Why D'vora Chose the BA Psychology - Social Work Track

D'vora Muller shares her journey toward earning her BA Psychology - Social Work.

How did you first hear about Sara Schenirer?

I had seen advertisements for Sara Schenirer, but didn’t know any details about the program until a neighbor who recently graduated highly recommended it to me. I always knew I wanted to pursue social work and began taking classes at a different college ten years ago, but quickly recognized that it wasn’t realistic for me to commute to school while raising a young family. I pivoted to teaching instead since I love working with kids, but kept in the back of my mind that I wanted to revisit a career in social work one day. When I found out about Sara Schenirer and heard all the positive comments from friends, I realized that their combination of in-person and zoom classes plus flexible scheduling options would be the perfect fit for me.

What inspired you to pursue a degree in the field of Psychology and Social Work?

II knew that I wasn’t meant for a 9-5 office job and I wanted to work with people in a meaningful way. Social work really called to me, but it seemed like a pipe dream to be able to take the time to pursue both a bachelor's and a master’s degree when I was a newlywed. After I adopted my second child, I met with many different social workers and recognized a gap in the availability of good therapists. I remember having lunch at a restaurant during that time and there was a sign on the wall that said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” That’s when it really manifested in my mind that social work was something I absolutely was going to pursue in the future. I’m so grateful to now be at that point and be working toward my goal with the help of Sara Schenirer.

How prepared did you feel when you first started? What surprised you most about your classes?

I would say I was well prepared, and even though at times the courses were intense, the workload was always manageable. Something that surprised me specifically about the social work program was that I assumed my undergraduate classes would cover just the basics so we could earn our credits and move on. I truly didn’t realize how hands-on and social work-oriented the courses would be. The professors initiated open and honest conversations analyzing serious matters that could be discussed between a client and therapist. They taught us how to handle difficult real-life issues with care and respect. I was also pleasantly surprised at how interesting and interactive my zoom classes were. There was something so compelling about being face-to-face on screen with my classmates while we were all in our own comfortable spaces that allowed us to drop our defenses and connect in a deep and meaningful way.

What has been your favorite part of your experience so far? Most challenging?

I have always loved writing, so I really enjoyed my writing courses. There’s nothing like picking up the proverbial pen (aka keyboard these days). I also loved the interactive class environment and the social aspect of the discussions and exchanges with my classmates. One of the challenging parts for me was fulfilling some credits that didn’t have to do with psychology or English. I had to push myself a bit more in certain classes such as statistics and research.

What skills do you think are important for success?

To really succeed and engage in the learning experience, you need to allow yourself to be present and vulnerable. Even though I was older than most of my classmates, it was valuable to understand that they all have their stories and none of us is better than anyone else. I learned a lot from everyone sharing their experiences. You also need a dose of humility because the professors get personal with you and it’s an important part of the process. I remember during our first class, our teacher asked how many of us had been to therapy before. At first, a few tentative hands went up until we realized it was most of the class. It was one of many important subjects we needed to acknowledge and discuss, and we all had to get comfortable with letting our guards down. These are also skills that translate into being an effective social worker since listening without judgment and having empathy toward others are both key aspects of the profession.

How much time do you spend on coursework outside of class?

It varies a lot between semesters. I would say the lightest coursework was during my second semester and the heaviest was during my third. It also depends on whether we have essay papers due or are studying for tests and finals, so it could be anywhere from 3 to 10 hours per week.

How does the schedule fit with your lifestyle?

It’s terrific to be able to attend a college that follows the Jewish calendar which makes that aspect of school easier. Another wonderful thing about Sara Schenirer is that they give you enough course options to customize the program according to your schedule. You can choose morning, afternoon, or evening classes; you can attend in person or over zoom; and you still have the flexibility to maintain a job and a personal life.

How would you describe the support you receive from Sara Schenirer staff and professors?

Sara Schenirer is so amazingly warm and the environment surpassed anything I was expecting. It is not bureaucratic at all, but rather a hands-on network of people who treat you like friends and family. There is a high level of personalized attention - your coordinator is always available, and phone calls and emails are answered fairly quickly. I came into the program with a high school diploma, but no college credits, and needed to complete a lot of Coopersmiths. I received so much guidance with the exams and they helped me apply the credits properly to ensure I graduated on time.

What advice would you give to new students starting out?

I'm basing this advice on something that helped many of my classmates, which is to brush up on your writing skills if that is something you struggle with. There is so much writing involved so it is important to practice and polish your writing.

I wish I would have known to start taking my Coopersmith tests before I even started the program. I’m sure there are a lot of people who check out the Sara Schenirer website and research the different degrees and are thinking about enrolling eventually. Personally, I was planning for the social work program for about a year before registering, and it would have been very helpful for me to take Coopersmiths and get some credits under my belt during this time. If students can take these beforehand, it will lessen the workload during the semesters.

What are your goals after earning your degree?

Now that I have my bachelor’s degree, I am continuing on to the master’s program and also starting an internship at a rehab clinic. I’m looking forward to my classes and gaining more in-depth knowledge about the field. I’m excited about my internship and feel that my undergraduate courses have prepared me to work in a clinical environment while also learning on the job. After I graduate, I plan to work as a social worker and eventually would like to go into private practice, although I don't yet know in which modality or demographic I prefer to specialize. I can very easily see myself continuing to work with children since I’ve been a teacher my entire adult life, which is actually why I asked to work with a different age group for my first internship. I hope to push myself out of my comfort zone and gain new and different experiences to help me become the best social worker I can be.