As someone who has completed both in-person and online social work programs, I’ve had the opportunity to see the differences between the two types of social work programs. I’ve completed my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree on-campus; while I opted for an online Master of Social Work (MSW) experience. I’ve noticed that there are both pros and cons of online social work programs. This article discusses the pros and cons of online social work programs so that you can determine if it’s the right choice for you.
Pros of Online Social Work Programs
1. No Need to Relocate
One of the biggest advantages of online social work programs is that you don’t have to uproot your life to complete your degree. Whether you live in a rural area, a small town, or a large city, you can continue to reside in your current town while completing your social work degree. Also, if you live in a remote area, you no longer have to worry about commuting long distances or moving to a new city just to attend classes, but you can still get your social work degree. Accessibility to online social work programs can opens doors to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
2. Flexible Scheduling
Most online social work programs are designed for flexibility, making them ideal for working professionals, stay-at-home parents, or anyone juggling multiple responsibilities. While enrolled in an online social work program, you can complete coursework on your own time, provided you meet the specific deadlines set out by your institution. As a working professional when I completed my online MSW program, having a flexible schedule would have been the only way I would have realistically been able to complete a MSW program successfully. I often spent evenings, weekends and even the occasional lunch-hour reading, watching course videos, and writing assignments. Due to my life situation at the time, it would have been impossible for me to complete my graduate degree on-campus.
3. Increased Chance of Acceptance
By applying to online social work programs, you can apply to multiple institutions instead of limiting yourself to only local institutions. Applying to multiple institutions increases your chances of getting accepted into at least one (and maybe more) social work programs. If you have more than one program acceptance, you have a choice when making your final decision on which program to attend.
4. Choice on Program Focus
Most social work programs have specific program focuses or specializations. Online social work programs give you an opportunity to apply for programs with a specific program focus that best fits your eventual social work career goals, without having to relocate. For example, if you’re pursuing an MSW in Canada, and you’re preferred area of focus is in anti-oppressive practice and social justice, then applying for the online MSW program at Dalhousie University would be a good choice. However, if you’d like to get a specialization in clinical social work practice, then the University of Calgary’s online social work program would better suited.
5. Ideal for Self-Learners
If you enjoy working independently and setting your own pace, online social work programs may just suit your personality. Online social work programs often require less group work than on-campus programs, allowing more time to focus on self-directed work. As a self-learner myself, I loved having the freedom to structure my own learning in a way that worked best for me.
Cons of Online Social Work Programs
1. Lack of Face-to-Face Communication
A major downside to online social work programs is the lack of face-to-face interaction with peers and professors. While there are often weekly written online discussions in social work programs that try to replicate communication among students, the opportunities for networking and building relationships are limited compared to on-campus programs.
2. Missed University Experience
The traditional university experience is harder to replicate in online social work programs. One of the biggest perks of my on-campus BSW experience was having the opportunity to make lifelong friendships, join campus groups, and have the traditional “university experience.” Although, this may not be as important for some students than others, it’s an important consideration when deciding if online social work programs are best for you.
3. Less Personalized Support
Online social work programs tend to have larger class sizes and, of course, are delivered primarily online. As a result, you’ll receive less support from professors than you would in an on-campus environment. In addition, as communication with professors is primarily via email, any support you do receive will be less personalized as the professors know little about you or your learning style. This can impact your learning experience, especially if you prefer direct feedback on your coursework or assignments.
4. Fewer Peer Learning Opportunities
On-campus social work programs provide collaborative learning opportunities through group projects, in-person discussions, and shared experiences in the classroom. While still interactive, online social work programs may not offer the same level of peer-to-peer engagement than do on-campus programs. For example, many online social work programs try to replicate on-campus discussions through written posts between students in a forum. Although written posts are learning opportunities in themselves; realistically, such activities fall short of re-creating the same type of peer learning that one would get while being in-person with peers.
5. Finding Practicum Placements
If you live in a different province or state than the online social work program, you’ll likely be responsible for arranging your own social work practicum placements. As my MSW program was in a different province than I resided, I was responsible to find my own MSW practicum placement. Fortunately, I had a large professional network which helped me obtain the perfect MSW practicum placement for my career aspirations. However, it was 100% up to me to secure my spot. For some, this can be one of the most challenging aspects of online social work programs, especially if you have a limited social work network.
6. Increased Competition
Online social work programs typically attract more applicants than on-campus programs because they are easier to access, which make them more competitive. While some online social work programs can accommodate larger class sizes, the demand still usually exceeds the number of available spots at each institution.
7. Reduced Access to University Resources
On-campus resources like university libraries, writing support centres, and other on-campus academic services are usually inaccessible to online students, especially if they do not live near campus. While some universities may offer virtual alternatives, other universities do not. Although reduced access to university resources may not be a deal-breaker for many, but as someone who had accessed on-campus resources in my BSW program, I can tell you these resources can be a great perk. Whether it is accessing in-library only resources, or getting help at the writing support centre with a difficult paper, these resources made student life a little easier and they helped build my research and writing skills.
Key Consideration
Finally, an important consideration when deciding on a social work program is whether the program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Upon graduation from your social work program, you’ll be required to become registered or licensed with your provinces or states regulatory body. As most social work regulatory bodies require a CSWE accredited degree before registration, you’ll want to ensure that the program is accredited before enrollment.
Conclusion
When choosing between an on-campus or online social work program, determine if the type of program delivery suits your personality, life circumstance, and financial situation. For me, both experiences were valuable in their own way. During my on-campus experience, I liked being able to join university groups, develop friendships, and I even became a research assistant for one of my professors. However, my online social work experience was exactly what I needed at that time as I required flexibility working a full-time job. Also, my goal was to avoid additional student loans working full-time was essential. As this article explained, there are pros and cons of online social work programs. Online social work programs offer accessibility and flexibility for students that on-campus programs cannot possibly replicate. However, online social work programs are less personalized and offer a different style of learning. So, before making your choice, ensure that the delivery model aligns with you and your learning style. Learn more about online MSW social work programs in Canada and the United States.
Online MSW Programs Applications
Applying to online MSW programs? Then, enlist help from the experts – MSW Helper.
MSW Helper is a one-of-a-kind personal statement editing service for MSW applicants. With 89% of their clients successfully getting admitted into competitive MSW programs in 2024, they know what it takes to get accepted into the most competitive MSW programs. MSW Helper provides support to Canadian and American MSW applications services such as:
- Personal Statement Editing and Critiquing Services
- Grad School Resume Editing and Critiquing Services
- 1-to-1 MSW Application Planning Session and Consultation
- Writing Workshop
- The Full Package which is an all-in-one service.
Also, as a special bonus for reading this article, when you use the coupon code KAYLADAS, you receive $10 off any MSW Helper service.
Disclaimer
Evaspare Inc. is an affiliate of MSW Helper where we may receive monetary compensation, at no extra cost you, when you sign up for MSW Helper’s programs or services.