USC's MSW program

[sandystarrz]

Hello everyone,

I am a new member; just joined a few minutes ago. I've been reading many of the forum entries the past months and it's been helpful during the application process. I graduated last Spring with a B.A in Psychology and decided to take a year off to figure my life out.

I found counseling interesting so I applied to MFT programs and last minute to a MSW program. This entire time during the application process, I was never 100% sure that this was what I wanted to do. I'm the kind of person who needs to have a plan and need to know I can follow through with it. And sadly, I can't say that I completely can with these programs.

Either way, the more I researched the more I realized I would have more options with a MSW so I turned down all the interviews for the MFT programs. That may have been a stupid move, but here I am now, waiting to hear from this one MSW program. I grew up in California and my parents are here who need my financial help so I wanted to stay here. I applied to 4 Cal States for the MFT programs and to USC's MSW program.

I just heard yesterday that I got into USC! I really didn't think I'd get in seeing as how competitive it is (I think). This entire time I thought I would just take another year off to figure things out and re-apply or apply to other programs, while helping my parents out for another year before my brother can graduate from undergrad and start helping out as I go back to school in another year or so.

I've heard great things about their MSW program. The only problem is that hefty price tag of theirs. And knowing that people don't go into social work for the money, it just makes me wonder if a MSW at a private school like USC is worth it, especially with my already existing undergrad loans and financial responsibilities at home. I've noticed the burnt out rate for social workers is very high; overworked and underpaid seems to be the common problem. It would be nice to know that this investment would be worth it when I graduate, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I am really torn. 😕 I have about 3 weeks to let USC know and send in my deposit. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Anyone graduated with a MSW started to work and realize it's not for them or it's not worth it?? Did anyone go to USC for the MSW program? If so how do you like it?

Many thanks for reading...

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[michalita]

Have you explored applying to UCLA? Their instate tuition (er, tuition = 0, so I mean fees) is fairly reasonable (esp compared to USC!) and there may be some financial aid options, too. Can you defer at USC for a year and apply to UCLA? (Their deadline is Dec 15 so you'd know soon enough). Anyway, just a thought. I too am concerned about finances and chose to go to the state program in my area (on assistantship) instead of an out-of-state or private school. Graduate school -- especially the hefty loans -- is not a simple decision and I urge you to take the time you need to make an effective plan. Good luck!

 

[WannaBeDrMe]

Hi, first, congrats on your acceptance... as confusing as it is right now, still, congrats. That's something to celebrate (regardless of your final decision).

Now, I am a graduated MSW and I have had to face the harsh reality of life on a social worker's salary and I have some mixed news for you.

1. my first job out of grad school paid exceptionally well, 100% paid benefits, work laptop, work cell phone, mileage reimbursement, I got to do therapy and case management, etc, etc, etc.

2. by the end of my 9 months at that agency, I averaged about 60 hrs a week with my ending weeks being about 75-80 hrs, easy, working at home every night and most mornings before work and definitely on the commute to/from work

3. I'm so confused right now, definitely burnt out, ended up half-quitting/half-fired (I suppose, no one ever said, but it would be their right to do so) my last job b/c I just couldn't handle it anymore, it was 100 times better than first job with a positive work environment BUT it was 60 hrs a week with $12000 less pay, no benefits, I had to pay for my own cell phone, no laptop, and no mileage... and no therapy, all case management


So, that's just my experience. That is not to say you will have the same... and other people have had a great experience. I have some friends graduating this year who are still very hopeful with great prospects. Part of my my poor luck is that I live in a state where the mental health system is in turmoil and it's yanking everyone's careers with it.

I will say this, the world was promised to us with this MSW degree... the words "flexible" and "in demand" were tossed around. I can honestly say that not a single grad from my cohort experienced that end result. The job market here is quite limited... and I'd say at least half of us had 2-3 jobs within the first year and I was the only person doing private practice therapy right away.

The pay where I am is NOT enough to get my bills paid under current mental health reform. I had an assistanceship for my program but also commuted 3 hrs a day to my internship and took loans for those travel expenses. My bills are more than my salary... well, especially now that my salary is $0. 🙂 ha

However, this could have happened with any job... markets suck for a lot of people right now. I don't regret my MSW. I don't regret my professional paid experience. I don't regret any steps toward my license. I don't regret anything. I think it helped me develop an area of interest. I think it helped me figure out what I don't want to do for the rest of my life and brought me that much closer to knowing what I could do for the rest of my life...

Ok, this is long, I'm typing off political frustrations! MSNBC gets me riled up. Good luck with your decision...

OH, there is loan forgiveness for social workers... not a lot, but some. There are federal loan cancellation programs in both the National Public Health Officers Corps (I think that's what it's called) and the NIH (National Institutes of Health). Also, there is another Fed program that could be local to your state... don't remember what it's called but for every year you work in low income, t risk areas, the more money is cancelled on Perkins Loans. also, some local Department of Social Services agencies, through your state, likely offer programs where they agree to handle your tuition in trade for you working in their agency for 3-5 years. Special loans too, for healthcare students, through your state... will cancel...

