As a social worker, you will understand that there is always something new to learn. Whether it’s how better to communicate with clients, or learning new time management techniques, many social workers strive for bigger and better things. If you want to climb the career ladder and enter into managerial or leadership positions in social work, going back into education is a no-brainer.
Thousands of people obtain an MSW (Master of Social Work) degree which can open more career doors and opportunities. If you’re currently in full-time employment, there is the option to study the course online, rather than at a land-based establishment. Here are ten reasons why you should study for your MSW degree online today.
Flexibility
Those in full-time employment may not have the time to commit to a degree at a land-based facility. However, thanks to the growth in popularity of online degrees, you can study for your MSW degree from the comfort of your own home. Not only does this allow you to learn in an environment where you feel most comfortable, but you can also pick and choose your studying hours to fit around your schedule.
This means you don’t have to give up work while you go back into education, enabling you to earn while you learn. Many MSW students enjoy having the freedom and flexibility to study at a time and place that suits them, rather than having to commit to set lectures and seminars. To get the best results from your MSW degree, make sure you are organized from the beginning and establish a routine. Doing so will keep you motivated and help you strive for perfection.
24/7 Access
Unlike in a classroom environment where you may not have the course materials once you arrive home, should you opt to study for your MSW degree online, you will have 24/7 access to everything you need with a click of a button. This means you can study for your course at any time of day or night and be confident you have the essentials needed to complete coursework.
If you study for your MSW degree in person, should you miss a seminar, you may struggle to catch up. Any class notes taken during the lecture may be difficult to get hold of. Therefore, studying online means you won’t have this worry, as all important documents and information can be retrieved online within seconds.
Self-Paced Learning
When studying for your MSW degree online, you won’t have to worry about competing with other students. For those who study in person, while there are some advantages like being able to engage with other students, you may feel pressure to keep up at the same rate as them. Each student is different. While some will be able to retain information quickly, others will need more time catching up. If you fall into the latter, the benefit of studying online means you can learn at your own pace.
As you will be learning from home, you can take your time with your learning. This will help you fully process information and help you keep on track with your coursework. If you have any difficulties along the way, don’t hesitate to ask a tutor for advice. Many students feel embarrassed to put their hand up in class. If this sounds like you, you will benefit enormously from connecting virtually with tutors, rather than in person.
Unlimited Study Opportunities
While most people study best from home, you can study for your MSW degree online in all kinds of environments. If you live in a busy household, finding a quiet area to commit to your learning can be challenging. Therefore, getting out of the house and heading to your local library to get stuck into your coursework will offer some much-needed peace and privacy.
For those who are planning to go on a staycation, as long as you bring your laptop with you (and have a Wi-Fi connection), you can cram in some learning pretty much anywhere. With unlimited study opportunities, make sure you pick a place where you can fully concentrate, otherwise, you will have difficulty keeping on top of your degree.
Better Self-Discipline
When studying for your MSW degree online, you won’t have a tutor breathing down your neck and keeping tabs on you. While you may find this a huge relief, it does mean you need to have excellent self-discipline. To get the best results from your degree, you’re going to have to take accountability for every action and have motivation and discipline to learn. Studying from home comes with its distractions, so whether you have young children who need tending to, or your favorite television show pops up, you need to have the willpower to say no to temptation and instead, focus on your course.
Once you master the art of self-discipline, this can help you tremendously when stepping into social work. If you want to become a leader in social work and command a higher salary, you will need to be a pro at self-discipline. Prioritizing your workload over anything else will help you in the working world and ensure you excel in your degree.
More Choice of Courses
Thanks to the rise of online learning, there are more courses than ever before to choose from. If your heart is set on a master’s in social work, there are several options to choose from. These include an Advanced Standing MSW or a Traditional MSW Program.
Before choosing a degree, it’s essential you check out the entry requirements and modules before signing up. You don’t want to select a course that doesn’t benefit you going forward. When you factor in how much time, money, and effort you’ll spend on your degree, you want to be confident you’ve selected one that aligns with your career goals.
Lower Total Costs
Many social workers are hesitant to go back into education because of the cost. If you have children especially, we all know how much it costs to raise them, meaning the idea of parting with any more money may be the last thing on your mind. Thankfully, online learning is considered far cheaper than a land-based educational facility.
This is because there are several costs attached to in-person learning, including accommodation. If you’re on a tight budget and don’t have the funds to spend on living away from home during your master’s program, it’s wise to opt for an online course instead. Once you graduate and obtain your desired grades, you won’t have to worry about being saddled with mountains of debt either.
No Daily Commute
The idea of getting up at the crack of dawn to rush to a lecture may fill you with dread. The rush-hour commute feels like a challenge like no other, so if you don’t like the idea of being crammed on a train or bus, studying for your MSW online means you don’t have to worry about commuting.
As there are no set lectures, you won’t have to worry about missing out. Unlike in person where should you be late, you will be faced with walking into the classroom with all eyes on you, studying online means you can get stuck into your course at any time that suits you best.
Opportunity to Network
During your MSW online degree, you may feel like there isn’t much opportunity to engage with other students. However, you will be surprised. Thanks to technology, you can interact with like-minded individuals through platforms like Skype or Zoom. This will give you a chance to discuss the course with those in the same position as you. Making connections with other social workers can prove highly lucrative, especially when it comes to keeping each other notified of job opportunities.
Knowing you’re not going through the degree alone can take the pressure off. At times, you may feel isolated at home studying, so being able to reach out to fellow students to discuss the highs and lows of the program will help keep you sane and help keep you motivated.
Great Support
Regardless of what institute you opt for to study for your MSW degree, there will be plenty of opportunities to connect with faculty and other support staff. This means you can speak to tutors throughout your program to get expert help and advice.
Whether you need help on a particular module or need something clarifying, all online schools will have a dedicated support team to guide and assist you throughout the course. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you need help, as a little helping hand can go all the way in terms of graduating with top marks. Once you know you have the backing of your tutors and other peers, you will feel more confident with your course.
Getting a master’s degree in social work online will allow you to command a higher salary, better support clients, and provide job security. If you want to work alongside your studies and climb the career ladder, obtaining your MSW degree virtually may be the perfect decision for you.
