Found a distance PhD in USA

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marcomarco

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Hi, I found this distance PhD in USA; this is the link to their page -->Home
I'm not familiar with the US system and I wanted to know, if in your opinion this is a serious school and not a diploma mill of some sort,
Many thanks!
maarc
 
Hi, I found this distance PhD in USA; this is the link to their page -->Home
I'm not familiar with the US system and I wanted to know, if in your opinion this is a serious school and not a diploma mill of some sort,
Many thanks!
maarc
Effective training in health service psychology is not accomplished via distance. I didn't know what this program was about prior to clicking on it, but when the first thing on their page is an ad for CE's at $200 a pop, it's clear what they're about. This is not a graduate program in clinical/counseling psychology. I would hardly even call it good enough to be a diploma mill, frankly.

Skip it.
 
I didn't even know that there was an American Board of Sexology, wow. I see some marketers have found a new way to steal people's money. This is not a licensed profession, so I guess they can say and do whatever they want, kind of like life coaches. Perhaps they can all find jobs on Betterhelp for $20 a session.

Yeah, save your money.
 
From their website: "Dissertations can seem scary" and "Accreditation by a U.S. DoE entity is not necessary as this degree does not lead to a license"

Also, one of their testimonial folks lists all these credentials: "PhD, LMHC, LPCC, LPC, CST, CAP"

Instructors all seemed to be licensed at MA level, but use the "Dr." title in reference to clinical work, which is a bit shady. Many seem to have received their doctoral degrees from this same school.

Lots of red flags
 
Let's just say.....
 

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This web site is hilarious.


What can I do with a PhD in sexology?


The majority of our graduates are therapists, so their degree allows them to specialize in the field of sex therapy and use the title “Dr.”
It's just asking for licensing boards to come down on your for deceiving the public into thinking they were seeing a licensed psychologist instead of licensed mid-level with a vanity degree.
 
Thanks for replying. I'm already a licensed psychotherapist in Europe. So at this point, I don't need any licensing. Still, I don't understand how can a school give a PhD. Here PhD are given by universities, that's why to me it sounded strange. I must tell you that I checked on the Florida department of education website and it seems that they recognize this institute. Well, I'm a bit confused. 🙁
 
From their website: "Dissertations can seem scary" and "Accreditation by a U.S. DoE entity is not necessary as this degree does not lead to a license"

Also, one of their testimonial folks lists all these credentials: "PhD, LMHC, LPCC, LPC, CST, CAP"

Instructors all seemed to be licensed at MA level, but use the "Dr." title in reference to clinical work, which is a bit shady. Many seem to have received their doctoral degrees from this same school.

Lots of red flags
Plus, what is "an accreditation U.S. DoE entity"?
 
Plus, what is "an accreditation U.S. DoE entity"?

DoE is the Department of Education. So they are not accredited by any body that teh DoE says can accredit programs.

And yeah, don't get this certificate. I see things like this all the time with therapists, in other "specialty" areas. These become people I never refer patients out to ever again.
 
DoE is the Department of Education. So they are not accredited by any body that teh DoE says can accredit programs.

And yeah, don't get this certificate. I see things like this all the time with therapists, in other "specialty" areas. These become people I never refer patients out to ever again.
I see, how does it work in the US? how many departments of educations you have? I thought there was one in each state. I didn't know about a higher department of education. So the accreditation they claim in Florida has zero value.
 
I see, how does it work in the US? how many departments of educations you have? I thought there was one in each state. I didn't know about a higher department of education. So the accreditation they claim in Florida has zero value.
There are DOEs at both the state and federal (national) level. Additional, there are regional educztional accreditation agencies, as well professional groups (such as thecAPA) that also accreditation specific types of programs. It's all very confusing, and some programs use that confusion to mislead applicants.

On another note, take a look at this place's course catalogue. Most classes are taught by someone who doesn't appear to be credentialed at the MA level. She lists a "coach and counselor" accrediting body that doesn't seem to have a website or web presence. She is, however, an "initiated shaman in four disciplines." There is a "classroom" (singular) address listed, and it appears to be located at a either a place where they do cooking classes or a dojo. It really does come off as a goof.
 
Eh, yes indeed it's quite confusing. Since we are on the topic, any possibility to attend a Ph.D. path at distance (maybe commuting every xxx months)? Thanks for your patience and explanations!
 
There are DOEs at both the state and federal (national) level. Additional, there are regional educztional accreditation agencies, as well professional groups (such as thecAPA) that also accreditation specific types of programs. It's all very confusing, and some programs use that confusion to mislead applicants.

