ten years ago (hypothetically-speaking)?

citychild, I do know that Simmons and Smith College only offers clinical social work programs. Definitely check out Arizona State or social work programs in the city/state that you hope to work in the near future. Boston College has historically had a strong clinical-focused program, so their macro practice program is still a work in progress. That's why I mentioned Boston University might be the better option for macro social work opportunities in the Boston area. Sam0, I recommend you apply to VCU and UNC-Chapel Hill if you plan to work in the region after graduation. Both have strong macro social work programs. Avoid UNC-Charlotte because it only offers a clinical curriculum.

Citychild, have you considered Boston University's macro social work program? I am not sure where else you are planning to apply but if you want to live in the Boston area you should also research BU's program. On the West Coast, you should check out UCLA, UC-Berkeley and Arizona State.

Sam0, briefinterviews wonderfully explained the opportunities available with a macro-focused MSW. You can study management, community organizing and policy practice. I also agree that the big-name state programs (Michigan and Berkeley) tend to offer both a strong curriculum and field placement options for macro social work students. Smaller universities may only offer clinical programs. As a Michigan resident, I am able to take advantage of in-state tuition. You should research your regional universities for macro social work programs. I was (and still am) in my mid-twenties when I entered graduate school. The MSW is a great generalist degree that will prepare you for many career paths with children and youth, health care, the elderly, homelessness, educational settings, and communities. Currently, I am finishing my second master's degree (Higher Education) at the University of MIchigan. Like you, I also wanted to study systematic / structural inequalities within (higher) education. I focused my assignments around diversity topics, and did my field placement at a social justice education program. However, I discovered that if I wanted a well-rounded background in educational issues, I needed to take coursework (cognates) in other professional programs (education, public policy, law, etc.). I enjoyed my cognates so much that I decided to pursue the master's degree in higher education after I completed my MSW. When people ask what do I study, I consider myself a licensed macro social worker who focuses on diversity issues (administration and policy) in higher education.

I earned a MSW (University of Michigan) focusing on macro practice. Many schools offer macro social work concentrations where you can tailor your coursework to fit your academic and professional needs. What type of population do you want to work with? What type of work setting do you prefer? If you know that you want to become a macro social worker, choose field placements that will allow you to gain skills in management, community development and policy practice. Most states do not require licensure for macro social workers (Michigan is the exception). I know that macro social work is a small but growing field, but there are plenty of jobs out there for us. You just have to market yourself well.

I would definitely add Michigan to your list of schools. Michigan has a very strong alumni network in the Washington DC and West Coast areas. While it's doctoral program is ranked #1, the program offers master's concentrations in public policy, academic and student affairs, development, business, and diversity. It doesn't offer assistantships, but students are required to pursue an internship throughout the duration of the program. Since you two are still in college, I strongly recommend that you apply to programs that require internships/practicums for incoming students. You will need the post-BA work experience to be competitive in the job market.

sevyn731, I find it hard to believe that you cannot afford graduate school because you have $4,000 in credit card debt. Have you been making payments? Are you delinquent on your credit cards? Is your credit score low? Graduate students have the option to pursue GradPLUS and unbsudizied Stafford loans. I have my share of student loan/credit card debt, but I have never been deemed ineligible for student loans.

ZeChocMoose, what would you say is the average age of students entering doctoral programs in higher education? Early 30s?

Most graduate admissions programs will require at least three recommendations (2 academic, 1 professional). I'm sure you will be able to find a third person (whether professor or supervisor) to write on your behalf. Sit down with them, explain your future plans, and tell them your accomplishments. It would be best to use someone who has known you for at least three months.

I will also provide another perspective. I'm entering a higher education program (this would be my second master's degree). Try to find a school that provides opportunities in various sub-fields across higher education. If you honestly know you're not interested in residential housing, then don't pursue an internship/assistantship in housing. My post-career interest area is admissions, and I was able to successfully secure a placement in graduate admissions for this upcoming fall. When I finish the degree, I can better strategically apply for jobs in admissions and academic advising.

I have cable television even though I don't watch much TV. I do follow a few shows (no HBO though). I keep the service because I was able to lock my rate at <$45.00/month. In that case, it's totally worth it.

Dizzi, if you have the chance, how would the new Harvard Education PhD program fit those who want to study higher education? They would have to choose a discipline (sociology, psychology, economics) first before specializing in a specific age/student population?

Social work graduates are not restricted to doctoral programs in social work/social welfare; many enroll in education, psychology, theology, and sociology. You will still need to earn an MA (en route to PhD) in the social science field of your choice. If your statement of purpose shows a strong and coherent connection between your social work background and the social science field, then you have a good shot.

The first thing you should decide is where do you want to live during graduate school. That will narrow down your choice of programs. Look for specific student affairs/college student personnel programs. Avoid general higher education programs since they will offer a generalist curriculum in academic affairs, students affairs, public policy and organizational development.

I use Microsoft's SkyDrive to store all my files. So far, I love it. It's like using your Windows Desktop in a cloud. You don't need a Hotmail/Live account.

citychild, it also depends on how long you have been in the workforce. The one-page resume template is for recent graduates. If you have over four yeas of work experience beyond a bachelor's degree, it is acceptable to have a two-page resume.

This sounds horrible. We need to know what does the contract state about your employment and wages before we can make solid suggestions.

There are plenty of agencies that serve high-needs populations and use MSW interns in the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area. I'm sure you will be able to find a field placement that is close to public transit. Washtenaw County has a decent bus system unlike the rest of Michigan.