Graduate School How to get in different degree options what happens when your are there

Graduate School Applications Deadlines Fall Admission Early (around January 15) Fall Admission (ranges from March to April) Spring Admission (not always available or limited - - ranges from September to November) Some programs offer Summer Admission GPA GRE

GRE Dates Computer Based Testing Can be done Year Round at Various Locations around Pennsylvania and Other States Done by appointment on a first come basis Must register in advance see for Details

Graduate School Applications Cover Letter!!! Letters of Reference Curriculum Vitae Vs. Resume Emphasize Experience

Graduate School Funding Expenses Loans Employer Programs Scholarships and Fellowships (Usually a Separate Application) Graduate Assistantships (Usually a Separate Application) Teaching Research Clinical Programs Public Service Incentive Programs (Usually a Separate Application)

Q. What is the value of studying social work instead of a related field such as sociology, psychology, counseling, or human services? A. Social work is a profession that distinguishes itself through its own body of knowledge, values, and ethics. While graduates of the other fields listed may, in various states, be employed by social service agencies and perform many functions that social workers do, their education and background knowledge are not distinctly that of a social worker. Please contact the accrediting bodies of the fields mentioned above to learn more specific information. Social work education not only focuses on the acquisition of knowledge and theory, but also requires that students have field experiences in the last year of a baccalaureate program and in the 2 years of a master's program. This field experience provides students with an opportunity to practice skills learned and to apply knowledge and theory in actual practice settings. MSW Programs

Masters of Social Work Length of program (full time) Generally 60 credit hours Generally no thesis One semester full time experience Most student aspire to additional internships to become a LCSW

MSW Programs LCSW is the acronym for Licensed Clinical Social Worker, independent practice license granted in many states. licensing requirements vary from state to state but generally the LCSW requires that an individual hold a CSWE- accredited master’s degree in social work have at least 2 years post-master’s degree supervised practice experience pass a board exam meet other requirements specified by the state

CSWE Accredited Programs Pennsylvania Programs Bryn Mawr College Marywood University Temple University University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh West Chester University Widener University California University of Pennsylvania Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Other Regional Programs University of MD-Baltimore Salisbury University (MD) Delaware State University Kean University (NJ) Monmouth University (NJ) Rutgers 11 programs in NY state 3 programs in VA 5 programs in Ohio

Counselor Education Programs Often a Masters of Education degree (MEd.) Length of Program (Full Time) Great deal of variation among programs Ranges from credit hours (About 18 months to 2 years) Often requires a thesis or an internship (or both!) Thesis programs tend to be shorter Internships have contact hours from hours Programs in most Universities that have a College of Education Sometimes seen in the Educational Psychology department in the College of Education

Counselor Education Programs Common Specializations School Counselor Community/Mental Health Counselor Addictions Counselor Marriage and Family Counselor

Counselor Education Programs “Counselors” or “Marriage and Family Counselors” are licensed by the state of Pennsylvania (somewhat like LCSW) MS in appropriate discipline have at least 2 years post-master’s degree supervised practice experience pass a board exam meet other requirements specified by the state

M.A. or M.S. Sociology Can be M.A. or M.S. Length of Program (Full Time) Great deal of variation among programs Ranges from credit hours (About 18 months to 2 years) Often requires a thesis Rarely requires an internship (applied sociology) Non-thesis options are sometimes available (sometimes an M.S. (thesis) M.A. (non-thesis option) Degree offered in Most Universities

M.A. or M.S. Gerontology Can be an M.A. or M.S. Great deal of variation in length of programs from 28 to 36 credits (18 months to two years) Most require a thesis Certificate programs Many specializations, services, research, administration

Part Time, Distance Education, and Correspondence Programs+ Choose a reputable school Look for accredited programs It might not work for you, or it might be perfect

Ph.D. Programs Admissions process similar to MS programs Most programs require MS first Accelerated Ph.D. programs combine the two degrees and are about a year shorter

Grad School Subculture Be prepared to work very hard Be prepared to write many papers Your first six months are critical Try to get funding Graduate school is sometimes very political Often there are cliques