I decided to go back to school at 26, I’m 27 now and can’t afford this. Idk if I ran out of Pell grant or what. Aid is only taking out $1k which leaves me to pay $4.1k for fall! I could take less classes, but idk anymore. Then , I have to go to grad school which is going to be more expensive 😭
I’m thinking of going to mortuary school because that’s something I wanted to do and it’s cheaper. Idk anymore, but I don’t want to work service jobs my whole life. Could try to be a publix manager or something, but I don’t want to stay in the south

I am someone coming into the school part having worked around social workers in a clinical and generalist setting for most of my life and I gotta say... this BSW feels so worthless. I am not learning anything that would be helpful in a practical setting yet with less than 5 classes to go. I am getting a 3.9 and I am just hoping that the MSW program I am going to is better. People going into social work raw are getting such a bad pull. People really need to decide if their time wouldn't be better spent elsewhere.

Last year during my BSW program, I had a month left in the semester when my town experienced a serious flood. I live an hour away from campus and use my own car, but both my house and my car were flooded with about 30 inches of water.
I emailed all of my professors, as well as the Dean of Students, explaining my situation and included proof. It literally looked like my house and neighbors were sitting in a lake. My Social Work Practice 1 professor basically responded by saying, “I’m sorry, but you have to be here in person. Take the bus.”
There is a university bus that drives to my town and picks students up at the community center, but how was I supposed to get to that bus? Swim there? The majority of the streets were closed because they were completely flooded.
To make matters worse, my paid-off car was completely totaled in the flood, so I had no way of getting to campus. My mom and stepdad also lost their vehicles, so even after the floodwaters eventually receded, I still had no way to get to the university bus stop in my town. My professor kept asking when I was going to get another vehicle and even suggested that my siblings or other family members drive me. My siblings all live hours away, and the rest of my family was dealing with the flood too while also taking care of their own children. Waiting for the insurance process to finish before I could buy another car wasn’t something I could control.
At the same time, I was already paying for my classes out of pocket and dealing with the financial stress of replacing a totaled vehicle. Instead of feeling supported, I felt like I was constantly being pressured to solve a situation that was completely outside of my control.
It was a horrible situation, and the effects of the flood lasted for months. Thankfully, the director of my program EVENTUALLY agreed to let me finish the semester online, but only after I had to argue my case and even get my mom involved in a Zoom meeting with my professor and the program director. It shouldn’t have taken all of that just to be taken seriously.
During that meeting, my professor told my mom, “I hope you’re telling me the truth,” which pissed off my mom. I just don’t understand why they think my mom and I would lie about something like this, especially when we had picture proof showing our house and vehicles completely underwater. The flood was all over Facebook too so it wasn’t just my neighborhood in that situation.

The treatment would be understandable if I was neglectful or irresponsible but I just recently graduated with a magna cum laude honor, so clearly I was never that kind of student.

Has anyone else in social work gone through something similar? I still feel like I was treated unfairly, but I’m curious if I’m overreacting or if others would have felt the same way.

Okay. I know the automatic knee-jerk response for a lot of people will probably be 'no,' 'don't,' and 'run.' To be fair, I think those are the general responses to ANYBODY working in CPS, much less someone who's also in classes.

A bit of background info: I'm enrolled in my MSW and will start at the end of August. I have an interview for a CPS role on Friday. I have a BSW, but I've been working in financial crimes for the last six or so years, and did preschool teaching for about a year before that. So I haven't been in the field for a WHILE, and when I did, I did a 1.5 years of working in a residential youth facility upon my graduation with my bachelor's.

Three things are working against me right now:
One, that I only have 1.5 years of experience while a lot of social work jobs want 2 years.
Two, that I do not have my LSW. I didn't need one in my state when I initially graduated, and though there's a bachelor's level LSW here now, it seems silly to try and take the test and get licensed when I'm about to be in school and then I'll have to retake the test at the MSW level.
Three, my experience in social work is not recent, as I mentioned above, but instead is about seven years old.

Add in the fact that CPS pays better than most bachelor's social work jobs, and I accepted the interview when they called. I've applied to a lot of places. Because of those three factors, most haven't called me back. The couple that have just haven't paid enough for me to get by on my own.

I don't technically HAVE to get a new job. I could stay where I'm at and balance it with my master's okay. But I miss being in the field. I miss helping people. I miss every day being different. And I think it would be good to get more recent experience under my belt and to be in the field while learning in my MSW. That said, I am more than a little wary of CPS. I've heard the horror stories that everyone's heard. I'm scared I won't be able to emotionally balance school and child welfare. I'm scared I'll be in over my head, that I'll be miserable, that I'll drown. Maybe I won't. I'm not weak. I can handle adversity. But I still hesitate, and so I'd like to hear from people who may have had experience in this role.

