When deciding to earn an MSW or Master of Social Work, there are many factors to consider. These include how you want to earn your degree (online or in-person), whether the program is accredited, how it ranks with national organizations, and whether the program offers scholarships, financial aid, or other support for low-income and working students.
There are many benefits to obtaining an MSW, but the most important is that it provides students with an advanced level of the training and skills necessary to become a competent and highly qualified social worker. Some are interested in this field because of the ability to make a difference in people’s lives. Others may be interested based on its security as a growing profession with many career opportunities. Whatever your rationale, the best way to earn an MSW is to make a few key informed decisions about the type of program that best suits your life and career goals, and the best way to make those decisions is to explore the basics of each of these elements:
Program length: How Long is an MSW Program
A Master of Social Work is a graduate level degree that enables professionals to further a career in social work. It provides advanced coursework and hands-on training in the field as well as relevant practical experience. The length of an MSW program will vary, especially considering a your ability or preference to pursue your degree full time or part time.
Full-time: If you have your sights set on a full-time program, you can expect to complete your degree in three years. You will likely have the option to complete an internship during the summer between your first and second year, which would make this a slightly longer process.
Some programs offer an accelerated MSW program that can be completed in one year instead of three. (You may also see terms like “advanced standing” and “bridge” used to describe these types of accelerated programs.) Typically, these programs are designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in social work. Accelerated degrees often require more hours per semester than standard programs, which may mean for some an inability to continue working while completing your degree depending on the individual credit hour requirements versus commitment to work hours.
Part-time: Many schools will allow you to study part-time, which is ideal if you’re working full-time, part-time, or need more flexibility in course scheduling due to family obligations. Part-time MSW programs can take between four to five years on average to complete while others can range from shorter spans such as three to four years.
With programs conveniently offering evening and weekend courses for MSW students, you will have a range of options that can be customized to fit your lifestyle and schedule, which will in turn also increase your chances of completing your MSW degree and pursuing a career in social work.
Specializations
Social work is a rewarding, multifaceted career that often involves problem solving through difficult situations experienced by individuals and families. You are primarily working with individuals at the most vulnerable and challenging times of their lives. Deciding on an area of specialization will help you become more equipped to understand and navigate these challenges. Depending on the area of specialization you choose, you’re likely to have the opportunity to work in settings such as hospitals, community centers, schools, or government agencies. The benefit of earning an MSW is that your career path is not limited to clinical work. In fact, many policy affiliated and higher education based social workers choose these areas of specialization because they feel the need to work at a macro level is equally as important as working with individuals and families in crisis.
Your specialization can also include advocating for change related to poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, and other societal problems, or position you for administrative and managerial positions once you’ve graduated. As an administrator you can have more of a leadership and supervisory role and can earn titles such as Program Manager, Program Coordinator, and Community Engagement Manager / Director.
Accreditation
The best way to earn an MSW is through an accredited university program. When you’re ready to begin looking for a program, make sure they are accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency like CSWE (Council on Social Work Education). Accreditation is important for several reasons. First, it means that the school and program have been reviewed and confirmed as meeting rigorous standards (standards which are agreed upon by both the academic community and employers). Second, if you are already a licensed social worker in one state and want to practice in another, having the right accredited degree can make it much easier to transfer your license without spending more time getting additional schooling or training. It’s important to consider the fact that many schools do not accept transfer credits from another institution unless it has proper accreditation. You want to make sure you understand how the transfer process works before enrolling in an MSW program.
Online vs In-Person Learning
Because there are so many different programs from which to choose, you can easily become overwhelmed when exploring your options. Online MSW programs may allow you a more customized and tailored approach to obtaining your degree. This is your opportunity to decide whether you’re looking to earn your degree in an on-campus setting, or if online offerings include everything you need and provide the adaptability that suits your lifestyle.
