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Making the decision to enroll in a Master’s degree program in Social Work (MSW) and become a social worker is one of the most exciting and important decisions someone can make. Choosing the right college, however, will determine whether the time, money and effort you invest will provide you with the credentials necessary to get the job you want. There has been a rise in online MSW programs and while this is a good thing because it provides students with additional options and more financial flexibility, it has its drawbacks in that not all programs are created equal. No matter how prestigious the college might be, or how high your GPA climbs, if the online or traditional MSW program you graduate from is not an “accredited” program, you will not qualify to get your state license to practice social work.
Sponsored Online Social Work Degree
What Accreditation Means
Dr. Beth Walker is an expert in exactly what accreditation means for a graduating student. As a social worker for many years, she worked with abused and neglected children; served a caseload of individuals with behavioral health issues; facilitated a Girl Scout council comprised of 6,000 girls; managed a Heart Association Ball (raising several hundred thousand in charitable dollars) and managed United Way organizations across the U.S. which support human service agencies big and small.
Today, she is the Dean and Chairperson of the MSW Department at Western New Mexico University (WNMU) as well as a professor. Notably, WNMU is one of the few accredited online programs. When we asked her why accreditation is important she was quick to answer.
Recommended Social Work Degree Accreditation Resources:
How to Learn If an Online Program Is Accredited
How to Pick the Right Online MSW Program
The answers to the following questions will vary from college to college, so be sure to find out the answers to each:
Do not expect to rush through the process of discovering which online program is the right one to meet your particular needs. The decision you face is of great magnitude and deserves as much time and effort as you can afford to give. The fact is, once you have found your academic home you can relax in the knowledge that you did your “homework” and that you are securely on your way to a new and exciting life as a social worker.
