Midlife change??

[Dogmama]

The MSW has a huge clinical component. In fact, you have to demonstrate 240 contact hours before you can be accepted. I agree - I don't see how you can get it by just reading a book. It's like reading a book on swimming & saying you're now a swimmer...Michelem - didn't know about NAU - thanks!!. Of course, you know that NAU stands for Not A University - right?

Sorry - the Devil made me do it....tee hee...

[Crankin]

Wow, I never heard that one. I guess I have been away too long.
I do know a few people, mostly children of friends, that completed degree programs through the NAU extension programs in the valley. They all liked it and have jobs.
We don't have any university rivalries like AZ does. There are so many colleges here, that it doesn't matter. Maybe AZ needs more schools.

[Dogmama]

AZ can't support the schools it has. But that's another subject...

I was attracted to ASU's MSW program because the cohort class size is small - 20-25 students go through the curriculum together. How cool is that?

I will say that ASU seems to focus more on teaching than UA. UA is so bent on research that the teaching component flies out the window. We had a fantastic teacher in my department. He loves teaching & the students love him. He'll never get hired, though, because he has no desire to do research. So he continues to be an "adjunct" which is a temporary position. It's very sad. Money drives everything.

Sorry for the thread drift

[bmccasland]

Bear down Arizona, Bear down red and blue
Bear down Arizona, beat the $*!# out of ASU.....

Sorry, just had to throw that in.

Couldn't help myself.

[Red Rock]

Just wanted to check in and say thankyou for all of your comments. I don't want to make any rash decsions on jumping to grad school yet. I need to do some thinking and evaluating..etc. The first step would be getting into a GRE review course, which sounds like a great idea. I kind of need to look over the forest before going for a hike through the forest. If you understand what I mean.

Thankyou,
Red Rock

[Crankin]

I agree with the research vs. teaching comment. Though, it seems like (and as a Sun Devil, I hate to say this) the kids of my friends who were super smart and won those free ride 4 year scholarships all went to U of A...
I don't know. I liked ASU and feel that I got a very good education. So did my husband.
As far as the AZ can't support more schools, they certainly have expanded the ones that are there. I mean ASU has like 4 campuses now. Maybe if those were entirely different schools, it would be different. You know, more competition.
But, it's a lot better than here.We have so many private schools that most kids won't even consider the state ones. They are woefully underfunded and in deplorable physical condition. My son went to U Mass Amherst (the flagship) and got a great education. But, it's really seen as second class. Then everyone ends up with thousands of dollars of debt to pay for those private schools.