Online Master of Social Work Gives New Meaning to Essential Work

When establishing a completely online Master of Social Work degree, leaders in West Virginia University’s School of Social Work had no idea the timing would coincide with a global pandemic, giving students the chance to learn remotely while making a difference in their home communities.

“The new online MSW degree option advances WVU’s land-grant mission to provide educational access to students from all areas of West Virginia,” said Mandy Weirich, program coordinator and clinical instructor. “Graduates will be prepared to pursue a range of professional roles from clinical practice to administration in settings such as behavioral health, medical healthcare, addiction, child welfare and aging.”

Since launching in fall 2019, the new program has enrolled 96 students from 18 states and 20 counties in West Virginia. Social work is a targeted area of growth nationally with positions expected to increase up to 20% in the next 10 years. It is in demand more than ever given new needs presented by the pandemic, and there continues to be a shortage of behavioral health social workers in West Virginia.

“Social workers serve essential roles in assisting and empowering clients to meet their needs. This pandemic has undeniably impacted so many people on so many levels. Social workers have had to get creative to continue to meet the needs of their clients while keeping their own safety and wellness in mind,” said online MSW student Cassidy McNeely. “Social workers serve as resource brokers, mental health counselors, advocates, educators and so much more. All of these roles are critical to the functioning of society, particularly in the midst of a global pandemic that has negatively affected so many families and individuals.”

To prepare for these changing demands, students like McNeely are navigating long-distance field placements. A Stafford, Virginia, resident, McNeely is working with Brain Injury Services, a nonprofit that provides services to individuals with brain injuries in northern Virginia.

“At first, I wasn’t sure how a virtual field placement would work, and I honestly did not expect to remain virtual for this long,” she said. “However, it has ended up being a really great experience. BIS is providing case management services, occupational therapy, vocational services, support and therapeutic groups, mental health counseling and rehabilitative programming through a completely virtual platform.”

As she prepares for a future career in case management, McNeely has worked with the organization’s adult case management department, interacting with clients via phone conversations and Zoom.

“I help them create SMART goals and objectives for their individualized service plan,” she said, referring to the acronym of management tips used to guide long-term efforts. “I work directly with them and their multidisciplinary treatment team to help empower them to achieve their identified goals.”

McNeely also provides programming through the organization’s rehabilitative day program, which offers virtual Zoom classes five days per week in areas like wellness, independent living skills, peer support and vocational skills. Examples include adaptive yoga, culinary classes, social groups, mindfulness and meditation, internet safety and emergency preparedness.

“My one career goal that has remained constant is to work in a case management or administrative setting as a social worker. WVU is helping me achieve this goal through the online MSW program,” McNeely said. “I’m very thankful that WVU structures the program in this way. Otherwise, I would have most likely chosen a clinical track and missed out on some interesting and helpful classes. One class in particular that stands out to me is financial management and grant writing. This class taught me how social workers can work in a more administrative setting, which I am now considering pursuing after graduation.”

During her field placement at Voices for Children Child Advocacy Center, Michigan native Tara Wood offered remote play therapy for children. The experience was her introduction to working with children – and in a virtual environment, no less.

“I was the organization’s first remote intern, so there were a few challenges along the way to make it work. The play therapy sessions were over Zoom with very young children, even three- or four-years-old. This was so strange to me at first – it was an entirely different world,” Wood said. “My field instructor was so creative, though. We would still play with toys like dolls, Play-Doh and crafts, connecting without being in person. We even did a few trainings on video games, stepping into their world and relating their favorite games to real-life circumstances.”

After completing her field placement, Wood is now considering a career working directly with children.

“We learned so much about the kids through their play and got to see such a creative and independent side of them,” Wood said. “The whole experience was so much fun despite the emotionally heavy toll of some of the conversations. I worked with quite a few children who experienced trauma, and I am still deeply inspired by their strength and resiliency as well as their ability to share and be open.”

Both McNeely and Wood reflected on the benefits of the online program’s flexibility.

“I chose to pursue my master’s degree online so that I could continue to work full time while completing the program. Once the pandemic began and most universities shifted online, it was helpful to already be in the swing of things with online learning,” McNeely said. “Prior to beginning this program, I had some concerns about online learning as I had never done it. I wasn’t sure if the support from faculty would be the same as in-person learning. However, the instructors in this program have been excellent. They have always been there for me every step of the way with any questions related to coursework and have even stepped up to be personal mentors when needed.”

After struggling to complete the last two years of a traditional bachelor’s degree in psychology online at Michigan State University, Wood knew she needed an online, asynchronous master’s program.

“The online format is the only way that I can picture myself in college at this point in my life. I am generally a busy person, and the thought of scheduling in-person, synchronous classes on top of that is not realistic for me. I needed a master’s program that would assist me in the planning of online courses and would have other students doing the same,” Wood said. “It is easier for me to keep my focus in online classes. I can pause a video and re-watch something that I missed, and I can choose to do my learning when I feel that it is my best time to work on it.”

Given all the challenges with working and learning amidst a pandemic, McNeely reflects that these experiences will help her become an even better social worker.

“This has certainly been a hard year, but I think that this experience will only help me moving forward in my career as a social worker,” McNeely said. “I will be able to better empathize with clients who may struggle with feelings of anxiety or helplessness.”

The asynchronous, online MSW has opportunities for students with bachelor’s degrees in social work and other disciplines. Learn more about the tracks and apply to the School of Social Work’s fully asynchronous online MSW: socialwork.wvu.edu/students/msw/online-msw-program