Interview with Dr. Dale Lindquist – Director of the Online MSW Plan at Fordham University

About Dr. Dale Lindquist, LCSW, D.Min: Dr. Lindquist is the director of the online MSW program in the Graduate Schoolhouse of Social Service at Fordham University. He is besides the managing director of the Bertram M. Beck Institute on Organized religion and Poverty, which works to promote collaboration between dissimilar departments at Fordham Academy every bit well equally the broader community to alleviate poverty in New York City. Dr. Lindquist earned his D.Min from New York Theological Seminary and his 1000.Div from the Yale Divinity Schoolhouse. He as well earned as MSW from Fordham Academy.

Dr. Lindquist has practiced clinical social work for over 25 years working in diverse settings including clinics, schools and hospitals. He has too worked in individual practice. In addition to his Theological and Social Work degrees, Dr. Lindquist also holds an MFA from the Yale School of Art and has directed several documentaries on mental health, social and cultural problems. Dr. Dale Lindquist was compensated to participate in this interview.

[OnlineMSWPrograms.com] Currently, there are approximately xx universities offer fully online MSW programs. How long has the program at the Fordham University been offered and how is information technology structured?

[Dr. Lindquist] Fordham University has been offer the Online MSW Program since Fall 2011. Students tin start the program in either the fall or spring semester. Advanced Continuing students brainstorm the program in the fall and accept a prerequisite form the summer preceding their fall start. The pedagogy is offered in an asynchronous format but. All courses run for viii weeks with students taking one form at a time, totaling two courses each semester.

Students enter in cohorts only are combined with other cohorts in their advanced year. We find this combination increases the experience of coming together swain students who are going through the plan, and serves to broaden and enhance dialogues the students have already begun. If necessary, students may defer up to 1 year earlier needing to re-apply to the programme. Fordham University offers the aforementioned MSW degree program both online and on-campus. All students, regardless of whether taking classes online or on-campus receive the same diploma.

[OnlineMSWPrograms.com] For students who want to get licensed clinical social workers, licensing requirements vary by state. What advice practise y'all have for students in terms of researching the requirements in their state of residence and how does Fordham University assist with the process?

[Dr. Lindquist] Students should contact their respective states licensing function for information on the requirements to be eligible to both take the country licensing test too as practise social work in their corresponding states. Fordham University has a career services section which will further assist students with licensing information, licensing preparation seminars. It has updated data for licensing requirements in most states, particularly in the tri-land area.

[OnlineMSWPrograms.com] Field Education is a major component of MSW programs and requires a significant time commitment from students. Many online programs are geared towards working professionals, how practise yous recommend students balance field education with other responsibilities?

[Dr. Lindquist] The Online MSW Program at Fordham is geared towards the non-traditional educatee, that is a educatee who is perhaps working full fourth dimension, raising children, caring for a family fellow member, or even those who are returning to a second career in social work. A major benefit is the flexibility the program provides regardless of the type of educatee. The plan is part time and uses an asynchronous format. Students can log in at any time 24-hour interval or night to complete their coursework.

In addition, the weekly modules open the weekend before to help students program their schedule for the upcoming week's coursework. We practice recommend that students who do have significant responsibilities outside of their studies choose a 14 hour field placement or if they are working in the field, consider doing a work study at their identify of employment. These two approaches can help students residuum their studies and field placements along with their personal obligations.

[OnlineMSWPrograms.com] What advice practise you take for professionals who are considering earning a MSW and peradventure entering the field of social work for the commencement time?

[Dr. Lindquist] For those considering the field of social work, they may want to consider taking one to ii classes as a non-matriculated educatee before fully applying to an MSW program. These students may besides consider volunteer opportunities at any type of social service plan. Lastly, those considering the field of social work will desire to speak with others who are currently working in the field and attend orientations, or speak with access personnel at graduate schools they are interested in attending.

[OnlineMSWPrograms.com] For students who take already decided they want to pursue a MSW, but are unsure well-nigh online education, tin can you briefly explain the pros and cons to pursuing a MSW online?

