NEED HELP: Distance Learning PGSP

[gmeshckthrpy]

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Hi,
I just finished my BA in Psych and want to obtain a MS so that I can teach at the undergrad level. I intend to transfer into a Ph.D program eventually.

I'm applying to PGSP for their distance learning program. My questions are:
-How do quater units transfer compared to credits (the program is 39)
-Can one teach with this degree?
-Any recommendations of other online MS Psych programs?

Thanks in advance!

 

[gmeshckthrpy]

*MOD NOTE: We do not allow cross-posting of the same topic, so I merged your thread from the MA/MS forum into this one. -t*

 

[RayneeDeigh]

What do you mean by "teach"? My high-school Psychology teacher had an MA in psych but you'll likely have trouble teaching at the University level unless you're a sessional instructor or something.

Also, be careful about assuming that your credits will transfer. Some schools don't like to transfer many credits because it means they're losing out on the tuition. It's likely that something will transfer but probably not all.

 

[gmeshckthrpy]

I'm interested in teaching undergrad courses (with the MS) locally via community colleges and distance learning. We're down south now and I had spoke to UCF which is pretty open with accepting transfer credits. I wasn't clear though as to how "quater units" transfer in terms of regular credits. 39 seemed like a low number of credits for a Masters (PGSP), but I wasn't sure? Is it plausible to be able to teach with this? If you have any suggestions, feel free to throw them my way. Thanks

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Just a note about transfer credits....it is tough to get most schools to waive it, unless the syllabi match up and it comes from an equivalent program. Because of APA-accreditation standards, there usually isn't a lot of flexibility in waiving more than a couple classes. As an institution I wouldn't want someone coming in with a bunch of classes because they may have been trained differently, and that could pose a problem down the line and/or leave gaps in their training....which I wouldn't want to be left to fix.

-t

 

[razzled]

transferring credits can be really difficult, especially if you are trying to substitute an online course for one taught in a classroom. Also, to my knowledge, it is possible you could be a lecturer with a master's degree depending on where you want to teach.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Also, to my knowledge, it is possible you could be a lecturer with a master's degree depending on where you want to teach.

I've seen this before, though it seems that most MS lecturers were still on their way to doctorates. I've seen MS lecturers in Social Work, though I'm not sure about psychology specific programs.

-t

 

[Marissa4usa]

I attended a community college for a while and most professors there only had a masters degree of some sort.

 

[paramour]

Yes, you can technically teach with a master's degree. I taught an undergrad class at a university for a while but I was one of a select few (maybe 2/3?) as all other adjuncts still had a PhD. Individuals allowed to teach with "only" a master's were typically people the department already knew because we had obtained our degrees there, completed special teaching "seminars" previously, and were well recommended by multiple professors on staff. Teaching at a community/technical college would probably be an easier route but even that's not guaranteed as I've seen some that also require a doctorate for their instructors. It simply depends upon what you're going to teach and where you want to teach at.

Transferring courses is a b*tch. Many programs will not do it at all, whereas others will "possibly consider" it. If they do, you will be lucky to have a couple of your master's classes transfer, even if they do overlap with the doctoral program's offerings. Be prepared to retake classes. Three of my courses this semester appear to be duplicates of ones that I have taken previously.

What is your reason for wanting to pursue a master's degree if you know that you wish to go into a doctoral program eventually? Just to kill time? To show you can do the coursework? I honestly wouldn't recommend it unless you have a semi-decent reason for doing so. And, yes, they do exist (although some will argue otherwise). Your time might be better served working in a research lab somewhere rather than wasting a large lump of money on an online master's degree for a teaching job.

Buuut, then again, 'tis just my thoughts on the matter with the informaion provided thus far. Do what is best for you.

G'luck!

 

[73BARMYPgsp]

I guess I have to chime in, since I go there (PGSP). The online portion of the DL degree at PGSP is:

1. Not supposed to be a terminal Masters because it qualifies you to do nothing more than flip burgers and discuss how the burgers might feel about it.
2. Made up of the core curriculum of what is supposed to be your PhD. (Psychopathology, Diagnoses, Research Methods, Stats, Psychopharm--that sort of thing). It is assumed that you are continuing at PGSP, so transferring is not really contemplated.

I am also pretty sure it's not 39 units. Are you sure you are reading that right?

When I was done with the MS part of the program (the traditional way) I had something like 96 units completed.