olayak

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.

For which program?

Hi, Has anyone applied to any DSW (doctor of Social Work) programs this year? Did you have an interview? Did you get your admissions results yet? Why did you pick the DSW instead of the PhD? Thanks

I just had an interview and she was so hard on me, I was so nervous I did not give good answers. I have the blues, too. I'm already expecting that rejection letter. It's a shame because I usually interview so well.

HI, I just had an interview yesterday, for my number one choice school. I was so nervous I think it went badly. I know some people send a follow up email thanking the interviewer. Should I do this? Is it ok to restate my reason why I want to attend this program? (That's one of the questions that I messed up.) Also, I told her I had three main interests (pediatric mental health, grief/loss, human-animal bond). Should I say that I am primarily interested in one of them? Thanks

Quick question, what criteria is the U Penn DSW admission committee looking for? I called them and they didn't give a straight answer. I was told that grades and publications and stats don't matter, it just depends on the individual. What does this mean? What are they looking for? Has anyone been accepted to this program? What stats do you have? Thanks!

I'm a psychiatric social worker at a large hospital and I also started a non profit. I also have taught university classes in the past and I'm planning to return to that. Eventually I'll also open a private practice. But I'm also considering an administrative position at my hospital instead. The benefits at the hospital are unbelievable, the best I've ever had. I would work there for the benefits alone Feel free to ask any questions! I got my MSW at NYU but I also have my BA and a MSED and another MA from Hunter so I know both schools well and I have friends who graduate from the Columbia program. To be very honest to all, Hunter's program is the best out of the three. I loved NYU but I wish I had gone to Hunter instead.

Ok thanks! I contacted the program and they were equally vague. Lol! I guess I'll apply and see what happens!

I'm a social worker and it's sad but many people have the completely wrong idea. I bet if you said "I want to be a psychotherapist" they would think it was a great idea. Guess what, they are the same! A social worker IS a psychotherapist and many go into private practice. It is what you make of it, and where you live, but I know social workers making over $200,000 or more. Some write books, some teach classes, some have private therapy practices, etc. Suze Ormond, the financial guru, is a social worker. Graham Stedman, Oprah's boyfriend, is a social worker. When she won an Oscar, Hillary Swank forgot to thank her husband and instead thanked her therapist. Her therapist is a social worker. She makes a lot of money working only work celebrities. It's also an extremely versitile career with many social workers going on to be administrators, directors and officers of agencies, like hospitals. I'm sure if you told your parents that you want to be CEO of a hospital, they wouldn't mind. Part of Social Work studies focuses on administration and policy, so many social workers do that. Or go on to start non profits or become lobbyist or politicians in DC. Many become professors or write books. If you told your parents that you wanted to be a politician, a famous author, or a college professor, would they feel the same way? You could also someday start your own mental health CLINIC, where other therapists work for you. Sure, many people work low paying jobs in social work, but that's because they like working for that particular agency in that job. Some of us want to get down in the dirt and really help raise people up from the most basic level. But it doesn't mean that those are the only jobs. It's a VERY versatile field, and you are only limited by what you choose to do with it. I'm a social worker, make good money with great benefits and I absolutely LOVE my job. As someone recently told me, it is unlikely to see the CEO of a hospital with a PhD but it is common to see one with a MSW.

I'm a social worker and it's sad but your parents have the completely wrong idea. I bet if you said "I want to be a psychotherapist" they would think it was a great idea. Guess what, they are the same! A social worker IS a psychotherapist and many go into private practice. It is what you make of it, and where you live, but I know social workers making over $200,000 or more. Some write books, some teach classes, some have private therapy practices, etc. Suze Ormond, the financial guru, is a social worker. Graham Stedman, Oprah's boyfriend, is a social worker. When she won an Oscar, Hillary Swank forgot to thank her husband and instead thanked her therapist. Her therapist is a social worker. She makes a lot of money working only work celebrities. It's also an extremely before career with many social workers going on to be administrators, directors and officers of agencies, like hospitals. I'm sure if you told your parents that you want to be CEO of a hospital, they wouldn't mind. Part of Social Work studies focuses on administration and policy, so many social workers do that. Or go on to start non profits or become lobbyist or politicians in DC. Many become professors or write books. If you told your parents that you wanted to be a politician, a famous author, or a college professor, would they feel the same way? You could also someday start your own mental health CLINIC, where other therapists work for you. Sure, many people work low paying jobs in social work, but that's because they like working for that particular agency in that job. Some of us want to get down in the dirt and really help raise people up from the most basic level. But it doesn't mean that those are the only jobs. It's a VERY versatile field, and you are only limited by what you choose to do with it. I'm a social worker, make good money with great benefits and I absolutely LOVE my job.

You start your MSW in January? Then you are still a long way off from a PhD. Unlike in other fields, a MSW is a terminal degree and so is REQUIRED before you apply to doctoral programs. And most PhDs in Social Work or Social Welfare require you to have AT LEAST TWO YEARS of work experience AFTER you finish your masters. So you already have over four years before you can even apply. By then you may not even be interested in a PhD. Social Work is one of the few fields where you can do A LOT with your masters. You can still do research. You can still teach as an adjunct. You may also want to consider a DSW instead of a PhD. For many DSW programs they don't require the GRE but use the MAT (Miller Analogies Test) instead. Check out the other programs. But in the meantime you have AT LEAST FOUR very busy years before you can even apply. So, I suggest focusing on the moment, on your current work. You'll get to the PhD eventually. But right now focus on the NOW. Because you never know what might change in the future.

Hi, Just wondering what the admission criteria are for U Penn admission into the DSW program. What's the average GPA that they take? I know we need at least two years working post masters and we don't need the GRE. So I was wondering what GPA they look for and if they are expecting anything else like previous publications or a research background. Thanks!

All the Psych programs at CUNY take only 2-3 people each year. The exception is the clinical programs, which take a couple more.

Has anyone heard from the CUNY Graduate Center's Congition Language and Development program?

Do you think that it is easier to get into a counseling psychology phd progam than a clinical psych program?