Distance Learning Master's in Psych-any insight? (bachelors, PsyD, doctorate, degrees)

[debbee]

Hi,

I'm considering University of Phoenix distance learning to obtain a MS in general Psychology. I currently have BA in psych which doesn't make me very marketable. Has anyone completed a MS in Psych through UOP or any other distance program? If so what are you doing with your degree?

Need to get a real job that can start paying back a huge student loan!

Thanks

[sablebaby]

Don't go through UOP. They do NOT have a good reputation for being a good school. Some companies are refusing degrees from there, so that shows how well they are not!

I did one year at Capella University and found it to be a good school. It was challenging! It was the PsyD in Clinical Psych. I already have a Masters in Counseling. After a year of the doctorate I decided to stop and get real experience and I'm very glad I did.

What are your plans for a career? Generally, a gen. psych degree won't do much for you (even if a Masters). If you want to counsel then you need a counseling degree with an internship. Also, realize that this field pays nothing as compared to other fields, even with a masters. I know I started out a few years ago at $32,500 when I got my MA! You REALLY have to want to be in this field. Oh yeah, you mentioned a HUGE student loan and making real money. Ha! I owe $100k and can't pay them back with what I make.

I'd recommend getting a job in the field at the BA level, such as a case manager for a mental health agency, to see what it's like. It will help you tremendously with experience and to see if it's your cup of tea.

[Padgett2]

I'll agree on that. If you are seeking employment where a Masters is needed, it's doubtful that they would look favorably on one from the Univ. of Phoenix. No only that, they might even think that you were someone that took the easy way out.

Do you live near an University where you could take the courses needed on a part time basis while you worked? That's what is often done. It takes longer, but it can be done. It also allows those that have insight on what jobs are available to get to know you.

[dgz]

I'm just a few classes away from completing my Master's degree at Capella, and I like it too. I've found it to be a good challenge as well.

I had looked at UOP, but after speaking with a colleague in a Master's program there, I decided not to pursue UOP. Now this was about 2 years ago (and so things may have changed), but he said that many of his classes had projects that were very collaborative, but in a bad way. They would get into groups to work on a project and one or two people would do most of the project, with everyone else just tagging along.

Whereas at Capella, we will occasionally have a short collaborative project, but in every course, most of the work and the major course project is completed independently by each participant (with lots of communication with other participants in the discussion areas).

Originally Posted by sablebaby

Don't go through UOP. They do NOT have a good reputation for being a good school. Some companies are refusing degrees from there, so that shows how well they are not!

I did one year at Capella University and found it to be a good school. It was challenging! It was the PsyD in Clinical Psych. I already have a Masters in Counseling. After a year of the doctorate I decided to stop and get real experience and I'm very glad I did.

What are your plans for a career? Generally, a gen. psych degree won't do much for you (even if a Masters). If you want to counsel then you need a counseling degree with an internship. Also, realize that this field pays nothing as compared to other fields, even with a masters. I know I started out a few years ago at $32,500 when I got my MA! You REALLY have to want to be in this field. Oh yeah, you mentioned a HUGE student loan and making real money. Ha! I owe $100k and can't pay them back with what I make.

I'd recommend getting a job in the field at the BA level, such as a case manager for a mental health agency, to see what it's like. It will help you tremendously with experience and to see if it's your cup of tea.

[debbee]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

Don't go through UOP. They do NOT have a good reputation for being a good school. Some companies are refusing degrees from there, so that shows how well they are not!

I did one year at Capella University and found it to be a good school. It was challenging! It was the PsyD in Clinical Psych. I already have a Masters in Counseling. After a year of the doctorate I decided to stop and get real experience and I'm very glad I did.

What are your plans for a career? Generally, a gen. psych degree won't do much for you (even if a Masters). If you want to counsel then you need a counseling degree with an internship. Also, realize that this field pays nothing as compared to other fields, even with a masters. I know I started out a few years ago at $32,500 when I got my MA! You REALLY have to want to be in this field. Oh yeah, you mentioned a HUGE student loan and making real money. Ha! I owe $100k and can't pay them back with what I make.

I'd recommend getting a job in the field at the BA level, such as a case manager for a mental health agency, to see what it's like. It will help you tremendously with experience and to see if it's your cup of tea.

Thanks for the insight here about school, online and so forth. I have seen Capella. I find that pretty incredible that you're not making enough with your MA for the college costs! After all that hard work your brain is worth more than the amount being payed.

You're right I should just try to get a job with the BA degree I hold and see where that leads and if that's where I want to be. I didn't realize I could get a job with a BA even though limited, most people have told me I need to go on and get a MA or higher to work in the field.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by debbee

Thanks for the insight here about school, online and so forth. I have seen Capella. I find that pretty incredible that you're not making enough with your MA for the college costs! After all that hard work your brain is worth more than the amount being payed.

You're right I should just try to get a job with the BA degree I hold and see where that leads and if that's where I want to be. I didn't realize I could get a job with a BA even though limited, most people have told me I need to go on and get a MA or higher to work in the field.

Yeah, the money is NOT good in the beginning. If you want to be a therapist you can make a few extra bucks working in private practice. I checked out other cities for pay and it looked as if Chicago, with it's higher cost of living, was the same as Phx. So, that tells you something.

I don't know where you live, but there should be mental health agencies where most of the employees should only have a BA. Usually, they are case managers or case workers. I did that for a while at a couple different places, including a domestic violence shelter. I gained so much for working those jobs. You get a lot of the lingo down and a better understanding of the clients you want to work with. Good luck!

[leny32]

I recently registered to take courses with UOP and it's becoming a headache. I just started the first class and it's too much reading. I have my bachelors in behavioral science, i was also working on the Master Psychology and the professor appears to be rude with his responds and sometimes the system is down so we can post for two days.


Is anyone familiar with any other online courses in the psychology or social work aspect.
I am looking to relocate and my experience is social services.

[jessiegirl_98]

I'm almost done with my Ph.D. in clinical psych and here are my two cents:

some places that generally higher with a BA: prisons (I work in one and love it!), residential treatment centers, DV shelters, state child welfare systems, some general hospitals

getting an MA online (or MS): don't do it! It is not looked favorably upon and you need practical experience as part of your degree. I would go for a more traditional program. Also, if you are SOLELY, wanting to do clinical work and don't want to do the PhD., I would suggest an MSW. They are much more marketable that MA/MS level psychologists.

When choosing any program: find out where their graduates are. What are they doing now? How much do they make? What percent are employed in the field of study within 6 months of graduating?

I'd be happy to answer any questions about MA/Ph.D's etc in psych. Just feel free to send me a PM.

[debbee]

Thanks for sharing your experience. UOP is still calling me. I
don't think I want to enroll with them after learning all of this!

[debbee]

What specific work could you do in a general hospital with a BA in Psych?