to stop at PGDip or push on to Masters; is it worth it?

[RoobyMurray]

I'm doing the social work masters and I could either finish in July with a PGDiploma or push on to September, do a dissertation and come out with a Masters (hopefully).

I signed up for a masters, but now I'm wondering if it's worth the extra stress when I could be working as a SW without it...

Anyone else had a similar decision to make?

What were your reasons for signing up for it in the first place ?? Do they still apply?

Not social work, but related field. I stopped at a PG Dip, but have the option of doing a dissertation and making it a MSc any time in the next 3 years. Is there a similar option for you?

I was knackered by the PG Dip, to be honest (I'm assumig mine was similae to yours in that it involves placements and endless reflective practice etc etc - hard going!) and knew I could practice with it as a stand alone qualification.
I will only make it a Masters when I can find something in the field that I am passionate enough about to write 20,000 words on! I suppose if there is a particular area of SW you are interested in you could gear your dissertation towards that and it might help you get a job in that area?

Not SW either, but I had a similar decision to make 15 years ago. I stopped at PG Dip mostly because I got offered a job and had to start straightaway. I had the option to convert later on and actually contacted the dept to say I was thinking about it as I was somewhat under-stretched in my job and had time on my hands (those were the days!). The then head of the dept advised me I'd be better off trying to get something published if I could -which was remarkably honest of her. And she turned out to be right because - and I never anticipated this at the time - I've actually just returned to the same dept to do a PhD and managed to get AHRC funding without a masters, on the strength partly of the publications I managed to get out of that first job. Not sure how relevant that is to you. But I suppose my point is that there are other things you could put your energies into that might be more beneficial longer term?

Yes do it. I didn't, stopped at the PGD, and always regretted it.

Thanks for your replies.

My main reason for signing up originally was a career progression, i.e. to practice at a higher level (and better pay). That still stands and I can do that with a PGDip. From asking around, it seems it wouldn't greatly affect my employability.

Betcha, yes, full-time placement, plus essays, plus kids, partner working away and ill family member. All of which are making me dread school holidays and dissertation.

Belgo, why do you regret it?

Because no-one knows the what a PGDIp is. Especially not in Belgium, where it is not even considered to be Bachelor level, everyone thinks it's a basic undergraduate diploma.

Everyone knows what a Master's is.

That's not true for certain vocational PGDips like SW or YW, where they are the industry standard qualification.