Masters in School Psychology or Ph.D in Special Education/Educational Psychology (PhD, masters degree)
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Hi everyone,
I need some help. I am currently in a M.Ed program in Special Education in northern Virginia, I will finish this program in the summer of '09. I want to go on after that to either do another Master of Arts degree in School psychology or a Ph.D program in either Special Ed or Educational Psychology.
The masters in school psych will be a total of 63 credits (about 3 years including internship) and the Ph.D program is between 55 and 65 credits (about 2.5 -3 years). Another problem that Im having in deciding is because most school psychology programs are full time during the day, which does not allow for a full time day job, and I want to keep working as a teacher while I attend the program. I would like to go for the Ph.D but Im worried because it does not result in a 'specialized' career such as a school psychologist, but it would get more into a leadership role in special ed. and/or I could work as a professor in a university in the future (which I like because it would give more options for the future).
I know this is a long post, but if anyone of you has advice for me I would greatly appreciate your insight!
Thank you so much
Wow that is a long time for a MA versus a short time compared to PhD, I would go for the PhD but the question does boil down to what you can do with it and what you want to do with it. I am finishing my Masters in Social Science in a few months and wanted to attend a PhD in American history but found out that there are more PhDs in American history than there are jobs, otherwise PhD jobs pay 60,000-90,000 in archaeological/historical/professor/government position with PhD. Also the span of History PhDs are usually 5-10 years so I had to take that into consideration. I decided to finish my MA look for either a social work or junior college profession which probably would not pay much $30,000-$40,000 but still having time to work on my own lil business which would give me an extra income anywhere from $10,000-$40,000 a year on the side thus an ideal situation would having me do what I want to do and making almost the same amount of money. Hope this helps, good luck!
The program Im in now allows me to work as a special ed teacher under a provisional license while I finish the program, so Im hoping to get a teaching job this fall. Here in Northern VA I will be making about 50,000 when I finish my Masters, so the pay is pretty good for a teacher, but I feel that I do not want to stay in a teaching position for very long, maybe a few years at most. Thats why I wanted to continue either in a Ph.D program to progress into a leadership position in special ed...or...find a school psychology program that will let me work as a teacher while attending (which is proving hard to find).
Both positions are very desirable with schools right now. However, I think with the school psychologist position you could make more money, and also have more flexibility.
Both positions are very desirable with schools right now. However, I think with the school psychologist position you could make more money, and also have more flexibility.
Yes, that is the direction I am leaning towards. From what I have researched, school psychologists typically earn about 10,000 more than what a teacher would make at the same level. The only problem Im having is finding a program that would allow me to work full time during the day (that is in a geographical area I would want to live in).
Thank you so much for your insight I will be looking for more programs!
Wow...I am having a similar delemna! I would like to get my Masters & have been thinking of getting it in School Psychology...my problem is that the programs say I can't work while I'm in the program. I am a single mom of 3 kids...so income is pretty vital. So I feel like I'm stuck! Any words of wisdom? Ultimately I need to do something that will pay me enough to support my family. I'm currently a Reading Specialist at a private school (not great pay). I would love to stay in the Education field, but NOT teach in a classroom. I'd love to hear your thoughts/ideas. Thanks to any & all!
Hi everyone,
I need some help. I am currently in a M.Ed program in Special Education in northern Virginia, I will finish this program in the summer of '09. I want to go on after that to either do another Master of Arts degree in School psychology or a Ph.D program in either Special Ed or Educational Psychology.
In short I agree with RangerDuke08.
I am aware of some schools that permit "overlapping" credits to obtain a degree or two and believe those schools promote excellent education but I was informed I could not go that route. My school did not permit the linking of my Masters credits to new Masters degree. I understand that 30 credits of each MA, MBA or MS or M.Ed degree can be swapped or shared in some schools but I did not have that opportunity..
My boss survived working and actually achieving 2 Masters degrees and a PhD. He was permitted to achieve two degrees on the same level and he swapped 30 credits to each of his Masters degrees.
I was a school junkie but stopped my Ph.D degree a year short because I simply discovered that my Quality of Life after a Ph.D would not be what I planned and money became an issue with no grants or help. I was originally quoted to earn $92k a year with 15 years experience.. Two years later the Upward Mobility Program I was enrolled fell short of unwritten promises due to our corporate slowdown. I was quoted $60k a year to start. So presently making $72k a year to $60k didn't make sense.
Economic standards shift constanly. We all know that change is good but the meltdowns in corporations once thought to be Blue Chips make our educational achievements and beliefs a real drag...What about training a person your job then the same person gets an $84k job that you have worked so hard to be in the package. This person has no education and no experience and I discovered this person was promoted just so the business achieves their quota.....
Here are my suggestions:
I would like to suggest that you get your Ph.D but take a closer look at how the degree will support your long term goals... I am halfway though writing a book so that is my way to learn current world views what I would have loved to do. I still am learning and maybe be able to publish my book in a year....
I am unsure of the requirements in the Ph.D degreee you are pondering but take extra courses or volunteer your education that can link your goal as a Special Ed/Ed Psychology job further to include the Psychologist positions that would help our military Veterans and Troops. Nationwide positions are available on USAJOBS.com ....What about teaching online and going to the same school that you are teaching? Just a suggestion that can do from home and earn extra.
Hi everyone,
I need some help. I am currently in a M.Ed program in Special Education in northern Virginia, I will finish this program in the summer of '09. I want to go on after that to either do another Master of Arts degree in School psychology or a Ph.D program in either Special Ed or Educational Psychology.
The masters in school psych will be a total of 63 credits (about 3 years including internship) and the Ph.D program is between 55 and 65 credits (about 2.5 -3 years). Another problem that Im having in deciding is because most school psychology programs are full time during the day, which does not allow for a full time day job, and I want to keep working as a teacher while I attend the program. I would like to go for the Ph.D but Im worried because it does not result in a 'specialized' career such as a school psychologist, but it would get more into a leadership role in special ed. and/or I could work as a professor in a university in the future (which I like because it would give more options for the future).
I know this is a long post, but if anyone of you has advice for me I would greatly appreciate your insight!
Thank you so much
Hello, hopefully you get this soon.
I'm currently completing a masters program in school psychology at california state university los angeles. I'm starting my internship year this week actually, I'll be done June of 2010. CSULA is great because it has a great program with a lot of excellent professors. It is also relatively cheap compared to other universities. It also allows you to complete your coursework in the evenings, actually only in the evenings. Classes are from 4:20-8pm in the evening, usually mon-thursday. It's a three year program with a specific order of classes that you are required to take. There are about 20 students accepted into the program every year and it is a nationally accredited program by NASP, National Association of School Psychologists.
For the first two years of coursework you are able to work basically a full time job. In my year of 20 students, we had a speech pathologist, a special education teacher, and 4 general ed teachers completing their program requirements while still holding a full-time job. Please contact me with questions if you have any.
Camilo
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I am currently in a M.Ed program in Special Education in northern Virginia, I will finish this program in the summer of '09. I want to go on after that to either do another Master of Arts degree in School psychology or a Ph.D program in either Special Ed or Educational Psychology. 
School Psychology Masters
