BS in Psych, then MSW? Silly?

[frenchymmd]

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I already know (well, I think I know, haha) that after I finish my undergrad, I will get my BSW. My school does have a PhD in psych but at this point it is not accredited and a 5 year commitment is a lot considering I'd like to start helping my husband with the bills as soon as I can.

I know that I want to focus mainly on the clinical aspect of SW and for that reason, I thought I would get my BS in psych. I'm just wondering if its silly to doing this, all the while knowing my Masters will be in Social Work. Also, if I get my BSW, it only takes 3 semesters to get my MSW, instead of 5.

Are the benefits from a BS in psych worth another year?

 

[frenchymmd]

woops, i meant for this to go in the other psychology forum.

can one of the mods move it for me?
thanks and sorry!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

No problemo!

-t

 

[frenchymmd]

Thanks T4C

 

[zird00]

Not sure if I completely understand the post but I will give it a shot. If you are already a BSW major, and considering switching to a Psych major and then continuing on to a MSW... DONT! The MSW is shorter if you have a BSW and most MSWs give you plenty of clinical skills. The undergrad psych degree is a foundational degree and is NOT (I repeat not) intended for clinical use. If you chose to get your MSW and desire further clinical training, there are a plethora of advanced level practice degrees to choose from (DSW, EdD in Counseling, PsyD...and on and on). Also note: a PhD (in any field - including Psych) is generally research oriented. There are some clinical programs that offer the PhD but the heavy clinical programs in psych offer a PsyD. Just as in social work the clinical programs offer a DSW and research programs offer a PhD.

 

[frenchymmd]

Not sure if I completely understand the post but I will give it a shot. If you are already a BSW major, and considering switching to a Psych major and then continuing on to a MSW... DONT!

Thanks zird. I think you understood the post pretty well.
I am not yet at BSW major. At this point I'm technically Biology and was debating either switching to psych or SW.

It is true what you said about Psych being foundational degree and not giving you clinical skills. Thanks for pointing that out 🙂

 

[pingouin]

Agreed about the reminder that neither the BA/Psych nor the BSSW are clinical degrees..

Couple of things..

Look at both programs and see what the practicum/internship requirements are. When I was a BSSW student a loooooooong time ago, we had to do a required 600+ hours over 2 semesters as seniors. Separate credit was given for mandatory Integrative Practice Semintar courses each semester (to discuss how coursework was implemented in field work). Our psych major compadres had an optional 90 hour internship which they could do over 1 semester. I felt we came out a lot further ahead as far as marketability of degree, experience, etc.

Also a reminder that if you do the BSSW and want to go through the Advanced Standing route (which I did), you are not required to go to the same school for the MSW. And you don't have to go immediately after graduation- most schools will grant AS status up to about 5 years after BSSW graduation. Commonly, the requirements are within 5 years, accredited program, grades of B or above in the SW classes. I did my BSSW in the Midwest, moved to NYC to volunteer with a social service agency for a year, then stayed and did AS in NYC. (Which, btw, was only 2 semesters. ) There were plenty of other AS students who had taken time off.

So if the OP would want to work for a while before accumulating more debt... it should be feasible.

 

[frenchymmd]

Agreed about the reminder that neither the BA/Psych nor the BSSW are clinical degrees..

Couple of things..

Look at both programs and see what the practicum/internship requirements are. When I was a BSSW student a loooooooong time ago, we had to do a required 600+ hours over 2 semesters as seniors. Separate credit was given for mandatory Integrative Practice Semintar courses each semester (to discuss how coursework was implemented in field work). Our psych major compadres had an optional 90 hour internship which they could do over 1 semester. I felt we came out a lot further ahead as far as marketability of degree, experience, etc.

Also a reminder that if you do the BSSW and want to go through the Advanced Standing route (which I did), you are not required to go to the same school for the MSW. And you don't have to go immediately after graduation- most schools will grant AS status up to about 5 years after BSSW graduation. Commonly, the requirements are within 5 years, accredited program, grades of B or above in the SW classes. I did my BSSW in the Midwest, moved to NYC to volunteer with a social service agency for a year, then stayed and did AS in NYC. (Which, btw, was only 2 semesters. ) There were plenty of other AS students who had taken time off.

So if the OP would want to work for a while before accumulating more debt... it should be feasible.

Thats interesting (and true) what you point out regarding internship requirements. From what I can tell, our SW program requires 500+internship hours all in the last semester. (36 hours a week) There may be more required in other semesters, but I can't seem to find the other course requirements online. The BS in Psych only has something like 45 research hours required. 😕
I'm glad you've pointed this out because it's much more obvious to me which I would prefer.
Oh, and the 3 semesters I was referring to actually includes a summer in which you only take 6 credit hours.

It's nice to know that I could take time off between the BSSW and the AS program, but since my school is practially free (gotta love lottery scholarships) I'd rather get it over with.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Lollipop Fun]

It all depends on what you want to do and if taking time off due to family and financial reasons, then you should take that into consideration.

Having considered both I would recommend you go into BSW because it does give you more exposure which is key in this field. However, if you feel you want to have more of a psychology background, do not let the number of hours limit you. It is absolutely up to you to get more experience. You can volunteer at your community AIDS outreach center, geriatrics hospital, pediactrics hospice programs, women;s shelters- never let numbers limit you.

I defintely learned a lot doing volunteering at various community centers.