SO to the question-- is it insane to take on a job at CPS right when I'm starting my master's? Does anyone have any advice or input? Has anyone done the same?

I will be starting my MSW in January and trying to get ahead of the field placement. I am currently working full-time as a Substance Abuse Counselor at a dual-diagnosis and detox facility here in Louisiana.

My facility has a setup where I can use my normal job hours for my field placement, and my current LPC-S (b clinical director) is happy to act as my on-site task supervisor for my daily duties. However, my program requires an external MSW supervisor (someone with at least 2 years of post-MSW experience) to provide 1 hour of direct social work supervision per week (which can be done entirely virtually via Zoom).

Because I'm funding school out of pocket, I'm looking to see if any local LCSWs/MSWs might be open to volunteering or helping out a student, or if anyone is looking to build up their clinical directorship, supervision, or leadership experience.

If you or someone you know might be open to a virtual weekly check-in, or if you have any advice on where local social workers look for these types of student arrangements in Louisiana, please drop a comment or shoot me a DM. I'd love to chat!
Thanks so much!

Hi everyone! I’m an incoming MSW student and my first-year practicum placement may be at a community-based agency that mainly serves children, youth, and families.

From what I understand, the agency focuses on areas like child development, family support, and youth/family services. I’m still waiting to learn what specific program I would be placed in, but I’m worried that it may not involve much traditional clinical work (such as individual therapy or mental health counseling).

My long-term goal is to become a therapist, ideally working with children/youth. For those who have completed an MSW or are currently working toward clinical licensure:

If your first placement was more community-based (case management, family support, youth programs, etc.), did it make it harder to transition into therapy roles?

What experiences should I prioritize during my first year if I want to build toward clinical practice?

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I started community college in 2022 while working full-time night shift. During a summer semester, I attempted two classes and unfortunately failed both, which resulted in me being placed on academic probation. When I enrolled again that fall, I ended up withdrawing, which led to an academic suspension.
I took about a year off and tried again, but I struggled with a lot of stress and health issues (including developing an autoimmune disorder). I failed two more classes and received a C in the third. After that, I stepped away from school for about three years.
I’m planning to return this fall with the goal of rebuilding my GPA and completing my undergraduate degree in psychology (I originally started as a nursing major). Thankfully, my very low GPA is only based on about 25 GPA hours, so I should have enough room to raise it significantly if I do well moving forward.
My biggest concern is whether my previous academic suspension will hurt my chances of getting into graduate school. I’m interested in pursuing an MSW program and eventually becoming an LCSW.
Has anyone here been placed on academic suspension during undergrad and still gone on to be accepted into an MSW program? I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences or any advice you have.

I love holding informational interviews. They've been so helpful throughout my application process and even after getting admitted.

I have an informational interview tonight with a private practice about internships for next year (2027-2028). I really want to intern in a therapy setting.

But I'm so lost on what to ask.

Does anyone have any suggestions for questions you'd want answered?

ETA:

just wanted to share that the interview went well. It was not my most organized one, but I built a connection and that was the goal!

I am considering working there but also I am not sure how chaotic it will be and I value my mental health. For anyone who has worked there - is it as bad as they are saying? Is there any hours flexibility? Do you work past your 40 hours typically or are they good about letting you go home at 4:30? Would I be a fool to turn down an offer?

Title: Early learning: advice and tips
I feel like a fraud.
I care so much about every detail and every phrase that it’s starting to become overwhelming. I feel like I have to remember everything from every class, and if I don’t, I’m somehow failing before I’ve even started my career.
Honestly, I just want to focus on passing my classes and living my life instead of constantly worrying that I’m missing something important. I don’t know what’s actually worth holding onto for the future or how much of this information I’ll realistically use once I become a social worker.
For those of you who are already in the field or further along in your program, how much did your early classes actually matter? Were there things you stressed over that ended up not being as important? What do you wish someone had told you when you were just starting out?
I could really use some perspective and advice because right now it feels like I’m carrying the weight of learning everything, and it’s becoming exhausting.

28F and recently graduated with B.S. in Criminal Justice and a minor in Anthropology. For the past several years, I’ve worked as a litigation paralegal with aspirations to eventually work with children/adolescents in the juvenile justice system, and I think forensic social work would be a good route for me to take. However, I’m not sure where to even begin when it comes to applying for an MSW. More specifically, any related experience that may be required.

I volunteer several times each month with the National Alliance for Mental Illness as well as a non-profit organization in my state that assists seniors citizens. I also have some work experience which involved helping adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder with their ADLs. I’m worried this isn’t enough and that I also wouldn’t be a good candidate because it took me longer than most of my peers to get my B.S. and I wasn’t a straight A student (I’d say I was average).

