Cheaper or faster... which MSW program would you choose?

[belledureve]

I  applied to two MSW programs. One is a 16 month MSW program that costs around 55k and is out of state. The other program is a 3 year MSW program for around 36k. I am 30 and I need to get my MSW ASAP and hope to pursue a LCSW license as well so time is a factor. I also don't want to have a huge debt looming over my head.... so I am torn. Thoughts? Btw, I got accepted to the 16 month program that costs 55k and an interview at the 3 year MSW program that costs 36k. My interview is in 5 days... and I have no idea when they'll reach an admission decision. I have to make a deposit to commit to the 16 month program by April 1.

[TLC]

You've posted this elsewhere, yes? I'd go with the 16 month program. You will be in the field sooner. Is it 16 consecutive months?

[hyronomus4]

I had this same thought process and chose the more expensive, shorter option.  Basically my thinking was to get done fast so I could start working and pay it off faster.  Because my program was so short and full I wasn't able to work much while in school and ended up taking out a pretty fat loan.  Also, I got a job I love but I'm making about 10-15k per year less than what I anticipated so I'm not paying nearly as much on my loans as I had hoped.  I loved my MSW experience but I think I could have been better off financially if I had done the longer program at a slower pace and worked more while I was in school. 

[pippapants]

I wouldn't let your age be more of a factor than an extra $20,000 in student loans. An extra year and change is worth the time investment to save yourself the headache of student loan debt and an out-of-state move.

 

Also, LCSWs don't grow on trees, so I wouldn't count on having it in two years and leveraging that to pay off more in student loans. I've seen social workers get in way, way too deep with student loans and be unable to find a decent paying job when they get out. Then they can't afford supervision to attain their LCSW. The people who are most successful at getting an LCSW are the lucky ones who score jobs that come with in-house, free supervision, but those jobs are few and far between around here. In some areas, finding someone to do your supervision can be a barrier. It's definitely not as easy as most MSW students think it is.