Is a master's in social work worth it?
342967
financially yes it is you will make at least 20,000 to 25,000 more with the masters in social work versus a Bachelor of social work.  Also most agencies don't promote to supervisor unless you have a masters.  If you are not the primary bread winner and you don't like to be in supervision a bachelor is fine.  Also with a masters you can do family counseling and if you get your LISW  you can go into private practice and do counseling.
1094075
It's only going to be worth it if the degree is from an accredited university.  There are quite a few established universities that offer online programs (such as an MBA) where you would never have to set foot on campus.  SMU (Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX) offers an online Masters program in Engineering, for example.  California State University in Dominguez Hills offers an online MBA program and I believe California State University in San Bernardino offers an online MPA program.  University of California at Berkely I think also offers a variety of online degrees.  Duke offers an online Masters of Environmental Management.  As far as I can tell, you can work at your own pace, so if you wanted to be enrolled in several different schools at the same time, you could certainly do that.  It just depends on how much time you're willing to devote to your studies.  \nAs for being cost effective, I would say that depends on a number of factors including the school you're thinking about going to.  Some schools charge by the year and you can take as many classes as you want; others charge by the class.  Obviously a "state school (from my examples, the Cal States and the UC)" charges one price if you're a resident of that state and a higher price if you're a "non-resident."  Private schools (Duke and SMU) charge significantly more.  \nI would say it is certainly possible to go through more than one program at a time, but it will be increasingly more difficult to do if you're working.  One program will be difficult enough if you're working.  If you are looking for a Bachelor's program, I would suggest starting at a JC and maybe taking a couple online classes and/or evening classes to see how it fits in with your schedule and lifestyle, and it will be significantly less expensive to get all of your lower division classes out of the way there compared to anywhere else.  From there, I would look at state schools near you (next cheapest) and see if they have programs you're interested in and possibly double major so you wouldn't have to enroll in two schools, which would be incredibly expensive.  If you're looking for an online Master's program, it may not be cost effective to go to one school online for both programs if the school charges by the class.  I have been looking into two different programs I am interested in for my Master's, and one is a private school and charges by the class.  The other is a nearby state school and is significantly cheaper flat fees.  The private school does offer the program that the state school does, but the state school doesn't offer the program that the private school does.  In my case, it would be more cost effective to go to the two different schools, rather than do both programs at the private school.\nHave you thought about applying for financial aid?  If you're over (I believe) the age of 24, you can get significantly more aid to help you pay for your studies.  If you are working, some employers will help pay for tuition and books if the degree would be beneficial to the company in any way.\nGood Luck!
742386
In most states, you have to have a masters degree in some form of counseling, psychology, or social work.  If you want to go into this area, an MSW (Master of Social Work) is the most versatile degree.  Then most states will want you to be licensed.  It is not required, but if you want to get a job, you will have to have it in most places.  That may either be an exam, or hours of supervision plus an exam.  If you are interested in specifics on licensure in either Illinois or Indiana, I could help you with that. \nIt is possible to counsel without a masters.  In this case you would need a bachelors in psychology or social work.  If money is a concern, don't try to go this route because you will make very little, and there is no way to advance without a masters.
53646
Go to work for a local university.  Tuition benefits are a common benefit at schools.  I got my Master's for free this way (though admittedly the pay wasn't great, so I guess the tradeoff was in making a crappy salary for a couple of years).
35741
That will depend on where you obtain your graduate degree from.  They might require that you fulfill core classes more closely related to your social science degree.  Your best bet would be to speak to an advisor or someone at the school.