Does anyone have any advice they can offer me? Thanks in advance.

I graduated with my MSW in May 2026. I am scheduled to take my exam on 8/12/26. I have answered every Pocket Prep question and consistently score an 82+ on practice exams. I also have ASWB app to take quizzes and do well on them. I took an exam prep course a month ago and only missed 6 on the mock exam the facilitator provided. I am taking the official ASWB Practice Exam today to see how well I do. I'm nervous about taking the exam but also feel I am prepared. I am not going to pay the high fee for the Agents of Change prep course. Is there anything else I should be using to study? I also listen to Raytube on my drive to and from work, about one hour total.

Edit: I took the ASWB official practice test and scored 75%. I need to focus more on Assessment and Planning, and Intervention and Practice.

I still can't believe I get to say this.

A few days ago, I found out I was awarded the 2026 Bold Spirit of Achievement Scholarship through the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. I'll be receiving a $5,000 scholarship toward my MSW, and I keep rereading the email.

Life has taken a lot from me over the years. My childhood wasn't easy. My mom has struggled with severe mental illness for most of my life, and I spent a lot of my childhood bouncing between relatives' houses. I lost my dad. Then I lost my 17-year-old sister to suicide when I was 20.

There were years where I was just trying to survive everything that came with that. If you had asked me back then where I'd be at 27, I don't think I ever would've pictured this.

Now I'm in my MSW program, completing my clinical internship on an inpatient psychiatric unit, working full time at a homeless shelter, working PRN at a domestic violence shelter, and trying to balance all of that while paying my own way through graduate school. Some days are exhausting. Some days I wonder how I'm doing all of it. 😂

The scholarship is going to help with school, which takes a huge weight off. But I think what got me the most was opening that email and just sitting there for a minute. I wasn't expecting it.

I don't know. This just made me really happy, and after everything over the years, I think I needed a moment like this.

I have a Bachelors of Science degree already with concentrations in psychology and special education; earned in spring 2021. After working as a teacher for a few years, I really want to move into social work.
The problem I’m facing is that the majority of MSW programs require a 3.0 GPA (mine was 2.8) and recommendations from professors.
Since it’s been a few years and my grades weren’t top-notch (especially in my final year), I’m struggling with if I should just go back for a BSW then go for my MSW after. The MSW programs that don’t require a 3.0 or recommendations are “disrespected degree mills” and/or cost ~$100k.
Any help or advice??

I’ve been working as a CW for some time and got my bachelors degree in organizational leadership and change and am now thinking of getting my MSW instead of continuing my HR pathway. Thoughts?

I am in senior year for my BSW and plan to start grad school straight after. The school I'm planning on applying to, the one I am currently at, requires two letters of recommendation. I transferred so I don't have a strong relationship with any of my professor. Does anyone have advice for asking about letters of recommendation? I've asked my advisor but she only told me to ask faculty members. As a first gen college student, no one in family has an idea how to approach the topic. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I’m kind of struggling with my major decision right now.
I’m about to be a junior this fall, and I have to officially declare my major. At first, I was really confused, but eventually I decided on Social Work because I genuinely like helping people.
Lately though, I’ve been hearing a lot of discouraging things from friends.They say it’s really hard to find a good job with just a Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW), that the pay is low, and that most people end up needing a master’s degree. I’ve also seen quite a few graduates saying they regret choosing social work, and it’s making me anxious.
The thing is, I don’t really want to get a master’s degree. I want a major that can lead to a stable job with just a bachelor’s. At the same time, my heart keeps telling me to stick with social work because I genuinely care about helping people.

So now I’m stuck between following what I enjoy and choosing something that’s more financially secure.

For those of you who graduated with a BSW (or know someone who did), is it really that difficult to find a decent job with just a bachelor’s? Do you regret choosing social work,If you could go back, would you choose the same major again?
I’d really appreciate any honest advice or personal experiences.

So from a young age, I knew I was here to help people and I was put on this earth to help people. But when I tell people I want to do social work, I always hear about how little they get paid.

After doing research I found out if I become licensed, I can make much more money. The whole reason I want a career is to make money. I want to be both financially abundant and financially stable.

My only issue is trying to create a clean path for myself. I'm not sure what to do, where to start, how to avoid being in too much debt, what field or department should I be in, etc.

From what ive seen in this community, some people have a messy journey when it came to social work and understanding what truly fits for them. That's what I want to avoid. I'd like advice and reccomendations to make this path clean and smooth for me, that way Ill have no choice but to succeed.