There are many different types of MSW programs, but whether online or a campus setting, all MSW programs provide students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of social work theory and practice. If you live in a geographic area where an accredited program is not offered or if it is outside your budget, it may be possible for you to complete your MSW online. Some students prefer in-person instruction while others are more comfortable learning online on a personalized schedule.
Online MSW programs are available in various formats including full time (two year), part time (four year), and advanced standing. Full-time and part-time programs require graduate level credit hours that can either be completed as a pre-requisite or while enrolled in the MSW program.
Most online courses offer the same course material as on-campus schools but allow you more accommodating settings to suit your own schedule. With an online program you can complete your courses from anywhere, allowing you simultaneous focus on other priorities such as family or job placement while earning the degree you need to excel in your career.
In addition, online programs allow you to work at your own pace, giving you more freedom when completing assignments and studying for exams. The compromise in this approach to education is that they don’t always provide enough face-to-face interaction with professors or other students, which can make it difficult to engage with others in your cohort. Online programs may also require more reading than in-person programs, which is an important consideration when choosing a program that fits your learning style.
Application Process Tips
Choosing an accredited MSW program is a major decision. You want to make sure you are getting an education that equips you with the full curriculum and training needed to tackle the mounting challenges encountered within our society and our world. There are many important sub-factors to consider when applying for a MSW program such as the school’s reputation, graduation ratio, employment rates, and tuition costs. Once you have narrowed down your options, it is important to evaluate each school’s academic factors and decide which one best fits your needs.
When applying, make sure you read through the college application criteria thoroughly. You want to ensure that you have met the GPA requirements and that your undergraduate coursework has adequately prepared you to apply.
Here are a few items you need to complete your MSW program application:
- A Resume
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- A Statement of Purpose*
- GRE Scores**
(* A short essay as to why you want to pursue your MSW at your selected school specifically.)
(** May be optional depending on the program.)
A resume is an important part of your application because it helps you organize your professional experiences and represents your eligibility and relevant experience to build upon once you are admitted in the program.
Your three letters of recommendation should come from people who know you academically and/or professionally and not just personally. These may be academic faculty members, work supervisors, or other individuals with whom you’ve worked closely on projects (e.g., volunteer supervisors and extracurricular program leaders) who are able to speak knowledgeably about your strengths and how they relate to your potential success as a graduate student in social work.
Your statement of purpose is a personal essay where you reflect on why you want to pursue an MSW, what inspires or motivates you in social work, what prior experiences have led you to this decision, and what qualities, professionally and personally, make you suited for a career in social work and the specialization you have chosen. This statement should be a compelling expression of your hopes for the future and should convey how pursuing an MSW will help in that endeavor.
Program Research Tips
Depending on your schedule and priorities, you have several options when it comes to earning your Master of Social Work. It is critical that you have a strong sense of why you’re pursuing a degree in Social Work before deciding on a program. After this, you want to ensure that the program you choose aligns with your values and interest. When selecting a master’s program in social work, below are some additional considerations:
- Choose a program based on your needs and learning preferences.
- Consider your long-term career goals and current life circumstances, especially keeping in mind any which could hinder you from attending class, completing assignments, or participating in group activities related to your coursework.
- Select an accredited program with a recognized reputation.
- Decide if an online or in person social work program is best for you based on your learning style and availability of resources to complete your MSW.
Pursue Your MSW Degree
Making the commitment to pursue an MSW requires time and commitment. There are plenty of factors to consider while tailoring your education to meet your professional as well as personal goals. Whether you want to work in education, clinical practice, research, or administration, you have a variety of options to consider and a range of factors to inform and confirm your choice. The key is to make the most out of your MSW experience by calculating the best fit for you. It’s a career that makes a profound social impact and is as rewarding professionally as it is personally. Get started today pursuing your MSW Degree.
About the Contributor:
Manicka Thomas, LISW-S is a Social Work Trainer, Entrepreneur and YouTuber. She creates educational videos for Social Workers and Helping Professionals that deepen their level of self-awareness while boosting their competence and confidence in the profession. For more from Manicka, you can subscribe to her YouTube channel.
