Social Worker Online Programs: Balance School and Life

Earning an online degree in social work while balancing a healthy family and work life can be a challenge, but it is definitely possible.

There are many schools whose primary aim is to help working adults obtain a higher degree and make a better life for themselves and their families. There are quite a few options and tracks for you to choose from, and also some practices you can employ to make this adjustment as seamless as possible for both you and your loved ones.

Choose the Right School and Track for You

There are social worker online degree programs through well-known, traditional universities, including Boston University, University of North Texas, and Kansas State University, as well as schools where online education is emphasized, such as University of Phoenix, Capella University, and Fordham University. The main difference between these is the price, so check and make sure the school you are wanting to attend is not for profit. They usually have part-time and full-time tracks, so choose which track works best for you. If you have a partner that helps pay the bills, you may want to consider working less so you can go to school full-time and finish more quickly. Otherwise, you can still attend school part-time, but it will take you longer to obtain your degree.

Online Programs Give You More Freedom

Online degrees give you significantly more freedom because you do not have to attend actual classes; you simply have to turn in your work on time. So, you can still go to work, spend some time with family, then complete your homework when your loved ones have gone to bed or are busy with other activities. If you are in school part-time, you probably will not have nearly as much schoolwork to finish, so that small amount of time each day would probably be manageable. Otherwise, if you realize you do not have enough time, you should ask your partner, eldest child, or a friend to babysit your other children while you work on homework in your own space. You can compensate them with a meal out or a small gift.

Make Social Work a Priority

Your family is obviously top priority, but your social worker online degree program should be given second priority over your current job. If you don’t complete your degree, you won’t be able to score the job of your dreams, which would make you happier than your current job. This means sometimes needing to turn your boss down if he calls you to work an extra shift when you have homework to do. The extra, immediate money may be tempting, but focusing on your degree plan with help you more in the long run, both financially and emotionally.