Bellingham, Washington, resident Ethan Freckleton returned to college after a two-year hiatus to join the family business and help make the world a better place.
“The decision to go back to school started during the pandemic,” he said. “My wife, Jennifer, has been a clinical social worker since 2015. She has a private practice in town. During the pandemic, she probably turned down 100 people because her practice was full.
“There were a lot of people who were supportive, but we had some things going on locally that were a bit upsetting. There was some upsetting stuff going on nationally, too. It felt like it was a good time to think about finally doing a master’s degree, and taking some action that would be tangible.”
Freckleton followed through by graduating from Boise State University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Online program in May 2026. He will soon join the Finding Center Counseling staff.
“Clinical social work has become the family business,” he said. “My license application is pending. Once the transcript with the degree conferment arrives at the Department of Health, I’ll be able to start meeting with my supervisor.”
After researching MSW online programs, Freckleton chose Boise State for its strong reputation in the field.
“I appreciated the accessibility of having an online MSW program, as there are no such programs geographically nearby,” he said. “There weren’t any programs closer than Seattle, which is a couple of hours’ drive.
“I took a good look at what the most popular, most reputable online social work schools were. Boise State had a good balance of what it offered and price.”
Although he attended school full-time, the online format made earning a degree mostly seamless.
“It was certainly accessible,” he said. “There were maybe two or three times during a semester when our classes met synchronously. There was a lot of schedule flexibility.”
Exceptional results
Freckleton was born in Los Angeles. Because his father was in the U.S. Navy, the family moved frequently before settling in Washington.
Originally enrolled at the University of Washington as an Applied and Computational Mathematics major nearly thirty years ago, he dropped out after receiving a job offer at Microsoft Corporation.
He worked in tech for two decades until 2018, when he decided to explore other careers before ultimately re-enrolling in college. He completed a Bachelor’s degree in English from Western Washington University in 2023.
“Prior to enrolling at Boise State, I had done some life coaching and was writing books,” he said. “I’ve written and published over a dozen works of fiction and non-fiction. Additionally, I’ve edited 25-plus published works (primarily fiction) for professional clients in multiple genres. I started writing my first one in 2017, but I started writing stories a year earlier.”
In 2018, he published a non-fiction book from a life coaching perspective titled The Change Habit: How to Make the Most of an Unexpected Transition.
“When I worked in software, somebody who used to work for me became a good friend,” he said. “They are a writer. They started blogging about story structure and craft. It made it seem accessible to me in a way that made sense to my brain.
“I don’t know how I could live without having something going on where I’m learning, growing and creating.”
As he prepared for his new career in the online MSW program, Freckleton especially enjoyed the first courses he took.
“There were a lot of good ones,” he said. “The first one, the Foundations of Social Work, and all of the foundation courses had that balance of broad but also tangible skill-building. It gives you a good appreciation of what’s going on [in the profession].
“All of the macro classes were interesting. The advanced generalist curriculum itself helped me appreciate the full breadth of the social work field. If ever I wish to change directions, I know that my degree gives me a lot of options.”
Ready, set, go!
Freckleton put the finishing touches on his accomplishment by walking the graduation stage at commencement.
“I was able to check out Boise for the first time,” he said. “It was great. It made it feel more real. The weather was perfect that week.”
Throughout his time in the program, Freckleton got plenty of encouragement from his family and friends.
“It made sense to everybody,” he said. “Luckily, the family was in a place to not just be supportive on an ideological level, but also practically, because my income took a pretty big hit.
“I was less available for family and friends, but I had good support. Without the patience and support of my wife and family, the journey to complete this degree would not have been possible.”
Now that he has a master’s degree, Freckleton is eager to hit the ground running by joining his wife in her career.
“After years of talking about the possibility, I get to finally join my wife’s private practice,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting. She has master’s degrees in education and social work.”
Freckleton knew he was in a good situation, being able to concentrate on school after enrolling at Boise State in January 2024.
“It’s good to do it with the support of family and friends from a practical level,” he said. “I was able to get good value out of it and manage my self-care and stress levels because I wasn’t working full-time.
“I would advise a reality check for anybody who’s thinking about doing it [full-time] while also working full-time.”
The online program offers flexible arrangements for those needing to enroll part-time.
Learn more about the social work program
Earning a Master of Social Work Online from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.
Frequently Asked Questions About MSW Online Programs
Is an MSW online worth it?
An MSW online can be worth it for students seeking flexible pathways into clinical social work, counseling and community services.
Can you become a licensed social worker with an MSW online degree?
Yes, accredited MSW online programs prepare students for licensure, though requirements vary by state.
What can you do with a Master of Social Work degree?
Graduates can work in clinical practice, counseling, healthcare, nonprofit organizations and community advocacy.