On another note, take a look at this place's course catalogue. Most classes are taught by someone who doesn't appear to be credentialed at the MA level. She lists a "coach and counselor" accrediting body that doesn't seem to have a website or web presence. She is, however, an "initiated shaman in four disciplines." There is a "classroom" (singular) address listed, and it appears to be located at a either a place where they do cooking classes or a dojo. It really does come off as a goof.
Initiated shaman in four disciplines? Sounds like they took this from Avatar: The Last Airbender
 
I see, how does it work in the US? how many departments of educations you have? I thought there was one in each state. I didn't know about a higher department of education. So the accreditation they claim in Florida has zero value.

I. Degree granting

1. PhDs are granted by Universities.
2. There are some PsyDs that are granted by specialized schools.

II. Federal Accreditation of the school.

1. The federal Dept of Education accredits some schools.
a. There are some screwball schools that are not accredited. These are often religious places, because America.
b.
2. Higher education is typically funded by loans and grants that are given out by the federal government.
3. The federal government will not provide funding for places that are not accredited by the DoE.

III. State Accreditation

1. Universities have banded together into approximately 5 regional groups.
2. These groups have NOTHING to do with the government.
3. The regional groups basically get together and agree that university X is "real", while Trump University is not.
4. The regional groups have no real power.
5. Florida is a weird state, that accredits things that no one else does. If you watched the Joe Exotic documentary, you will notice the drug dealer guy is licensed to own a ton of tigers.... because Florida.

IV. APA Accreditation

1. The APA accredits programs.
2. Most state license boards require you to complete an APA approved program, or something identical to an APA program.
3. Because of those laws, it can be risky to go to a non APA approved program.
4. APA requires a specific curriculum, then a minimum of 2 years of part time practice that is supervised by a licensed psychologist (i.e., practica), followed by a formal year long, full time supervised internship that is administered through a formal program.
5. In your final year of training, students apply to that year long internship via a national matching service. It HAS to be that service. Students' applications are reviewed by various training locations, then are interviewed, then they rank which place they prefer. After all of that is done, there is a single day where students are notified about where they are going. It is almost always in another location.

V. Licensing/Laws

1. After you complete a program that meets the legal requirements, you have to:

a. take a national test
b. complete another year long, supervised, full time job/post doc
c. complete an application to practice, in your specific state
d. potentially complete an open book test on laws
e. potentially complete an oral examination

The above all vary by state.

V. Your Question (assuming you are attempting to immigrate)

1. If you are attempting to immigrate, this plan will not be sufficient. If you are from a non-English or Spanish speaking location, it might be much more difficult.
2. The various states' psychology licensing boards will expect you to complete the two years of supervised work inside the USA, followed by another year of supervised work in the USA that HAS to be administered by the matching service.
3. So, there is ONE program that does distance education that would meet your standards (i.e., Fielding University). It is not well regarded by most, and has many problems.
4. There are several other schools that will not lead to you being able to work as a psychologist. Beware of statements like, "...may be able to get licensed".
5. Assuming you went to that school, you would still need to complete 2 years of part time practica. Your supervisor would have to be licensed in the USA for that to work. I don't know how you would do that by flying in every now and then.
6. You would also need to complete the year long internship, and a year long post doc. Again, I don't know how that meets your requirements for flying in every now and then.
7. IIRC, there would likely be visa issues. Students are paid for internship and post doc, which I assume affects student visa status. But maybe not.
 
I. Degree granting

1. PhDs are granted by Universities.
2. There are some PsyDs that are granted by specialized schools.

II. Federal Accreditation of the school.

1. The federal Dept of Education accredits some schools.
a. There are some screwball schools that are not accredited. These are often religious places, because America.
b.
2. Higher education is typically funded by loans and grants that are given out by the federal government.
3. The federal government will not provide funding for places that are not accredited by the DoE.

III. State Accreditation

1. Universities have banded together into approximately 5 regional groups.
2. These groups have NOTHING to do with the government.
3. The regional groups basically get together and agree that university X is "real", while Trump University is not.
4. The regional groups have no real power.
5. Florida is a weird state, that accredits things that no one else does. If you watched the Joe Exotic documentary, you will notice the drug dealer guy is licensed to own a ton of tigers.... because Florida.

