2 Year vs 3 Year Programs? Working while getting MSW? Give me your thoughts.

[socialworkette]

Hi All

 

I'm new here to the forums!

 

A little bit about me: I'm 22 and graduated May 2014 from a upstate NY liberal arts college with a BA in Psychology and 27 credits in Social Work (school didn't have a minor option for SW…but I still took tons of classes in the department) During college I worked 10 hrs a week at a job on campus, participated on a D1 athletic team and did a yearlong internship senior year with a organization working with homeless male and female veterans residing in the organization's transitional housing. Also worked closely with the elderly and the developmentally disabled populations during semester long courses that had field work components during my time at school. 3.4 GPA. I was super lucky to graduate with zero debt - my parents have always valued and promoted education and saved considerable $$ for all my siblings' educations.

 

Since May 2014 I've been working full time at a large nonprofit organization serving veterans. I specifically work as a case manager with homeless/at-risk for homelessness veterans and their families helping them address factors that are preventing them from acquiring/maintaining housing (unemployment, substance abuse, medical problems, mental health problems, etc.), connecting them with resources and working with them to get them into housing or maintaining their housing. 

 

My plan has always been to get my MSW or Masters in Counseling Psych (right now leaning more towards MSW though) but I knew I wanted to take at least a little time after graduating from undergrad to get more work experience and earn money, which is what I'm doing now. I've never had a hard-and-fast timeline though. I've been having a good time working with a really diverse range of clients and learning A LOT. But I also really want to start doing my MSW soon - weirdly, I'm itching to be in school again.

 

So here's my dilemma I'm trying to figure out. Obviously this is future-speak, but I want to hear people's opinions.

 

Do I continue working at my job (pays pretty well considering it's my first job out of college and is in the nonprofit sector, full benefits, some tuition reimbursement after 1 year employment *amount is $2,000 per year, so that's like two courses worth per year of school*, full employer 403b match after 4 years) and do a 3/4-year part-time MSW program while working? Obviously, that means really having to balance work and school and not really being able to commit 100% to either endeavor and maybe missing out on alternative field placement options because a lot of the part time programs I've seen usually use your employing agency as the field work site. But I would still be gaining experience in the field for 3-4 years, pulling in 40k/year while pursuing the MSW, get in on that tuition reimbursement, and graduate about when my employer would be 100% vested in my 403b contribution through their match program. After getting a MSW I would want to pursue other avenues/jobs/etc. instead of the entry level position I hold now, naturally, whether it's at this current organization or another.

 

Or do I quit the job to do a 18 month accelerated/2 year full time MSW program to get it done faster and also be able to fully engage in the program and do field placements that are NOT what I do now (because I also want to continue to get more experience outside of veterans, homeless individuals, the elderly, and the developmentally disabled) Plus be able to have more geographic flexibility in which school/program I choose and be able to devote my attention to school.

 

Again, I'm super fortunate that I still have a sizeable amount of funds left in my education fund to pay for grad school, so while I'm definitely looking at the finances part, I'm less worried about the cost of attendance. Also - I'm only looking at "in-person" programs…I just can't see myself doing an online program AT ALL. Just a personal preference.

 

Obviously this is all still in planning stages and I'm working with speculation right now…but I'd like to hear from people who worked while doing their MSW or anyone for that matter who have opinions on either side….

Edited September 29, 2014 by socialworkette

[nugget]

Both the 2 and 3 year programs seem like good options. Your decision will depend on where your priorities lie. If you studied part time, would you be alright with doing a placement at your current job or do you seek a wider variety of professional experience? There are some advantages to diversifying your resume or gaining experience in a different area you'd like to pursue after graduation. On the other hand, if you study part time you can save some of your education fund for another investment in the future, like a new car or a down payment on a home one day.

 

As a fulltime student, you will have more opportunities to meet and get to know your classmates who will be part of your network after you graduate. As a part time student, you will wear the hat of employee and student part of the time and not be fully immersed in either role. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Some people thrive on variety and like having two different roles. Not to mention, you may have more time to thoughtfully ponder the course readings if you study part time, as the work load is quite heavy if you study full time.

 

No one can really tell you what the right decision will be. Only you have that answer. But if you aren't sure by the time deadlines start to approach, apply to both full time and part time programs to give yourself more time to figure it out.

Edited September 29, 2014 by jenste