426603
I have a Bachelor degree and am going for my Masters after having taken a 3 year break.  For years I wondered if it had been worth the time and money I spent on college, since I was unable to find a job related to my field.  Now I realize that it was well worth it.  with regard to jobs, I made the mistake of not going for an internship while I was in school.  You're right, colleges don't prepare students for the job market.  On the other hand, although my brother has a better job than me even though he only has a G.E.D. (he's also much more ambitious than me), he has been unable to move up to the managerial position because he never went to college.  The college experience offers you a whole new way of looking at things...you can't get that view merely with experience.  As for the Ivy League schools, the name may make somewhat of a difference, but the education is not all that much better.  Another plus of going to college is that some careers require a degree and even if your career doesn't, you may change your mind later (like I did) and if you already have a Bachelors and your career requires a Masters you won't have to start from scratch.
236369
I WAS IN THE SAME PLACE! But instead of giving up I finished and did a master's where I'd never have to do casework and deal with people's problems. Now I'm a well-paid administrator and develop programs. I have no cases! It just took a year and a half more of school, I got to stay in social work, put have none of the downsides.
65706
I would go to my campus career advisors and make them find me an apprentice (private practice, group provider practice, social service agency, church ministries etc.) type job. At the least they can point you to potential employers of graduates with this degree.  Your degree program should prepare you to graduate as a LICENSED therapist.  There are lots of unlicensed therapists with Masters degrees in counseling.  Unless they are writing books they can't practice as licensed therapists.  It is extremely difficult to secure a paid position without a license.  All college career advisors should know this.  No degree program is worth its salt if its graduates are not prepared to practice their craft in that state.  All states require a license to practice therapy.
39251
I recently received my Master's Degree through Walden University. It is a completely online program. You read textbooks and articles, watch DVD's by the authors of the books and teachers of prestigious schools, write answers on an online bulletin board, and write a weekly paper or two of only a couple pages each. The best part of the program is that you use the knowledge immediately in the classroom. The students benefit. You benefit. And then, when you are all done, you get paid more. I also found it to be one of the least expensive programs that I researched. Definitely check this out. Very current theories and practices.
1055629
It is something different, although a master's will earn you more $$$. Check wiith the district where you want to teach, or with your college registrar.
686048
You can do that, but it's not a double major.  The master's in law will have to follow the bachelor's.  As long as the master's is not getting a law degree designed for the bar exam, the whole run should take about 6-7 years so yes, it is longer and more expensive than a 4 year bachelors degree. A master's in anything is more advantageous than a bachelor's alone.  Be sure the two degrees complement each other though. I'm not sure how criminal justice and business law relate in the job market.
879123
If it got you a career path you enjoyed, and found fulfilling, then yes.\nLife is about life experiences, not $$$\nIf your study brings you rewarding experiences, working with interesting people in a field that you love... that is priceless
234058
Two options, look for departmental scholarships. I paid for two degrees in social work that way. \n\nSecond, fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and decline loans. It'll tell you what grants you can have. \n\nGood luck, sweetie!
266722
i went through a lot before i settled on mine...which is communications. I now realize thats a BS degree and i wish i had picked English, which is what I love. Basically you need to do something you like rather than just pursue the degrees that are going to make you money. You can get a great job after school is over, but if you are miserable is it worth it?
474809
I would say it depends on the type of job and where you live.  If you're going into something like Social work (which is notoriously low paid work) that still sounds like very little money for your credentials.  Have you been on any other interviews that sound promising?  I would think long and hard about your prospects.  I took a job in Social Work that couldn't give me the hours I wanted, or the pay I wanted, and I ended up staying for almost 4 years, because they did end up giving me the hours, but not the pay I deserved, and it was just easier to stay there.  The jobs I applied to didn't pan out, but I also didn't put in as much effort into looking for something else because I was so absorbed in the job I had.\n\nI would suggest doing a search of your career, and average wages by state just to help you make your decision.  \n\nPersonally, I would keep looking.  You don't want to sell yourself short.
793750
M.S. is better but a minimum of a B.S.
294229
If you do not have a clear idea of what subject (and why) you want a Masters, I would suggest you put it off for a year or two.  A graduate degreee is something that requires a lot more of you than a BA/BS does...and you need to choose a program that excites or inspires...something you are passionate about.