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University of California May Hike Social Work Graduate Fees

UClogoJeers to the University of California regents for considering hiking  fees social work and other graduate programs.

A San Francisco Chronicle editorial said the plan would charge social work students an additional $4,000 professional fee on top of tuition. The additional expense would discourage students from pursuing social work graduate degrees.

Why should social workers take on more educational debt when their media annual income is already $51,000, ranked last place in compensation among graduates of the 44 professional degree programs, the editorial asked.

Here’s an excerpt from the editorial:

“This surcharge could deter talented students from going into social work at a time when California has been making strides in reforming its foster-care system – and a blue-ribbon commission headed by Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno identified reduction of social-worker caseloads as a priority.”

The National Association of Social Workers supports “The Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act” (H.R. 795 and S. 686), to address challenges facing social work college students and professionals. To read more about the legislation click here.

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  1. The University of California is considering a plan that would charge social work students an additional professional fee on top of tuition, according to a San Francisco Chronicle editorial. This proposed professional fee is not a nominal increase either. It’s a $4,000 professional fee on top of tuition. Considering social workers’ median annual income, combined with the cost of living in California, I can see why this story was filed under “Jeers”. :o(

    E. A. Wahrburg, MSW, LCSW (NC, NY)

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