[Dr. Lindquist] The advantage of an online plan is the flexible schedule that allows the student to log in and consummate coursework at any time, primarily in the asynchronous format. This allows the educatee to manage their ain time and ready their ain schedule for when "going to form" is good for them. The disadvantages would be the loss of the face to confront interactions with other students and the faculty straight. However, the contact the online student has with other students and faculty is much more involved and takes identify over a [prolonged] menstruum of time often facilitating a relationship.

[OnlineMSWPrograms.com] Online educational activity requires bailiwick from students to stay on runway and keep up with coursework and assignments. What systems are in place to ensure that online students do not autumn behind? Do you accept whatever recommendations for online students in terms of staying on track with coursework?

[Dr. Lindquist] The faculty and administration involved in the Online MSW Program at Fordham are extremely accessible to our students. The programme has its own plan director and back up staff specifically for online students that includes a program administrator/educatee liaison providing bookish advising and educatee support services, a defended Manager of Field Didactics for online students in field placement, and a 24/7 technical support person assisting students in overcoming any technical barriers to learning. The kinesthesia is in constant contact with the assistants working collaboratively to ensure students do non fall behind, as well as providing outreach and support to students who may. Nosotros are proud of our high retentivity charge per unit and contribute this to the faculty investment in our students every bit well as the administrative pupil support.

Considering online learning does require a high level of independent learning, self-discipline, and time direction, it is suggested that students develop a consequent organization that works for them in accessing coursework and completing assignments, nosotros encourage students to attain out to kinesthesia and administration if they find they are falling behind.

[OnlineMSWPrograms.com] Currently, Fordham Academy has both a traditional program and an advanced standing program, what is the typical academic background of the students in the traditional program?

[Dr. Lindquist] In the online MSW traditional program, students accept a variety of undergraduate degrees representing dissimilar disciplines. Our students represent a broad historic period range and experience with some having worked in the social work field in some capacity, and some having no previous social work experience.

[OnlineMSWPrograms.com] Online programs have really helped to open up the door to higher education for more individuals, especially those who do not have access to a local university. Currently, Fordham Academy but accepts students from Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, are there plans to expand the plan to more states in the time to come?

[Dr. Lindquist] The Online MSW Plan has recently lifted the geographic restriction and is at present open to residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, including NYC and the surrounding metropolitan areas. The program has also expanded to now offer a hybrid option at our Long Island, NY location for students interested in attending classes both on campus and online. With respect to the tri-state geographic requirement, it was devised to be able to closely monitor our students who are in field placement every bit to not compromise their learning feel from a distance. Due to the success of the program, Fordham is currently in its planning stages to expand the program beyond the tri state area to include boosted states where students tin earn a Fordham degree online.

[OnlineMSWPrograms.com] For students who are set up to apply to an Online MSW Programme at Fordham University, what advice exercise you accept in terms of preparing their application? I know the program requires an autobiographical statement.

[Dr. Lindquist] Prospective students should exist able to demonstrate excellent writing skills and limited why they are interested in pursuing social work as their career, including what they feel they bring to the field, and why they want to attend the program online versus at an on campus program. The autobiographical argument is an opportunity for prospective students to limited these interests and goals for the social work field. Prospective students should consider their three references wisely, including those who tin provide both a professional and grapheme reference.

[OnlineMSWPrograms.com] Finally, with more universities starting to offer online MSW programs, why should students consider Fordham University?

[Dr. Lindquist] Fordham University'south Graduate School of Social Service is ranked #11 in the land of elevation social work schools by US News & World Report. Our mission in man rights and social justice guides our curriculum and provides students with the highest quality education, informed by Jesuit values. Our dedicated kinesthesia and administration is engaged in cutting-edge enquiry, defining the futurity of social work theory and do. The online courses are designed by Fordham faculty.

The asynchronous format of the online program allows students more flexibility to log in and complete their coursework without the pressure of needing to sign in at a certain 24-hour interval or time. At that place is no need to ever travel to our campus, unless students wish to, and they complete their field placements at a location close to them. With manageable class sizes, 24/seven technical support, and ongoing availability of faculty teaching their courses, students receive the highest quality education through the online program.

Students who are interested in getting more data about Fordham University's online MSW programs can visit Fordham Academy's website .

Thank you Dr. Dale Lindquist for your fourth dimension and insight!

Last updated: April 2020