IV. APA Accreditation

1. The APA accredits programs.
2. Most state license boards require you to complete an APA approved program, or something identical to an APA program.
3. Because of those laws, it can be risky to go to a non APA approved program.
4. APA requires a specific curriculum, then a minimum of 2 years of part time practice that is supervised by a licensed psychologist (i.e., practica), followed by a formal year long, full time supervised internship that is administered through a formal program.
5. In your final year of training, students apply to that year long internship via a national matching service. It HAS to be that service. Students' applications are reviewed by various training locations, then are interviewed, then they rank which place they prefer. After all of that is done, there is a single day where students are notified about where they are going. It is almost always in another location.

V. Licensing/Laws

1. After you complete a program that meets the legal requirements, you have to:

a. take a national test
b. complete another year long, supervised, full time job/post doc
c. complete an application to practice, in your specific state
d. potentially complete an open book test on laws
e. potentially complete an oral examination

The above all vary by state.

V. Your Question (assuming you are attempting to immigrate)

1. If you are attempting to immigrate, this plan will not be sufficient. If you are from a non-English or Spanish speaking location, it might be much more difficult.
2. The various states' psychology licensing boards will expect you to complete the two years of supervised work inside the USA, followed by another year of supervised work in the USA that HAS to be administered by the matching service.
3. So, there is ONE program that does distance education that would meet your standards (i.e., Fielding University). It is not well regarded by most, and has many problems.
4. There are several other schools that will not lead to you being able to work as a psychologist. Beware of statements like, "...may be able to get licensed".
5. Assuming you went to that school, you would still need to complete 2 years of part time practica. Your supervisor would have to be licensed in the USA for that to work. I don't know how you would do that by flying in every now and then.
6. You would also need to complete the year long internship, and a year long post doc. Again, I don't know how that meets your requirements for flying in every now and then.
7. IIRC, there would likely be visa issues. Students are paid for internship and post doc, which I assume affects student visa status. But maybe not.
Thanks for the long and articulated reply. Very interesting and similar to what happens here in Italy. I mean here it's less messed up because we only have one state (and universities are authorized at the state level) and after the Bachelor+Master+4 years' specialization school and after at least two supervised internships and one state exam you are officially licensed.
Anyhow, my interest is not to work in the US (even if I work remotely with people who live in the US). My idea was to do a PhD just because I wanted to research in a recognized path. Since I'm working full time, and to do a PhD here is almost impossible (in my country every year there are few positions open, like three every 1000 students), I wanted to enroll in a program that I could do from here or commuting from time to time. Unfortunately from what you say it seems impossible. Not to mention that I checked prices and are quite high (compared to Europe where PhDs are sometimes free, sometimes you get paid and sometimes they cost 2-5 k euro a year).
 
Thanks for the long and articulated reply. Very interesting and similar to what happens here in Italy. I mean here it's less messed up because we only have one state (and universities are authorized at the state level) and after the Bachelor+Master+4 years' specialization school and after at least two supervised internships and one state exam you are officially licensed.
Anyhow, my interest is not to work in the US (even if I work remotely with people who live in the US). My idea was to do a PhD just because I wanted to research in a recognized path. Since I'm working full time, and to do a PhD here is almost impossible (in my country every year there are few positions open, like three every 1000 students), I wanted to enroll in a program that I could do from here or commuting from time to time. Unfortunately from what you say it seems impossible. Not to mention that I checked prices and are quite high (compared to Europe where PhDs are sometimes free, sometimes you get paid and sometimes they cost 2-5 k euro a year).

Then you want to look towards the Netherlands and the UK. Both have such programs.
 
This is interesting:

DO I NEED TO ATTEND IN PERSON?
The entire program may be taken via live webinar, in person, or combination of both.
There are two attendance track options: Every Saturday or 5 days on alternate months.
You may begin the Clinical Sexology Education at any time. We have open enrollment.


HOW MUCH TIME WILL IT TAKE?
The educational portion of the program may be completed in one year and you have two years from time of registration to complete your Dissertation/Doctoral Project. You may request an extension if needed. There is no additional charge for this.
 
This is interesting:

DO I NEED TO ATTEND IN PERSON?
The entire program may be taken via live webinar, in person, or combination of both.
There are two attendance track options: Every Saturday or 5 days on alternate months.
You may begin the Clinical Sexology Education at any time. We have open enrollment.


HOW MUCH TIME WILL IT TAKE?
The educational portion of the program may be completed in one year and you have two years from time of registration to complete your Dissertation/Doctoral Project. You may request an extension if needed. There is no additional charge for this.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, not everyone can become a sexologist. It takes two weekends of training.
 
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