The Part-Time MSW Program allows students who are not able to pursue full-time study to work towards a master’s degree on a structured, time-extended basis with classes delivered in a hybrid manner. Some courses are designed as blended courses with a mix of online learning and in-person sessions, while others are taught as online courses. In-person sessions take place every other Saturday on our Madison campus.
Year in the program:
First – Advanced Standing
Focus area:
Children, Youth, and Families
Future job interest:
I am interested in continuing to work with youth in my current capacity or move on to some type of first-generation advisor or counselor for college students. There are so many great job options out there and I only know about a fraction of them, but I am open to change if I find something new that interests me in the future. I like the idea of working with multiple populations in various capacities throughout my career because I love learning new things.
Why did you choose to the Part-Time Program?
I was torn between the Full-Time and Part-Time programs at first but then I decided it would be best for me to apply to the Part-Time MSW Program in order to keep my full-time job. In this program, I have been able to balance my daily work duties along with my weekly coursework. The Part-Time Program has also allowed me to stay close to home near my family and friends.
How would you describe your experience in the Part-Time MSW Program?
So far, my experience in the UW Madison Part-Time MSW Program has been challenging but positive. My classes have taught me many new things which are helping me to be a better and more-informed worker in my current job. My professors have all be very approachable and understanding, they are easy to talk to and are genuinely invested in helping us learn and grow both personally and professionally. My classrooms have been a safe space to share and grow together and this has helped boost my confidence in my social work abilities.
What has been your favorite course so far in the program and why?
My favorite course so far has been Teri Thomas’s Interventions with Children, Youth, and Families because it has been so helpful and eye-opening to me. Since being in Teri’s class, I have been made aware of many very helpful interventions and tools that I can take back to my unit meetings and share with my co-workers. This class has been challenging me to seek out newer and more appropriate interventions for our clients to help us provide them with a better level of care and support.
How do you think the Part-Time MSW Program has prepared you for entering the field of social work?
This MSW program has taken everything I learned from my undergrad classes and continued to build off of that. Every week I am learning new skills, concepts, perspectives, and techniques and trying to find ways to bring some of those things into my current job. Our professors ask us to think outside of the box and critically examine the effectiveness and implications of common interventions we use every day. They also challenge us to improve upon things that are not working and offer creative solutions and ideas to problems we face in the field.
What would you say to someone who is considering the program?
If anyone is considering applying to this program, I would say to go for it! I had a lot of doubt about going back to school in the beginning, but now I know this was a great decision. It might not always be easy, but the journey and the end-results are worth it.
What UW support services have you used during your time in the program (ie: Writing Center, etc) and how did they help you?
This is only my second semester in this program, but during this time my professors and classmates have been very supportive. This has been helpful because I had gone through a rough couple of months just before starting this program over the summer and I was worried I might not be able to complete it. Now I feel like I will be able to finish my two years here because I have people behind me who care about me and my goals.