Finish 2nd undergrad or apply to MSW

August 29, 2023 12:31 PM

Years ago, I started a second undergrad intending to gain entry into a healthcare profession. Had straight As until I had a bit of a meltdown in my final year, bailed out of two courses, ended up with Fs in those. Should I repeat those or apply directly to an MSW? (In Canada)

Originally my idea was to do a qualification in physiotherapy. Ironically, my meltdown was prompted by having six tendon injuries (upper and lower body) simultaneously and getting massively depressed as a result. Anyhow. The undergrad was in psych (my thinking was it’d be easy to score a decent GPA, I’m interested in the subject etc). So, yes meltdown, failure; then my dad’s dementia got worse and I have been a caregiver to a greater or lesser degree (mostly greater, latterly) since.

My dad got into a day program and has friends taking care of him twice a week. So I have some days available to improve my situation.

I “reactivated” my degree - it’s the last year this is possible, next year I’d have to reapply - hoping to clear this up, ie repeat those courses, sweeten up my GPA, and apply for entry to MSW programmes the following year. (I am sort of doing social worky type stuff anyway for my dad and partner re coordinating care etc. I don’t mind it. I’m good at it. May as well make some money that doesn’t keep me up at night. Plus, in some way what I’ve been doing for years now would count for something viz a viz a career.)

Should I try to apply to an MSW now with those failures on record anyway to cut time?

In Canada there are only yay many MSW programmes open to non-BSW majors. They’re largely competitive. However there may be some places for part time students even for this fall (!).

Waste of time and money to try?

posted by cotton dress sock to Education (13 answers total)

Response by poster: (I’m in my mid to late 40s, for reference & a sense of my timescale. Have lost time earning of course. Need to make up savings. On the market I’m about as valuable as an old shoe currently. I figure SW is one area age and experience can be a benefit.)
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:35 PM on August 29, 2023

How easy would it be to reactivate your second degree but change your major to social work? It certainly seems like not having a BSW puts you at a disadvantage.
posted by kevinbelt at 12:51 PM on August 29, 2023

Best answer: Can you call up some of the yay many schools and get their take on what you should do? Or schedule a visit to talk to their admissions departments. Might be better than just guessing if getting your MSW is the end goal.
posted by greta simone at 1:00 PM on August 29, 2023 [7 favorites]

Response by poster: Kevinbelt - Oh. Well, it would be a full year, five courses per semester, plus a practicum (I think it’d be 400 hours for the practicum?), whether it would be a pre-master’s “qualifying year” elsewhere or a post-bac accelerated degree at my uni. BSWs are also competitive in my area and I am pretty sure they’re full. Also reactivating my degree was relatively simple whereas I’d need to gain entry into the BSW, late…

I feel like part time (two psyc courses now or a PT MSW) would be good for me in terms of ramping up to full time, for this next year anyway.
posted by cotton dress sock at 1:02 PM on August 29, 2023

I'm not totally clear on what the choice is here - is it "apply now and forget about the second bachelors" or "apply now and keep working on the second bachelors"?

Also how directly-related to an MSW are the courses you failed? They're probably going to care more if the course you failed was psychology or social determinants of health or something like that, less if you failed chemistry or Anatomy & Physiology.

Regardless, I don't see much harm in applying now, unless that would prevent you from applying again in the future. I'm sure you have a better chance of being admitted to the programs with some recent academic success under your belt, but you have zero chance of being admitted until you apply.
posted by mskyle at 1:04 PM on August 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: greta simone - the SW departments I’ve seen explicitly say they don’t offer preadmission advising, but I can always try (under a pseudonym maybe??).
posted by cotton dress sock at 1:04 PM on August 29, 2023

Are you open to relocating north? Schools like UNBC are less competitive. Prince George is not for everyone, though. Connections to the indigenous community or lived experience with substance misuse is more helpful than your age.
posted by shock muppet at 1:24 PM on August 29, 2023

Best answer: BSW/MSW/LCSW checking in, although I'm in the U.S. I think the degree is basically the same. The only advantage my BSW gave me in my MSW program was that I had advanced standing, meaning I could complete a full time program in a year and a half instead of two years (or in my case a part time program in 2 years instead of 3). This seems to be the same for the schools in Canada that allow non-BSW applicants.

If your current degree does qualify you for the non-BSW application path, I would go for it. Your completed, second non-BSW won't help you qualify for the schools that require a BSW, and going back for the BSW will set your MSW timeline back significantly. It's also a lot more work than another degree, because of the practicum aspect, and you're also going to have at least 2 lengthy practicum placements for the MSW. The waste of time and money, I think, is to continue on the path of another degree without seeing if you can get into an MSW program without it, first. Tuition will be more expensive than an application fee!

Also, everyone in my MSW program was in their late 20s or above--most in their 40s and 50s. It's quite common for people to work or gain personal life experience before grad school in this area, and it's valued!
posted by assenav at 1:25 PM on August 29, 2023 [2 favorites]

Best answer: You might find that if your local, preferred program has declining enrollment, they'd be very eager to hear from you. I'd really encourage you to call programs of interest and have a direct conversation with them. I would not describe yourself as having had a meltdown, though. You had an injury and caregiving situations, and this happens a LOT. I'd be honest, in a kind way, about your situation, and see what they recommend.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:11 PM on August 29, 2023 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: mskyle - right, I was thinking maybe I could try to get a place on a PT MSW that would be starting this fall! And do the psyc courses in case that doesn’t work out. Otherwise I’d be applying for MSW programmes this winter (with ideally some recent coursework under my belt, and progress towards an attempt to fix that GPA.)

shock muppet - I would be totally up for this if I didn’t still have caregiving duties here now. My dad is plugged into some great resources that might be hard to find elsewhere. I’d have to move him with me to the same town (probably into an LTC, which I’m desperately trying to avoid). The fewer moves for him right now the better, familiarity and routine are super important for him. We’re in the GTA.

assenav - wow, thank you for your encouragement! Super heartening to hear :)
posted by cotton dress sock at 2:15 PM on August 29, 2023

Best answer: Adding another suggestion, though it’s an expensive one…have you considered remote programs? Remote programs in the US won’t have a BSW requirement, and CSWE has a reciprocity agreement with the Canadian MSW certification folks.
posted by assenav at 6:34 PM on August 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

Your undergraduate institutions might be helpful. Contact an old mentor or the current chair of your department, tell them your alum and ask if they have any guidance.

Your success is your alma maters' success, so they will probably be motivated to give you some advice.
posted by BrashTech at 9:49 AM on August 30, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: The institution you are interested in may not offer any pre-admission counseling but I'm fairly certain they would be able to help you with questions about 'this course might matter but this course won't' kinds of questions, as well as whether your current undergraduate GPA would disqualify you. If there is an undergraduate advisor listed on their website for the MSW program, call them. If there isn't an undergraduate advisor, try the secretary to the department who may have some advise for whom to speak to. These folks tend to be very open to talking with students or in your case a potential student. Good luck!
posted by bluesky43 at 9:56 AM on August 30, 2023 [1 favorite]