Major career change, cosmetology to MSW/LMSW

[studyingfortests]

There is always an option to search in-state institutions first for any online programs that may be affordable, then venture outwards to possible programs that are in the next state that may provide border counties or border states in-state pricing if the classes are going to be exclusively online anyways.  I would do some research into the programs available and also have a couple or three backup options in case your top choices don't get back to you with a favorable admission.

The problem I ran into in researching online MSWs at state institutions that many of them are run by for-profit Online Program Managers like 2U. And so the tuition for these online programs, though at state institutions, is often ridicuously high. Case in point: Several of the California State universities that have both classroom and online programs have enormous price disparity, like ~8,000/year classroom and ~25,000 year online ... because the OPM takes a 50 to 60% cut.

So one has to look very closely at costs with these online progams. I, personslly, avoided OPM-run programs due to high cost.

Also, *all* MSW programs will require in-person practicums. There are increasingly rare exceptions, but in general, CSWE ( the accreditor) is discouraging the online practicums that were common during COVID-19. And I personally would be a little nervous about attending an MSW program with a 'Christian worldview' because that worldview, depending on how they interpret it, could be directly in conflict with some of the values of diversity and nondiscrimination that are fundamental to the social work profession. I have heard complaints in this regard about Liberty's MSW, and the SEU program seems to proclaim this front-ant-center. Definitely something I would want to have a clear discussion on with the school leadership.