Ugh! I am trying to decide which school to go to since my number one has yet to tell me if I am accepted or not. I could go to Pepperdine for their MFT program or USC for their MSW program.
While I like the ranking of USC, the MSW degree and the potential USC connections, I don't like the $80,000 approx. price tag. I am not getting any financial aid and there are no available assistantships. Additionally, I would like to take the clinical route and pursue licensure as an LCSW, which requires 3200 hours post degree.
I like the clinical focus of the Pepperdine program, the much less expensive $45,000 price tag and that my externship hours will count toward the 3000 hours for licensure. I am concerned that it is not as well-respected of a program and I have heard that MFTs are rarely paid for their clinical training hours.
So, what would you do? My end goal is to provide therapy and gain additional certification to act as a mediator.
Help!