School Psychologist considering DSW program at USC

[Dominic_1]

Hello, 

I am a current graduate student working on my Ed.S. degree in School Psychology. I am considering applying to USC’s DSW program. As a school psychologist I will be working with children and youth. I would also like to work with adults and provide mental health services but as a school psychologist I am limited. Therefore, I feel that a DSW would be a good fit.

Has anyone here applied to the DSW program at USC or considering? I am considering this program because of its flexibility (online), 2 year to complete, and no MSW needed. 

Also, are there any school psychologist who have provided mental health services for adults outside of school? 

[PsyDuck90]

I don't know anything about the specific program, but fyi, a DSW isn't a license-eligible degree. Unless you're able to get an MSW along the way or can practice using your Ed.S, the DSW probably won't get you to your goal. 

[Dr.EJM]

On 5/4/2020 at 6:33 AM, Dominic_1 said:

Hello, 

I am a current graduate student working on my Ed.S. degree in School Psychology. I am considering applying to USC’s DSW program. As a school psychologist I will be working with children and youth. I would also like to work with adults and provide mental health services but as a school psychologist I am limited. Therefore, I feel that a DSW would be a good fit.

Has anyone here applied to the DSW program at USC or considering? I am considering this program because of its flexibility (online), 2 year to complete, and no MSW needed. 

Also, are there any school psychologist who have provided mental health services for adults outside of school? 

I'm not a school psych but I am a current USC DSW student. The program is flexible but still eats up quite a lot of time, they say to dedicate 10 hours + per week along with 3 major assignments per class and you have the option of taking 2 or 3 classes per semester. Also of note, USC is effectively a social work focused doctorate in executive leadership, nothing really clinical about it, you are expected to have your clinical skills when you enter. If your Ed.S in school psych already lets you hold a practice outside of a school setting you may want to look at other universities DSW programs for advanced clinical skills like NYU and UPenn (I'm sure there are many more but those are the two others I know well enough to talk about). Hope this helped.

[Dr.EJM]

On 5/4/2020 at 9:12 AM, PsyDuck90 said:

I don't know anything about the specific program, but fyi, a DSW isn't a license-eligible degree. Unless you're able to get an MSW along the way or can practice using your Ed.S, the DSW probably won't get you to your goal. 

very good point, I don't know of any DSW programs that grant an MSW along the way. All that I have looked at have the MSW or equivalent as an admissions requirement. I can say for sure that USC does not (or NYU or UPenn).