Which Clinical SW program is strongest (BC, BU or Simmons - applying to all 3)?

[Arbitrary]

I'm applying to Simmons at the end of this week, and then both Boston College and Boston University at the end of this month. My focus is going to be in Clinical SW. I originally intended to attend UMASS Boston's Mental Health Counseling program, but decided not to due to the increased flexibility and opportunities w/LICSW in New England.

After looking at the US News rankings I see that BC is 14, BC is 22 and Simmons is 36. I know the US News report is limited and doesn't differentiate between Macro and Clinical. At the BC info sessions they really pushed their macro program, BU pushed their clinical program and I haven't spoken to Simmons yet (but they seem HUGE on diversity and cultures). I like that the dean of the BU program developed/researched extensively into CBT and treating OCD (I work in an acute residential OCD unit now) and that they offer five electives. Simmons has 24hrs/wk both years for internship (vs. 16hrs/wk first year at both BC and BU) and offers six electives. I am not terribly interested in macro at all, but realize that I will have to navigate the system w/clinical sw.

Does anyone know, between these three schools (BC, BU and Simmons), which has the stronger clinical program and/or which program is better thought of in the real world after graduating?


Thanks!

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[pingouin]

I don't know any of these schools, but I will tell you this:

• The USNWR rankings mean pretty much squat. Some of the best MSWs I've seen have come out of lower- or non-ranked schools, and in turn some of the worst I've seen have come from a top-ranked school. Rankings are largely based on research dollars, not clinical preparedness.
• Your best learning will take place in the field, and it's likely that all three schools share some of the same practicum sites.
• All programs have the same core curriculum.
• Balance money vs personal happiness. Go to the least expensive school that you like the most. In retrospect, I wish someone would have told me that. I might have made some different decisions.
• You can tell a lot about a school by how they're treating you as an applicant. If one is usually pleasant, and the other makes it sound like a hassle to check your status, there's a fair chance this is what it will be like as a student as well.

Oh and one more thing... honest to God, no one who will be in a position to hire you will care one bit about which school you attended, just that you have the appropriate credentials and clinical experience for the job. In ten years, I was asked exactly ONE time about where I got my degree, and that was mostly because the person hiring me was from that city and wanted to reminisce.

 

[michalita]

Does anyone know, between these three schools (BC, BU and Simmons), which has the stronger clinical program and/or which program is better thought of in the real world after graduating?

Of those three schools, BC is most likely to give you $$, but you should be willing to do a graduate assistantship. Simmons doesn't give graduate assistantships and BU is notoriously bad at giving aid.

The least expensive school in the area is Salem State College, which has an advanced generalist perspective (which means equally clinical and macro, though you can take your electives in clinical). That basically means you'll have a few more classes on policy, plus a class on administration, than the other schools. There is a requirement to have policy and macro practice at most of the schools, at least an intro. (BC students take classes on social welfare, policy, and introduction to macro practice). As you are looking to become a social worker (and not an investment banker, for instance), I would urge you to consider the least expensive option in the state.

I just want to reiterate that you're going to learn the most in your field placement AND that you will learn a ton about clinical work after you graduate in the 2 years it'll take to get the independent licensure. You are required to take 20 CEUs within your first two years, plus 3,500 hours of supervised work.

There are interns from BC, BU, Simmons, and Salem State at my placement, if that gives you any idea of the competitiveness of the schools. I've also worked with BU and Salem State graduates at my previous placement. I had a few professors (adjuncts) who went to BC.

SSC does not have a high ranking as an undergraduate institition but that means squat when it comes to graduate school. It is a tough program, not for the faint-of-heart.

In short, we all have to take the same exam (ASWB), so we'll all be taught basically the same thing. 😀

EDIT: Of course, the Salem State College deadline was today, so perhaps the point is moot. Of the three schools you're curious about, I would choose BC, then Simmons, then BU. Or whoever gives you the most money. 🙂

 

[Arbitrary]

Well I just received an acceptance letter from Simmons. I'm still waiting to here back from BU and BC. Simmons is my 2nd choice and BU is my first, but I'll also weigh the two against how much money each is willing to give me.

I didn't really consider Salem State due to the commute from Boston and sharing a car between my wife and myself. My question about which program is strongest stems from initially wanting the LMHC program at umassBoston. But after realizing how much stronger the clinical SW degree is here in Boston regarding job opportunity, I decided to go for an MSW program. I really want nothing to do w/macro SW at all, which is why I was asking about clinical program strength.