good MSW programs in Boston or California?

[Happy04]

I think I have decided to go for my MSW (instead of a masters in counseling psych), so now I am trying to figure out which schools would be best for me.. and I'd love some help! I would ideally like a program with more of a clinical/counseling perspective, as I'm thinking of becoming a college counselor, or perhaps opening my own practice one day.

Any ideas on good MSW programs that aren't too too expensive in either the Boston, LA, or San Diego area? I really want to get the most for my money, but at the same time I want to make sure that it's a reputable program that's right for me. So far, I'm interested in schools like Boston University, Boston College, Simmons College, San Diego State, and UCLA, but I'm having trouble finding consistent information on tuition, etc.

Any help at all or thoughts about this are extremely appreciated!

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[AryaStark]

I went to Simmons College undergrad and my best friend is going for her MSW at Simmons in the fall. It is supposed to be a very good program, the campus is wonderful, and everything is very new. If you have any questions please feel free to PM me or post here. Also, something cool with BC is they have a joint Law and MSW program. You have to apply for both but it's a neat opportunity.

I think I have decided to go for my MSW (instead of a masters in counseling psych), so now I am trying to figure out which schools would be best for me.. and I'd love some help! I would ideally like a program with more of a clinical/counseling perspective, as I'm thinking of becoming a college counselor, or perhaps opening my own practice one day.

Any ideas on good MSW programs that aren't too too expensive in either the Boston, LA, or San Diego area? I really want to get the most for my money, but at the same time I want to make sure that it's a reputable program that's right for me. So far, I'm interested in schools like Boston University, Boston College, Simmons College, San Diego State, and UCLA, but I'm having trouble finding consistent information on tuition, etc.

Any help at all or thoughts about this are extremely appreciated!

 

[Happy04]

Thanks so much! That is really helpful to know, and I will definitely look into the program at Simmons.

 

[Arbitrary]

I'm going to start at Boston University this fall. I was accepted to BU, BC and Simmons. BU ended up being the most affordable for me (even more so after they threw some money my way).

I know BC is thought of as a great program, but I have a few colleagues that went through that program and were not satisfied with it at all. It's also an incredibly white school. I know the website and pamphlet has pictures/blurbs of all sorts of "non-white" people, but don't drink the kool-aid.

I don't think you can go wrong w/either Simmons or BU. One of the main differences between the two are that Simmons has required practicum 3 days a week both years, while BU has 2 days a week your first year and 3 days your second year. Overall I was incredibly impressed by the faculty at BU and their work on OCD (a population I currently work with).

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[thepsychgeek]

BU, BC, and Simmons, like the above posters have noted, are fantastic schools. BU has better financial aid, as far as I can remember.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

You may want to check out the National Association of Social Work's website, as they are the largest org for SW. I'm not sure how accreditation goes for SW, but it is important to make sure you are looking at schools that have the right accreditation.

There have been some threads about programs in both locales, so a search may turn up some good information.

 

[pingouin]

All of the above schools have CSWE accreditation. 👍

 

[xenobart]

Here's the run-down on the LA schools.

In the LA area, UCLA, USC, and Cal State Long Beach are all excellent choices. CSU Long Beach is the smallest school with the lowest tuition (you can get residency after 1 year), part-time and full-time options, and it also has the smallest class. It has fewer concentration options than the other two, though, and it has a great rep in California but isn't as known outside the state.

UCLA and USC are both very well regarded and known everywhere, and both have a broad range of concentration options. UCLA's program is less expensive than USC (if we're talking in-state tuition, at least) and is more of a medium-sized MSW program (about 100 students per class, I believe). UCLA is very research oriented. While you can certainly concentrate in micro / clinical work you will need to complete a research project and take more research and policy than most other programs. It also only has a full-time program.

USC has an excellent clinical concentrations in several areas and, like CSU Long Beach, has options for full and part-time study. I've known a couple people who've gone to USC who really loved it. The biggest downside is that the program is very expensive and also is enormous (over 300 students per class). Finally the school is in one of the scarier parts of LA.