Wichita State University? (Lawrence, Valley Center, Hope: transfer, construction, schools)

[christina0001]

I'm considering Wichita State for their masters in social work program. I can't believe how affordable their tuition is, compared to other schools. I have family in Valley Center I could stay with for free and commute. Is it a good school? I found a thread here that had nothing but positive things to say about it, but it was over a year old. Any comments would be appreciated.

[crazyma]

Have a friend who was going there for a business masters of some sort. she wasn't too thrilled with it, I really don't know the specifics, and has gone over to Friends.

But hubby is going, likes it for the most part. Is in his last yr. working on business management degree. he is a non traditional student (aka old, haha)
Sorry I don't know more, good luck.

[Sally29]

I recently completed the MSW program (grad) and was very dissapointed. If you want an easy way to get your degree then maybe this is the program for you. It seemed that everyone got an A - and the work wasn't that hard. If you showed up for class, that seemed to do the trick. I guess I expected more from a graduate program. The tuition is low but in this case you get what you paid for. The faculty were nice but seemed more interested in making it easy for themselves and the students then having any standards. I have my degree now so I shouldnt complain.I had to take the licensing exam a couple of times before I passed and so did some of my friends who also were in the program. I guess the classes didn't really prepare us that well. Have you considered the University of Kansas School of Social Work? I wish I had gone there instead and it also has state tuition. Good Luck!

[KevK]

WSU is OK but it is not exactly KU or even in the same league.

[Sally29]

Just spoke with a friend who graduated from Neuman University - its also in Wichita and they also have an MSW program. She really loved the program and even though it was private tuition she was glad to have gone there over the WSU program. I dont know if you are aware of the other MSW program in Wichita but it might be worth checking out. Good Luck with whatever you chose!

[Modron]

I have degrees from both KU and WSU and I wouldn't say WSU isn't "even in the same league" as WSU. I know a number of people who've attended both schools and it's not unusual for them to say, depending on the program, that WSU was actually better. Head-to-head in a work situation I've out worked and outlasted two KU grads at the Master's degree level, and I earned my Master's degree at Wichita State. Realistically, universities function as businesses these days; they're going to take your money unless you totally flunk out. A few years ago I was considering a career change and enrolled in one of Friends' evening programs. I found it a total "racket." The instructors were poorly trained. One used his class as a soapbox for his personal politics which devolved into an argument in the classroom that devolved into a shouting match between students in the hallway during a break, and the instructor just walked off leaving these students screaming at one another until break was over then he went back in the classroom. About three weeks later I saw the same thing happen in a different class with a different instructor. (Although, in fairness to that other class's instructor, she did try to resolve the issue rather than just walking away.) I left Friends and took a considerable financial hit on the tuition, but it was worth it to get out of that mess.

I guess I'm just adding to the input on the board. I'm not a social worker and my experience at KU and WSU weren't in social work, but I'm not sure blanket statements comparing schools quite sum up the quality of the experience you'll have at those schools, either.

[athfo]

Originally Posted by christina0001

I'm considering Wichita State for their masters in social work program. I can't believe how affordable their tuition is, compared to other schools. I have family in Valley Center I could stay with for free and commute. Is it a good school? I found a thread here that had nothing but positive things to say about it, but it was over a year old. Any comments would be appreciated.

You definitely have to consider the fact that Wichita State is located inside a major metro area, with job opportunities at your doorstep. KU? Not so much... I'd rather not drive an hour away for an internship as a Jayhawk. Ok, obviously this isn't true for every case, but considering social work: Wichita > Lawrence.

I too have lived in Valley Center while attending Wichita State. The commute to WSU is about 17 minutes, give or take, depending on time of day and traffic.

[Sally29]

Your points about WSU are well taken and those are what I thought of too. But, at least in social work, KU is a nationally/internationally known program and WSU is not. Just because you go to school in Wichita doesn't mean you want to stay there and work. Anyway, you only do your MSW once so I think it is better to find the best program you can. Sad to say in my experience the social work program at WSU didnt live up to my expectations or those of many of my friends

[pullnmapuda]

I have a few questions and please don't think I am stealing this thread. If any one is upset I will repost.
My Wife and I are thinking of going to college. She has a little and I have none. We are thinking of UoP, but also Buttler CC. Has any one had any good experiance with either?
Another question, I have been an owner operator of my own business for many years and can no longer do the construction trades, At my age and my wifes of 46, what areas should we look at. She likes Accounting and it is many of the same classes of a teaching deg, if she should dec. to go that far. I like Criminal justice but have no idea what to go for if any.
It all started out with a friend who went to vatterat for a year and got a job in Computer Programing. I looked into it and found that they offer a nontransferable cert. They do job placment which is a hlep, then I checked a CC and it takes 4 years to get to learn computer programing.
Any ideas from people there or have been there appreciated.

[crazyma]

U of P...you mean university of phoenix?
Hope you have some money, those online classes are expensive IMO.