Anonymous
07/20/2025 22:09
Subject: MSW
Anonymous wrote:I did the MSW program online through VCU and graduated last summer. I had no problem getting multiple private practice job offers in the DC area. I was also offered jobs in more "traditional" social work, but as a career changer with kids to support, that was just not a path I could take given the pay. Private practice is also underpaid as a supervisee (you'll give around 50% of your earnings to the practice) but it's a path toward decent earnings over time. My independent LCSW colleagues in this area charge $200-$250/hour.
I'm glad I didn't spend more than I had to for the degree. No one seems to care where you go to school, just avoid the for-profit programs. I had great professors at VCU, many of whom also taught for other schools like USC, which cost about 3x as much as VCU.
Mason isn't as rigorous a program as VCU -- I interned with several GMU students who were surprised at the VCU workload -- but again, no one really cares and all of us easily found jobs. GMU is good if you want in-person.
+1. As a Virginia resident, I also did the VCU online MSW program with zero regrets. Learned plenty, had very good connections and relationships with my professors and classmates, good field placement experiences, and a quality job offer coming out of the program.
It was also rigorous — in fact, one professor who taught both in person and online was involved in designing both curricula. She said the online program was more rigorous and those students were better prepared because there was so much writing — it was impossible to hide in the back of a classroom to avoid participating. If you choose that program, be prepared to write. A lot.
Anonymous
07/20/2025 20:13
Subject: MSW
PP: thanks to everybody for the help
Anonymous
07/20/2025 13:02
Subject: MSW
I did the MSW program online through VCU and graduated last summer. I had no problem getting multiple private practice job offers in the DC area. I was also offered jobs in more "traditional" social work, but as a career changer with kids to support, that was just not a path I could take given the pay. Private practice is also underpaid as a supervisee (you'll give around 50% of your earnings to the practice) but it's a path toward decent earnings over time. My independent LCSW colleagues in this area charge $200-$250/hour.
I'm glad I didn't spend more than I had to for the degree. No one seems to care where you go to school, just avoid the for-profit programs. I had great professors at VCU, many of whom also taught for other schools like USC, which cost about 3x as much as VCU.
Mason isn't as rigorous a program as VCU -- I interned with several GMU students who were surprised at the VCU workload -- but again, no one really cares and all of us easily found jobs. GMU is good if you want in-person.
I'm glad I didn't spend more than I had to for the degree. No one seems to care where you go to school, just avoid the for-profit programs. I had great professors at VCU, many of whom also taught for other schools like USC, which cost about 3x as much as VCU.
Mason isn't as rigorous a program as VCU -- I interned with several GMU students who were surprised at the VCU workload -- but again, no one really cares and all of us easily found jobs. GMU is good if you want in-person.
Anonymous
07/20/2025 11:09
Subject: MSW
For those of us who are local, are the programs at UMD, George Mason, and Catholic well respected? (I know that Catholic is more expensive, but it also gives scholarships.)
Anonymous
07/20/2025 00:40
Subject: MSW
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So my two cents....you don't need a name-brand school like Columbia, Boston University, or Boston College. However, I would personally steer away from online schools particularly for profit ones. In my experience, the academics and field placements don't compare favorably. I think state colleges/universities offering MSW are good choices...less expensive but often very well regarded. Mostly social work is local...areas hire from the local schools and so maybe ask around and find out what schools are well regarded. Definitely check out how they operate the placements. Do they match you or do you need to find your own? What do they require of placement supervisors (eg 2 years post grade (don't do it) or licensure, etc). Placements are critical to your education so you want someplace that puts effort into that for their students.
There are some big state universities with great MSW programs, like Michigan, Berkeley, and UNC. In fact, Michigan regularly beats out Chicago and Columbia for the top ranking.
+1 on Michigan. Great program with good financial support and great placement record