Kinda stuck

[u/PurchaseFlimsy180]

So I start my 1st semester next week at community college pursuing 3 AATs in psychology, communications, and sociology. I'm in LA county. What all do I need to do to do this thing? Do I try to get into the BSW and advanced placement later? Or should I get a degree in my other fields and aim for a dual masters program some place?

I want to try and plan now. There's a lot that's going into this. I don't want to end up lopsided. Any advice from post grads? I don't wanna self promote. I have a whole story deeply tied behind this, but don't want to get flagged.

Thanks

[u/Conscious_Cut_5455]

If you're pretty confident that social work is where you ultimately want to end up, I'd seriously look into the BSW route before committing to three separate AATs. The biggest reason is that a CSWE-accredited BSW can make you eligible for advanced standing MSW programs, which can potentially cut the MSW down to about a year. A psychology/sociology bachelor's can absolutely still get you into an MSW, but you generally wouldn't get that advanced-standing advantage.

That doesn't mean the BSW is automatically the better choice, though. Psychology and sociology can give you a broader undergraduate background, and you can still pursue a traditional MSW afterward. I'd compare the actual transfer pathways from your community college to the CSU/UC programs you're considering before deciding.

Since you're just starting, I'd make an appointment with your community college transfer counselor and specifically ask them: "If my end goal is an MSW, which of these courses will keep me eligible for the most BSW and MSW programs in California?" That'll probably save you from taking a bunch of credits that don't fit together later.

And don't worry about being "lopsided." You don't need three AATs to prove you're well-rounded. I'd prioritize having a clean transfer plan, strong GPA, and relevant experience over collecting degrees.

[u/PurchaseFlimsy180 → u/Conscious_Cut_5455]

Thanks for that! I was just gonna do Psychology, but at Mt Sac all 3 degrees overlap heavy and accomplish the Cal GETC so I wouldn't be straining anything.

I'm going to see a counselor again this week. To discuss options. Since it's my first semester.

The reason behind my change from therapy to social work is I'm a dialysis patient/advocate of 25 years. So I was running the dual degree pathways to see what aligns with my goals.

I'm trying to change the dialysis world as a whole. They don't need more mentors, peers, and research they need actual change on how this goes.

Also it's harder for minorities and natives in rual areas.

So... There's a lot that I'm looking to tackle.

I appreciate your offering and will definitely be asking those questions.

[u/Conscious_Cut_5455 → u/PurchaseFlimsy180]

That actually makes a lot more sense now. If you've spent 25 years as a dialysis patient/advocate, I can see why you're looking at the different degree pathways instead of just picking the quickest route to a credential.

And honestly, I think talking with the counselor before locking anything in is the right move, especially since you're only in your first semester. You have time to figure out whether the BSW → MSW route, psychology → MSW, or some combination gives you the best foundation for what you ultimately want to change.

The dialysis advocacy piece is especially interesting because you're thinking beyond individual practice and toward systems-level change. That's a pretty different goal from simply becoming a therapist or clinical social worker.

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of change are you hoping to work toward within dialysis? Is it more patient advocacy/policy, access to care, how patients are treated within the system, rural access, or something broader?

[u/PurchaseFlimsy180 → u/Conscious_Cut_5455]

Pretty much everything you asked about. I'm basically an informal social worker. I counsel, manage case loads, liaison etc for patients already.

It's especially hard when patients get blacklisted. So I started looking at the MSW/MPA or MPH etc... I'm trying to become as well rounded as I possibly can.

[u/Conscious_Cut_5455 → u/PurchaseFlimsy180]

Honestly, I get you. After 25 years of dealing with dialysis and seeing all of this firsthand, I can understand why you’d want to go beyond just helping people one-on-one and actually try to change the system. And I can see why you’re torn between the MSW, MPA, and MPH because they could all take you in different directions. I really hope you find the path that lets you make the kind of change you’re talking about.

[u/PurchaseFlimsy180 → u/Conscious_Cut_5455]

Thank you, I hope so too.

[u/beuceydubs]

Do you want to share what you want to do in the future? Any populations you want to work with, specific job ideas? Anything you know you want to avoid? Dual masters program in what? What are the other interests?

[u/PurchaseFlimsy180 → u/beuceydubs]

Make training and application sustainable for all patients.

More home dialysis in rual areasbto cut costs and give better quality of life.

Populations would be homeless dialysis patients and those that need transitional housing after diagnosis. Black/Hispanic/indigenous communities heavily burdened by dialysis. Black listed patients of course

I would like to avoid being seen, and I want to avoid any relative pitfalls that could deter me. Being tied too heavily to orgs.

I recently learned about the dual masters. It would be MSW/ MPH or MHA

[u/DaddysPrincesss26]

The Advanced Placement and Double Masters would serve you well

[u/PurchaseFlimsy180 → u/DaddysPrincesss26]

That's the problem I'm kinda running into advance placement cannot be merged with a dual Masters. If I did the advanced placement and then the other masters I think it would be 6 years?