Be well, good luck!

edit: re: monies... I am still only provisionally licensed so this isn't really reflective of a fully licensed, independently practicing licensed clinical social worker, I can only bill for like 3 individual codes and groups and have to have supervision so that limits me in where I can go money-wise

 

[sandystarrz]

When I had decided to apply for my MSW, all deadlines had passed except for USC's. But I will look into UCLA's program; it definitely beats the cost of a private school. This probably means another year to go before starting grad school.
Thanks for the info, Michalita.

 

[sandystarrz]

Hi, first, congrats on your acceptance... as confusing as it is right now, still, congrats. That's something to celebrate (regardless of your final decision).

Now, I am a graduated MSW and I have had to face the harsh reality of life on a social worker's salary and I have some mixed news for you.

1. my first job out of grad school paid exceptionally well, 100% paid benefits, work laptop, work cell phone, mileage reimbursement, I got to do therapy and case management, etc, etc, etc.

2. by the end of my 9 months at that agency, I averaged about 60 hrs a week with my ending weeks being about 75-80 hrs, easy, working at home every night and most mornings before work and definitely on the commute to/from work

3. I'm so confused right now, definitely burnt out, ended up half-quitting/half-fired (I suppose, no one ever said, but it would be their right to do so) my last job b/c I just couldn't handle it anymore, it was 100 times better than first job with a positive work environment BUT it was 60 hrs a week with $12000 less pay, no benefits, I had to pay for my own cell phone, no laptop, and no mileage... and no therapy, all case management


So, that's just my experience. That is not to say you will have the same... and other people have had a great experience. I have some friends graduating this year who are still very hopeful with great prospects. Part of my my poor luck is that I live in a state where the mental health system is in turmoil and it's yanking everyone's careers with it.

What state are you in, if you don't mind me asking?

I will say this, the world was promised to us with this MSW degree... the words "flexible" and "in demand" were tossed around. I can honestly say that not a single grad from my cohort experienced that end result. The job market here is quite limited... and I'd say at least half of us had 2-3 jobs within the first year and I was the only person doing private practice therapy right away.

The pay where I am is NOT enough to get my bills paid under current mental health reform. I had an assistanceship for my program but also commuted 3 hrs a day to my internship and took loans for those travel expenses. My bills are more than my salary... well, especially now that my salary is $0. 🙂 ha

However, this could have happened with any job... markets suck for a lot of people right now. I don't regret my MSW. I don't regret my professional paid experience. I don't regret any steps toward my license. I don't regret anything. I think it helped me develop an area of interest. I think it helped me figure out what I don't want to do for the rest of my life and brought me that much closer to knowing what I could do for the rest of my life...

Ok, this is long, I'm typing off political frustrations! MSNBC gets me riled up. Good luck with your decision...

OH, there is loan forgiveness for social workers... not a lot, but some. There are federal loan cancellation programs in both the National Public Health Officers Corps (I think that's what it's called) and the NIH (National Institutes of Health). Also, there is another Fed program that could be local to your state... don't remember what it's called but for every year you work in low income, t risk areas, the more money is cancelled on Perkins Loans. also, some local Department of Social Services agencies, through your state, likely offer programs where they agree to handle your tuition in trade for you working in their agency for 3-5 years. Special loans too, for healthcare students, through your state... will cancel...

Be well, good luck!

edit: re: monies... I am still only provisionally licensed so this isn't really reflective of a fully licensed, independently practicing licensed clinical social worker, I can only bill for like 3 individual codes and groups and have to have supervision so that limits me in where I can go money-wise

Thanks for all your input. It all seems a little bleak, but it's nice to know you don't regret any of it as difficult as things are after the schooling is over. That gives me hope! You would think it'd be easy to find work in this field seeing how much help is needed.

I'm leaning towards deferring USC for now but my mind may change when I get my financial aid package.

Good luck with everything!

 

[michalita]

When I had decided to apply for my MSW, all deadlines had passed except for USC's. But I will look into UCLA's program; it definitely beats the cost of a private school. This probably means another year to go before starting grad school.
Thanks for the info, Michalita.

You're very welcome! Good luck with your choice and your future career! 🙂

 

[WannaBeDrMe]

Talk to Pinquoin (I think that's how she spells it) too... She is the opposite of me... she seems to have had a very fulfilling and successful social work career and can provide a good balance to my burnt-out ness. I'd hate for my opinion to overload the argument. It's a worst case scenario and I doubt it's representative of social workers across the nation.

If I could relocate, I'd have a much easier time with things, I'm just stuck in a geographic region that isn't comfy with their own rules and regulations right now!

Good luck with your finaid!

Thanks for all your input. It all seems a little bleak, but it's nice to know you don't regret any of it as difficult as things are after the schooling is over. That gives me hope! You would think it'd be easy to find work in this field seeing how much help is needed.

I'm leaning towards deferring USC for now but my mind may change when I get my financial aid package.

Good luck with everything!

 

[kucing11]

Hey sandystarrz,
I was just wondering what decision you finally came to. I am in a similar situation. I am in the process of getting my apps in to CSULA and USC, both MSW programs. I know there are a lot of networking and research opportunities at USC, but 70K!!! Not sure I can commit to that. I have some time to decide, but was really hoping for some anecdotal input.