Fielding

[nj593]

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I was going to apply to Fielding for their PHD program which has a masters included into the program. Can anyone tell me if this route is a good objective. I would love to earn my PHD but I already have about 45k in student loans. Does it pay off in the end? Because this will be another 100k im sure in loans. Or should I just go the Masters route?
I hear that a masters level therapist only makes about 45k which after grad school would not be enough in the loans I would have.
Any input is appreciated.

To add: I would like to have my own practice one day and would like to work in a hospital setting. If that helps !

 

[progter]

this school is debated to death alrdy on these forums, use the search function to find your answer

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Considering your current debt and the amount of debt you would acrue at Fielding (easily $100k+), it is not advisable. Their attrition rate and years to completion are not good. Essentially a good portion of their students spend a lot of money only to leave without a degree, and those who do complete their degrees often take a significant amount of time (mean average is 9.1 years).

In regard to the cost:

Tuition
$22,365/year or $7,455/trimester term

Tuition is based on the number of days you are a student in the program. Tuition is reduced by 25-50% while you are participating in your internship, and an additional 30% once you reach the dissertation phase of the program (advancement to candidacy). This tuition rate is established for the Fall 2010, Spring 2011, and Summer 2011 terms.

Being very optimistic with the 9 years:
6 years of schooling: $134,190 (does not include tuition increases over the 6 years)
1 year of internship: $11,183 (assuming the full 50% off tuition)
2 years to finish your dissertation: $4473 (assuming the full 80% off tuition)
-----------------------------
Cost: $149,846.00 + Interest + Books + Fees + Travel costs for "seminars" + Housing, etc.

That is easily $200k+ and pretty much a decade of time to get a degree.

 

[PsychGraduate]

then you can arrange very low monthly payments and even additional debt forgiveness unless you live nearby a trad school or prefer trad uni's.

 

[aequitasveritas]

I was going to apply to Fielding for their PHD program which has a masters included into the program. Can anyone tell me if this route is a good objective. I would love to earn my PHD but I already have about 45k in student loans. Does it pay off in the end? Because this will be another 100k im sure in loans. Or should I just go the Masters route?
I hear that a masters level therapist only makes about 45k which after grad school would not be enough in the loans I would have.
Any input is appreciated.

To add: I would like to have my own practice one day and would like to work in a hospital setting. If that helps !

I don't want to start another debate here that will just end up like the others surrounding online unis Just put some serious serious serious thought into what you're contemplating. You should also be in therapy before you enter into grad school in my opinion. Reason: i've seen many people essentially "find out" about themselves and then lose all that altruistic steam that they once projected.

Most importantly, when it comes to loans...just say no😡 That's a mortgage for a lifetime. Who knows; maybe you have a husband who pays for everything etc etc. But if ya don't....hope u don't want a house any time soon😱 cuz ur loan principle will kill ur chances of being approved or being able to make payments.

T4Cs estimate was conservative in my opinion. Ur probably going to take on living expense loans....so lets call it 230k. Good luck.

 

[Neuropsych2be]

I was going to apply to Fielding for their PHD program which has a masters included into the program. Can anyone tell me if this route is a good objective. I would love to earn my PHD but I already have about 45k in student loans. Does it pay off in the end? Because this will be another 100k im sure in loans. Or should I just go the Masters route?
I hear that a masters level therapist only makes about 45k which after grad school would not be enough in the loans I would have.
Any input is appreciated.

To add: I would like to have my own practice one day and would like to work in a hospital setting. If that helps !

I am a Fielding student who is very happy with the program. It is NOT online. But you need to think very carefully before you consider Fielding due to its expense. If you are a younger grad student, say under or around 30, I would recommend that you pursue a funded Ph.D. program. For me, Fielding made more financial sense since I am older and already have an established career. I would have taken a HUGE annual cut in pay to attend a "funded" Ph.D. in a traditional program So multiplying that lost income across 6 -7 years, it made more sense for me to do Fielding. I'd say for the majority of the Fielding student body, that is the case since most of us are middle-aged mid-career professionals. It is most certainly not an easy program and can be very grueling. You also have to consider whether you fit the learning model. At times it seems like a grand John Dewey project in student-centered education and that can be problematic at times.