Category: Social Work Programs

Advice from a Non-Traditional Student

Advice from a Non-Traditional Student

Sara Keinath isn’t your traditional student. An active wife, mother and career professional, her passion for social work led her to pursue her Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) at UofL — an online degree that provides the learning flexibility she needs.

How did you start your social work career?

“I am a wife, mother and non-traditional student who went back to school a little later in life. I was unsure whether social work was my true calling until late in my undergrad career, but now I feel like this career is most certainly my home.”

Why the MSSW program?

“When I was pursuing my undergrad in psychology, I knew I would need to continue my education, but was unsure what I wanted to do. I tossed around getting a Psy.D. in clinical psychology, because I thought I wanted to do counseling. That was until I did an internship that focused more on case management. Then I did my research and realized that a MSSW degree would allow me to do case management work along with the clinical/counseling side, plus offer the job opportunities that are more widespread.”

Did you consider a specialization?

“I did not specialize, simply because I wanted to have a more general experience and it allowed me to pick and choose my electives to get that broader educational experience.”

Why did you choose UofL?

“I chose UofL, because at first I was looking at local programs and I was impressed with the Kent School’s curriculum and reputation. The majority of social workers I had talked to had been educated there and had positive things to say about the program. Then when UofL started to offer the online program option, it became the obvious choice for me.”

What did you find most valuable in the online format?

“I liked that the online courses offered the same content and the same professors as the on-campus program. I am a non-traditional student who went back to school once my children were in school. Due to my family’s schedule, a traditional format wouldn’t have been ideal. I needed flexibility and the online program afforded me that. Being able to spend time with my family and be an inspiration to them are very important things to me.”

How has the internship helped you in your current position?

“I am currently employed at Hosparus and have always loved hospice work. That was my goal even before I started the UofL MSSW program. They have employed many interns over the years, and due to my internship there, I was offered a permanent position. Without that ‘in’ I highly doubt I would be an employee there. I am very thankful that it worked out that way.”

What are your professional plans for the future?

“As of now, I honestly just really like where I am. I have no desire to go anywhere else. Having said that, I am currently pursuing my LCSW and once I finish that program, I do hope to do some private practice work on the side.”

What advice do you have for other students in an online social work program?

“My advice is to stay on top of the work. It can be easy to say, ‘I’ll do that later,’ but then before you know it you have dug a hole that is too deep to crawl out of. Also, getting to know your classmates and networking with professors has to be approached differently in the online learning setting. I highly encourage students to make the effort to form those relationships, because this program can be difficult and they will need that support from those students who are in it with them.”

About UofL Online Learning

If Sara’s story resonates with you and you’re interested in pursuing a master’s in social work, visit our online MSSW program page.

The University of Louisville currently offers more than 20 online programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.

Social Work Degree Guide Ranks Online MSSW Program at UofL’s Kent School of Social Work #3 in the Country

Social Work Degree Guide Ranks Online MSSW Program at UofL’s Kent School of Social Work #3 in the Country

The Social Work Degree Guide recently compiled a list of the 25 best nationwide CSWE accredited online Masters of Social Work programs for 2015. Only programs accredited with CSWE, the Council on Social Work Education, were chosen for the listing. The online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work ranked very highly, coming in at #3 in the country and achieving the Guide’s highest possible point score total.

Ranked as the #1 Social Work program in Kentucky, and touted as a top-ranked program by US News & World Report, the online MSSW program at UofL’s Kent School was awarded the #3 spot in the nation due to educational excellence in the areas of online education, enrollment flexibility, accessibility for students regardless of geographic location, and having an Advanced Standing option in place for those students already holding a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Students are able to complete the MSSW program at UofL’s Kent School entirely online, while following the same course curriculum as traditional classroom students. The program is open to all candidates currently holding a bachelor’s degree. A Standard Track is offered for those students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work, while an Advanced Standing Track is available to streamline the process for those holding a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Within the online MSSW program, multiple areas of specialization are available for students to choose from, including Psychosocial Oncology, Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Military Social Work, and Gerontology. The online curriculum is focused on facilitating practices that support and promote social justice. In addition to the online courses, the degree also has a real-world learning component, which involves hands-on instruction, performed in a student’s approved location of choice. This provides invaluable field experience to online students, enabling them to acquire hands-on opportunties in their own communities.

The #3 ranking in the country, as given by the Social Work Degree Guide, is an honor, and speaks to the dynamic quality of the MSSW offered at UofL’s Kent School. The Kent School has been educating social workers since 1936. While steeped in a tradition of educational excellence, the Kent School remains entirely focused on the future with 100% online programs such as the Master of Science in Social Work.

For further information and to view the Top 25 Online MSW Programs 2015, as published by the Social Work Degree Guide, please visit the following link: http://www.socialworkdegreeguide.com/online-msw-programs/. Visit the University of Louisville’s Online Master of Science in Social Work program page to learn more about this highly ranked, dynamic 100% online Master’s Degree program.

Social Work Degree Guide Ranks UofL’s Online MSSW Program #3 in the Country

Social Work Degree Guide Ranks UofL’s Online MSSW Program #3 in the Country

The Social Work Degree Guide recently compiled a list of the 25 best nationwide CSWE accredited online Masters of Social Work programs for 2015. Only programs accredited with CSWE, the Council on Social Work Education, were chosen for the listing. The online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work ranked very highly, coming in at #3 in the country and achieving the Guide’s highest possible point score total.

Ranked as the #1 Social Work program in Kentucky, and touted as a top-ranked program by US News & World Report, the online MSSW program at UofL’s Kent School was awarded the #3 spot in the nation due to educational excellence in the areas of online education, enrollment flexibility, accessibility for students regardless of geographic location, and having an Advanced Standing option in place for those students already holding a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Students are able to complete the MSSW program at UofL’s Kent School entirely online, while following the same course curriculum as traditional classroom students. The program is open to all candidates currently holding a bachelor’s degree. A Standard Track is offered for those students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work, while an Advanced Standing Track is available to streamline the process for those holding a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Within the online MSSW program, multiple areas of specialization are available for students to choose from, including Psychosocial Oncology, Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Military Social Work, and Gerontology. The online curriculum is focused on facilitating practices that support and promote social justice. In addition to the online courses, the degree also has a real-world learning component, which involves hands-on instruction, performed in a student’s approved location of choice. This provides invaluable field experience to online students, enabling them to acquire hands-on opportunties in their own communities.

The #3 ranking in the country, as given by the Social Work Degree Guide, is an honor, and speaks to the dynamic quality of the MSSW offered at UofL’s Kent School. The Kent School has been educating social workers since 1936. While steeped in a tradition of educational excellence, the Kent School remains entirely focused on the future with 100% online programs such as the Master of Science in Social Work.

For further information and to view the Top 25 Online MSW Programs 2015, as published by the Social Work Degree Guide, please visit the following link: http://www.socialworkdegreeguide.com/online-msw-programs/. Visit the University of Louisville’s Kent School Master of Science in Social Work program page to learn more about this highly ranked, dynamic, 100% online Master’s Degree program.