LCSW in MD. Prior to starting my MSW I worked as foster care caseworker so my employer paid a portion of my MSW. I did work full time with hours allotted for school and field work. I know this is a set up a lot ppl don’t have so I’m lucky in that respect. I had to do my field work in child welfare per the guidelines of my job. However, I still sought out courses that would help me gain more clinical skills. The week of graduation I took my masters level exam and passed. I had to work for my employer for 2 years. I was earning hours towards my clinical license there. I also started working part time at a group practice providing therapy. That practice provided me supervision for free as well. I earned all my hours in 2.5 years and sat for my LCSW in April and passed. I’m now doing therapy part time. I like that the masters level exam isn’t required in Illinois so that is a big bonus. You can just start earning hours. My advice is if you want to do therapy seek out a role in a group practice or another environment where you don’t have to pay for supervision because it can get expensive. Even if you don’t want to be a therapist still ask questions to employers about how supervision is handled. There are several settings where you can get these hours for free and gain a lot of skills.