No social work options for the big three

[indigoshuffle]

I have a buddy who is looking for a truncated path to a bachelors in social work. So far, no dice. I’m starting to think it might be better to do a psychology degree and then apply for graduate school where he can complete his masters degree in social work and obtain his license for clinical social work (lcsw); he’s interested in practicing talk therapies/psychotherapy....any ideas would be appreciated.

[sanantone]

I have a buddy who is looking for a truncated path to a bachelors in social work. So far, no dice. I’m starting to think it might be better to do a psychology degree and then apply for graduate school where he can complete his masters degree in social work and obtain his license for clinical social work (lcsw); he’s interested in practicing talk therapies/psychotherapy....any ideas would be appreciated.

Some states license baccalaureate-level social workers. There are too many regulatory parts for this to be a degree offered by the Big 3. 

If he completes a CSWE-accredited BSW, he can get advanced standing in an MSW program. That usually shaves off a year; MSW programs are long.

https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Direc...-Education

[dfrecore]

I think you have 2 options: get an inexpensive BA degree in something at one of the Big 3, saving all your time/money for a MSW; or get a BSW, with the option of transferring to a MSW with a year shaved off.

[Ideas]

BA in Psychology should be pretty fast, or BALS with concentration in Psychology.

BSW seems like it would take much more work, therefore it's slower. But one reason people go for the BSW first is so they can get a job in the field, so while they're working on the MSW, they are gaining experience and making contacts. They are also more likely to get tuition help?

[sanantone]

There are also five-year, BSW/MSW programs. I don't know if any are online. But, one advantage of getting the BSW to shorten the MSW is that tuition is cheaper at the undergraduate level.

MSW programs are typically 60 credit hours and take three years to complete. USC has an advanced standing MSW program that is only 37 credits and takes 12 months to complete. There are online degree completion BSW programs for which you have to come in with the first two years of credits. They may be flexible in accepting CLEP/DSST. Briar Cliff has such a program, and they accept up to 90 transfer credits. They'll automatically give you 62 credits for having an AAS.

Get credit for what you already know, and finish your degree faster.
As a degree completion student, you can save time and money by building up college credits toward your degree — all before you ever take your first course at Briar Cliff! Here's how:

Transfer previous college coursework.
At Briar Cliff, we accept up to 90 credits from previous colleges and universities. Students transferring in an A.A.S. degree are credited with 62 credit hours towards the completion of their bachelor's degree at BCU. To start the transcript review process, contact an advisor.

Test out of specific subjects.
Take specialized exams through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and get credit for the material you already know. Subject exams are similar to those given at the end of a college course.

https://www.briarcliff.edu/online-social...scription/

[davewill]

BA in Psychology should be pretty fast, or BALS with concentration in Psychology.

BSW seems like it would take much more work, therefore it's slower. But one reason people go for the BSW first is so they can get a job in the field, so while they're working on the MSW, they are gaining experience and making contacts. They are also more likely to get tuition help?

Stipends are quite common in MSW programs, provided you are willing to work in child welfare or institutional mental health for a period of time. My son is planning to start an MSW program next year. He currently has his BS in Psych and is working at a residential mental health facility as a rehabilitation specialist. The job is not for everyone, as their high turnover rate shows, but he seems to have the right temperament for it.