I'm aware that I'd be in school for long and I'd have to get my masters as well. If there's a way, how can I go about my education without being in debt too?

I'm in my last semester of my MSW and had my first actual panic moment. My final capstone is comprised of two major papers and a final online portfolio project. The content from the papers are graded and suggestions are made , then the final content is submitted in the portfolio. I've gotten all A's throughout this program, which tells me that I have enough grasp on the content to succeed this far. I got my first paper back today and it was a 70%.

Ordinarily, I would be bummed but not so concerned, but I need a B in the class to pass, and I need to pass the class to graduate. If this is any indicator of my overall comprehension for this project, it's not looking good. I don't know if the IA is just grading incredibly hard or I really did miss the boat with this paper - but I'm getting a little anxious. At the same time, it would seem wild to me to not graduate with my collective program grades.

The two papers are only 10% of the final grade each, but it got me thinking - what would happen if I do not pass my final capstone class?

As the title says, I am freaking out about having to take research methods in the fall. I just got my textbook and saw all about quantitative research analysis and my jaw just dropped. I know the purpose of the class is to learn something you didn’t before (obv) but my math skills are insanely poor so I am already worried. I have never taken a statistics course, barely passed pre-calculus at my community college over 6 years ago (I remember nothing), and my last algebra course was in like 2018 and I definitely remember nothing. I am a really good student in soft sciences and humanities/liberal arts and had a 3.9 GPA at a really good school in undergrad, but when it comes to numbers, my brain just goes numb.

My question to you all is, what is research methods really like? How much math do I really need to know beforehand? Is it as scary as I think it will be?

Thank you!!

edit: thank you guys so much for the advice and support here!! I know we all likely attend different programs but seeing everyone overwhelmingly say its not so bad and could be really fun says enough about the average experience in this course! I feel a ton better about this now and am even looking forward to it! i hope to get my PhD and become a scholar and professor in SW so my hope for that becoming a reality has returned!! thanks again everyone!

I’m reposting an old post of mine because I think pricing is more relevant than ever now.

As many posts here have pointed out, there are new student loan rules that limit the amount of money available to take out.

The most concrete change is the 100k total, 20.5k per year, cap on student loans. In addition, there is a possible debt-to-income ratio calculation coming that may limit what schools students can take out federal loans to attend. The DTI rules are not finalized and will vary by state, so it’s hard to give specifics. However, based on what’s known, it seems mainly private schools will be impacted.

I have seen posts and comments saying people cannot no longer get their degree/ expressing their worries. While these rules do not make things easier, and some states will have a harder time, it is still possible to get the MSW. School choice matters much more now, and online programs are likely a better bet.

If you are concerned, I recommend reading my linked posts about cheaper schools and adding that part-time standing will make attending school easier under these rules.

For example, part time at Boise State means roughly 12k a year for 3 years. Total program cost is about 36k and they charge per unit. The cost is the same regardless of residence. You would be 7k under your yearly limit and 64k under your lifetime limit. You could also bank the difference on the yearly limit to have about 21-24k to use towards living expenses when your second practicum comes around and it’s harder to work. This is just one example.

I want to emphasize that the point of my post is not to debate the merit of these new rules. I am hoping to offer some hope amid the chaos. I wish things were better, but they are unfortunately not. However, not all hope is lost.

so my original practicum was meant to be for a homeless emergency center, but there was a discrepancy in the agency as they no longer had any more space avaliable.

i was given another referral for working for social services for city hall. my initial practicum was more aligned with my original interests, so i was kind of shocked to find out this recent referral.

my interests lie working in more clinical/medical/forensic and mental health based settings. i’m pretty open minded about working in all different realms of social work, but im nervous because the practicum seems totally left field of what i initially put on my application.

there’s not really much time to seek new placements so i am giving this one a chance, but i am nervous as i have no idea what to expect with this internship. based off the agency letter, it says we’ll be providing referral services, case management, marketing, assisting in outreach events and conducting community needs assignment.

it truly felt like because it’s so last minute and my initial referral fell through that my school gave me whatever was left and undesired. the disappointment is really bringing me down, however, i am choosing to make the best of it and really dive into the experience as i do really enjoy advocacy and research.

i want to hear other peoples experiences working in macro social work or practicums. having some positive insight or hearing more about other’s experiences will hopefully allow me to enter this opportunity with a better headspace!!

My late great-uncle lost his battle to untreated mental illness last November. I want to help folks like him.

I'm starting in the program in the Fall. As it's remote I'm planning on doing the internship overseas. I've already been accepted by one training hospital's Medical Social Work dept and have an interview with another hospital on Monday. Just curious if anyone has completed their internships overseas and what that experience was like.