Stony Brook MSW Program?

[Jwall]

Hi all,

I have not seen anybody talk about having applied to Stony Brook's program! I am wondering if anybody has any thoughts/information about the program, or if anybody else applied/was considering attending. I was accepted to Columbia and am waiting to hear back from Hunter after the group interview last week, and I (finally) heard back from Stony Brook last Friday. I am from Long Island so a lot of this decision is figuring out commuting as well as flexibility of work and school. 

I heard that Stony Brook used to be much more policy based but has recently revamped their program, potentially to include more options for gaining clinical experience. Obviously this is still new though and Stony Brook is not ranked nearly as high as some of the other schools in the area, but I'm wondering if for the price, flexibility with a full-time job, and the shorter commute (in my case) it might be a good option.

Anybody's thoughts and insights are very appreciated!!   Thanks!

[Dansir]

I went to Stony Brook University for Undergraduate, I had several issues with the school itself not my major program (I did women, gender & sexuality studies) that made me not want to go back their. Although my friend who is doing the MSW now seems to enjoy it.

Their program is a bit odd, they have a campus in manhattan but require students to take courses on both campuses. If you live in Long Island it would be more accessible. But compared to SUNY Albany and SUNY Buffalo the program is not as well ranked.

I believe Stony Brook does a 4 day a week program. I was a bit perplexed to find out that all the SUNY schools do a 4 day program as opposed to a 5 day program (Hunter and Columbia) do both. So having a job may be more feasible if you go to Stony Brook. (Around 900 field hours versus 1200 field hours for Hunter, Columbia, Fordham, NYU)

I wanted to go to a social work school in a urban environment and felt that being placed for field on Long Island would be challenging and risky without a car (I commuted to Stony Brook from NYC via train my last two years going their). 

The social work program is also on the east campus which houses the hospital. So opportunities for clinical areas may be more easier their. although parking is a nightmare their and not sure if you would be able to park on east campus!

Congrats on the interview to Hunter! I wasn't offered a interview at Hunter and I have had the difficult decision between choosing Columbia or going upstate for school (Buffalo or Albany). I applied to both NYU and Fordham but did not want to go to either as the real competition is between Hunter and Columbia. If I am unsatisfied with Columbia my first year I may transfer to Hunter if i get in.

If you go to Hunter I would say go with that program as its supposed to be the best one in the city! But commuting plus having a job may be difficult. advisors told me that having a full time job isn't recommended as usually its 2-3 days of field placement practice and two days of classes. I was advised to work on the weekends and my days off. But only if its part time. 

Maybe feel out the program first and then commit to more hours? That may help!

Correction: If you are on the Manhattan Campus for Stony Brook you have to trek out to the main campus in Long Island to still take courses out their. But if your in Long Island you can take all the courses out their

This threat talks about Stony Brook's program but this may be outdated.

https://www.indeed.com/forum/job/social-worker/MSW-programs-NY-area/t35293

[Jwall]

Thanks so much for all the info you shared!! And congratulations on your acceptances as well! I've heard Columbia is an amazing program, and if it weren't for the cost it would probably be a much bigger contender for me as well. I just went to an info session a couple weeks ago and was so impressed. Do you know what method you'll be doing? 

I think if I do go with Hunter I'll have to stop working full-time unfortunately, but I guess the pro of that is I would be able to devote more time to the program. I'd probably try to supplement with something part-time but I've also heard Hunter is pretty demanding.