Questions about USC MSW Program

[HuggyBear]

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Hello all,

I'm looking for a little bit of career couseling. I am a active duty military person stationed in CA who plans on retiring in 4 years after 24 years of service. I am currently 6 classes from finishing my BA in Psychology from American Military University (AMU). I would like to continue my studies at the University of Southern California (USC) in pursuit of a MSW with a concentration on services for military personnel.

I have searched high and low for a good program that would meet my goals and have to admitt that USC's program appears to meet all of my expectations and more. My major concern would be the selection process. Do you think I would still have a fair shot at acceptance even though I am still on active duty? I know it is a very demanding program which is what I prefer. I have achieved my goals in the military by rising to the rank of E-9 and would like to now concentrate on setting myself up for a new career after retirement. The program that I do apply for and hopefully get accepted to has to be offered online in order for me to complete due to my military service. I was looking at the Sonoma State and California State-Long Beach partnership program but the next time they will be accepting students will be in 2013.

I'm kinda lost because I know what I want to do after the military but am at a lost on how to get the ball rolling. I have been a counselor for numerous years in the military and really enjoy what I do. Now I would like to find a way to apply those same ethics and service outside of my uniform. I think I would be a asset working in a VA Hospital due to my experience and my combat experience. What are your thoughts on this subject? Do you think I have a good shot at getting accepted at USC? Have you seen any other active duty members get accepted to USCs MSW program?

I look forward to hearing your opinions and advice. Thank you in advance.

Striving for a new career...🙂

 

[2012PhD]

Hello all,

I'm looking for a little bit of career couseling. I am a active duty military person stationed in CA who plans on retiring in 4 years after 24 years of service. I am currently 6 classes from finishing my BA in Psychology from American Military University (AMU). I would like to continue my studies at the University of Southern California (USC) in pursuit of a MSW with a concentration on services for military personnel.

I have searched high and low for a good program that would meet my goals and have to admitt that USC's program appears to meet all of my expectations and more. My major concern would be the selection process. Do you think I would still have a fair shot at acceptance even though I am still on active duty? I know it is a very demanding program which is what I prefer. I have achieved my goals in the military by rising to the rank of E-9 and would like to now concentrate on setting myself up for a new career after retirement. The program that I do apply for and hopefully get accepted to has to be offered online in order for me to complete due to my military service. I was looking at the Sonoma State and California State-Long Beach partnership program but the next time they will be accepting students will be in 2013.

I'm kinda lost because I know what I want to do after the military but am at a lost on how to get the ball rolling. I have been a counselor for numerous years in the military and really enjoy what I do. Now I would like to find a way to apply those same ethics and service outside of my uniform. I think I would be a asset working in a VA Hospital due to my experience and my combat experience. What are your thoughts on this subject? Do you think I have a good shot at getting accepted at USC? Have you seen any other active duty members get accepted to USCs MSW program?

I look forward to hearing your opinions and advice. Thank you in advance.

Striving for a new career...🙂

I think the MSW will be a good fit for you. It is a versatile career and only takes about 2 years of full-time study and you can do counseling with it. In California, USC, Berkeley, UCLA all have good MSW programs. There are probably others that I haven't heard of. Your best bet is to apply to multiple schools to increase your chances of getting in, USC isn't the only strong one. I think the fact that you served for so many years in the military will help your application stand out and will make you look very unique for MSW programs. Make sure you look at MSW programs that have a clinical focus as opposed to ones that focus on administration and policy (e.g. look for courses in therapy and counseling). UCLA and berkeley are state schools so they will be cheaper for you.

I currently work at the VA in the psychology division and there is a preference to hire veterans. Most of the social workrs and other MH counselors have never served in the military so i think your experience would be highly valued there. Your best bet is to research more MSW programs that have a clinical focus and apply to several programs (at least 4) to ensure success.

 

[HuggyBear]

Hello 2012PhD,

Thank you for the response. I just transferred to CA and have been running different scenerios through my mind on how to reach my goal. I know I shouldn't place all of my eggs in one basket but have to admit that USC has come across as the program that would best suit me and my goals. I will take your advice and keep a open mind as I search other alternative programs to apply to. I agree that a clinical approach is more suited for me because of my interaction on a daily basis with junior military members and assist them with their various issues. I realize that I can't solve all of their problems but just to listen to them is half the battle which allows me to providea new line of thinking or direction that they may need to explore for resolution. My ultimate goal is to work for the VA because I know that is a feild that is currently short of qualified counselors and people who knows how it feels to be in a combat environment where they have lost a member of their unit. I really do apperciate your words because it gives me something to hit the ground running with.

If you don't mind me asking... what path did you choose for your career? Are you satisfied with your choices? What would you say was the most diffcult thing you encountered during your progression to your current position? Any words of wisdom that you may be able to pass on is deeply apperciated. Thank you again for taking time to help me out by providing advice on my future.😀

 

[2012PhD]

Hello 2012PhD,

Thank you for the response. I just transferred to CA and have been running different scenerios through my mind on how to reach my goal. I know I shouldn't place all of my eggs in one basket but have to admit that USC has come across as the program that would best suit me and my goals. I will take your advice and keep a open mind as I search other alternative programs to apply to. I agree that a clinical approach is more suited for me because of my interaction on a daily basis with junior military members and assist them with their various issues. I realize that I can't solve all of their problems but just to listen to them is half the battle which allows me to providea new line of thinking or direction that they may need to explore for resolution. My ultimate goal is to work for the VA because I know that is a feild that is currently short of qualified counselors and people who knows how it feels to be in a combat environment where they have lost a member of their unit. I really do apperciate your words because it gives me something to hit the ground running with.

If you don't mind me asking... what path did you choose for your career? Are you satisfied with your choices? What would you say was the most diffcult thing you encountered during your progression to your current position? Any words of wisdom that you may be able to pass on is deeply apperciated. Thank you again for taking time to help me out by providing advice on my future.😀

Hi Huggy Bear:

I chose the PhD route in clinical psychology. The training is different than with social workers in that we also get extensive training in research and psychological testing (e.g. neuropsychological evaluations) in addition to therapy. Psychologists at the VA tend to do more psychological testing, research, and less case management compared to social workers. Social workers are certainly hired at the VA to do general counseling and therapy, and also to assist with housing and other resources. I think having military experience would be a huge asset in this role. The PhD takes 6 years and the MSW is a two year degree, plus licensure requirement. I don't know if you are male, but the field is 90% female so i think if that would also help you in terms of getting your foot in the door.

The best advice i can give you is to pick an MSW with a good clinical focus and one that has VA placements for fieldwork. You will likely do one to two years of fieldwork while you are in the program so you want to make sure that you can get this fieldwork done at a local VA so you can network for a job afterwards.