Getting into School for LCSW

[ZoeBlueNYC]

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Hi All. I'm looking for some advice and comments about my ability to get into a Master's Program for Social Work to become a LCSW.

I few years ago I decided to pursue psychology and have hit some bumps along the way, I attended Columbia's Post Bac program but had to leave after one semester to due lack of funding, since then I attended school online for a psych masers which was disastrous and applied and was rejected by the New School for Social Research for their master's program in general psych.

At this point, due to the competitive programs in psych programs, I was thinking about going for my Social Work master's with a focus in Clinical and Forensic Social Work.

I was looking at Columbia's Masters program as it offers a minor in law as well as NYU's program.

I am 30 years old with no previous work in the social work field.

So far my credentials are

Undergrad Degree (Music Major) - 3.2 gpa
Post Bac credits (Psych and Statistics) 3.5
Online Graduate Degree Credits (Psych Major) - 3.7

I have not taken the GRE, and would rather not take it, but will if necessary

Do I have a chance at getting into these programs? Or any?

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

 

[BlackSkirtTetra]

LCSW is a license, not a degree.

You have to earn your MSW and work for 2-3 years in an appropriate environment (under the supervision of another LCSW*) in order to get your LCSW licensure.

Some MSW programs require the GRE, and some don't. It's my impression that even for those which don't, taking it and succeeding on it will go in your favor. If you don't do well, you don't have to submit your scores to the program you're applying to. 🙂 My current program didn't require the GRE, but I took it and did very well (and sent the scores to them) and I got accepted to some of the best programs in the country.

Do you have any experience in social service? How old are you? My program favors people with prior experience in social services, and people in their late 20s or older, because they want people who have lived more than new college graduates who are 21 or 22 years old. But some programs value this less or more and it's not really stated on the website that, "You need to be this old!" It's something that you learn by talking to people in the department and on the admission's committee. One of my friends was actually refused from a program because he "lacked the life experience necessary." He was 23, and they encouraged him to apply again in a few years.

*I've heard that in a couple states you can work for your LCSW license under the supervision of a LPC or PhD, but I don't know how true that is. It's one of those things I hear from time to time, but nobody ever presents evidence one way or the other.

 

[ZoeBlueNYC]

BlackSkirtTetra, thanks for your response, I have edited my original posting for more clarity. It response to your questions, I am 30 years old and I do not have any social work experience.

 

[socwrkr]

In California, you can earn part of your LCSW hours under an LMFT, LPPC, clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist. However, 1700 of the 3200 hours required towards licensure must be accumulated under an LCSW. Also, parts of the individual/group supervision hours must be under an LCSW. You can check your individual state's requirements online. See below for California.

http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/lcs/lcrespon.pdf

 

[BlackSkirtTetra]

I got an email directing me here, which let me know that it's similar in Connecticut: http://www.naswct.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=106

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Q: Must all of my 3000 hours be under LCSW supervision?
A: Not necessarily. MSW’s practicing clinical social work while working toward their LCSW must be practicing under “professional supervision” which can be any professional who is supervising the practice. In other words until you receive your LCSW you must be under professional supervision in order to be legally practicing clinical social work in Connecticut, but only a 100 hours of direct supervision must be provided by a LCSW..

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif].

🙂

 

[ZoeBlueNYC]

Thank you for your responses on getting licensed as a LCSW, however, what I'd really like to know are everyone's opinions on my chances of getting into a social work masters program?

 

[wigflip]

Hi Zoe,

I think you'll be fine with stats like that. You may not get into a top program (though you might--not sure how competitive those NY schools are), but you should be able to get in somewhere if you are willing to settle.

I don't intend to sound unkind here, but you might consider having someone proofread your personal statement and help you edit it for flow and clarity. I found your original post a bit unclear. You might also consider concealing the online degree program as well. Yes, it's probably (technically) unethical, but it might help you, as online graduate work isn't generally well regarded anyway and it's highly unlikely any of those units will transfer.

Good luck,
wigflip