Advice needed re social work/human services degrees

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Suse, May 10, 2008.

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  1. Suse

    Suse New Member

    I posted here several years ago asking for information about planning education in the field of neuropsychology, and I got lots of good advice, including the advice to read as I liked on my own - which turned out to be the best advice I got.

    For the last several years, I have been working in the social services field. I'm currently a case manager for people with MR/DD; I supervise their programming and home settings, and ensure that state standards are being met. I've found that while I may not stay in the MR/DD field, social services is definitely my thing. (Although I do love the accounting end of my job, also.)
    If I stay in this field, social work at a nursing home or on a county board of MR/DD are my ultimate goals career-wise. If I go into Accounting (because I love the ticky-tacky exactness of it - humans are unpredictable but numbers aren't) I'm not too worried, I'll figure it out along the way.

    I have some decisions to make. I also have around $29,000 in student loan debt to consider and I'm in my mid-40's, so cost of any degree and my relative earning potential are factors I must consider strongly in finding a suitable program.

    In a perfect world where I had time and money, I would study social work at a B&M program. But in my reality, I have to find a DL program. I haven't found any 100% DL social work programs, so I'm looking at Human Services degrees, and if the stars fall right, perhaps I'll try a Master's in Social Work later on. TESC has a Human Services for Special Populations that seems interesting, and I was wondering if anyone knew of other programs that might suit my interests as described. Accounting programs seem plentiful so I'm not too concerned about finding one; it's the social work/human services spectrum that has me a bit overwhelmed.

    I still have to figure out how to fund the degree, but to stay in my field other than in my current position, where the pay is not too great and allows no room for retirement savings, or to change careers and become an accountant, I have to get the BA anyway.

    Sorry for the length of the post and I really appreciate any advice you can give!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 10, 2008
  2. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    In a perfect world where I had time and money, I would study social work at a B&M program. But in my reality, I have to find a DL program. I haven't found any 100% DL social work programs, so I'm looking at Human Services degrees, and if the stars fall right, perhaps I'll try a Master's in Social Work later on. TESC has a Human Services for Special Populations that seems interesting, and I was wondering if anyone knew of other programs that might suit my interests as described. Accounting programs seem plentiful so I'm not too concerned about finding one; it's the social work/human services spectrum that has me a bit overwhelmed.

    I still have to figure out how to fund the degree, but to stay in my field other than in my current position, where the pay is not too great and allows no room for retirement savings, or to change careers and become an accountant, I have to get the BA anyway.

    Sorry for the length of the post and I really appreciate any advice you can give![/QUOTE]

    >>

    A good friend of mine is in the process of earning her MSW on the ground, but asked me if I knew of any online....so, just happen to have a link right here! I have no idea if it fits the bill, just thought I'd share.

    https://www.conted.und.edu/ddp/programs.html
     
  3. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    Bachelor of Social Work

    The following institutions offer distance education delivery mode of the programmes listed below.

    University of Manitoba offers a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree.

    Dalhousie University offers a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree and a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree.

    Athabasca University offers information about becoming a social worker that much make for interesting reading and career planning.

    Appalachian State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) degree; this is a degree completion programme for off-campus students.

    University of North Dakota offers a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree for students with or without a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. Foundation courses are offered for those without a BSW. You probably require an undergraduate degree (BA or BS in any major) though, but you can contact UND for clarification.

    Bellevue University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Human and Social Service Administration degree.

    University of Denver offers a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Social Services degree. This is a degree completion programme.
     
  4. Suse

    Suse New Member

    I spent part of the day looking through the links provided and the only one that looks possible is Dalhousie, so I'll look into that. I'm not sure of what hoops I'll have to jump through, being a US student who would need financial aid, but I'm sure they can tell me. I do appreciate the help!
     
  5. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    I would expect Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to be eligible for US federal student loans.

    Here are some resources to investigate:

    [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)[/FONT]
    SallieMae International
    Study Abroad Financial Aid

    If all else fails, you could apply for a personal line of credit from your local bank. However, part-time students sometimes have increased restrictions or limitations in terms of obtaining personal lines of credit. It never hurts to ask though.
     
  6. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

  7. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    While the schools in Canada may be eligible for US federal student loans, this will only apply for U.S. students physically attending said schools, on campus. A law was passed a couple of years back, which disallowed schools from granting US federal student loans to students in DL programs.

    BTW, what's wrong with UND?

    Tom
     
  8. Suse

    Suse New Member


    Thanks for the clarification. And nothing's wrong with UND as far as I know, other than that I don't have that blasted bachelor's degree yet. I will check, though, to see if it's required.

    And Ted, thanks for the link. I'll check it out too.
     
  9. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Tom, Are you saying that a law has been passed to disallow federal aid to students in all DL programs (because I thought they had recently abolished the old 50% rule) :eek: or are you merely saying that the law disallows federal aid to US students in foreign DL programs?
     
  10. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    Hi Ted,

    The latter. It was called The Defecit Reduction Act of 2005. This same act also eliminated the old 50% rule (so I guess it wasn't all bad!).

    Sorry for the confusion!

    Tom
     

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