I'm heading in to my last year of the MSW Extended Degree Program at UW. Oh, hindsight... If I had it to do all over again - I would've gone with the Day Program. In the end it would've saved me money and time.
Evening/weekend students end up paying twice as much ($395 per credit). I cry each time my Direct Loan statement comes.
The program also claims to be geared toward people who must work full time while going to school. This is utterly impossible. The 2nd year - you have a 16 hour/week practicum. The 3rd year - it's 24 hours/week. I don't know who can work 40 hours/week, do 24 hours/week of practicum AND take 1-2 classes per quarter.
Evening/weekend students have little choice regarding electives, and can't choose a specialty (clinical, administrative). We're all "Advanced Generalists." Choices for instructors are also pretty much nonexistent. You're stuck with the schedule and professors they give you, and don't bother complaining about it.
If you like low-expectations - this may be a good program for you. The TA for my first class announced that spelling/grammar would not be factored into the grading of the papers. Huh? This is a graduate program??
I'm just getting the "paper," then I'm free.
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