Online Masters to PhD

[Raijah03]

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Has anyone received a master's degree or bachelor's degree from an online school, and gained admission to a traditional brick and mortar PhD in psychology program? If so, can you describe the process, and any possible circumstances that assisted you in gaining admission?

 

[WisNeuro]

Biggest hindrance to this method aside from reputation of most online schools, is lack of meaningful research experience. Either of those issues alone is a kiss of death in an application, together, it's definitely an Everest to climb.

 

[Justanothergrad]

I weight those programs similarly to if the student does not have them at all (i.e., experiences are not counted) because of low reputation and poor oversight. Publications from that time still are considered. this isnt what you asked but wanted to share.

 

[Temperance]

I know someone who had a master's degree from an online university and went on to do a master's degree in the same field at a brick-and-mortar institution before going to a doctoral program. My suggestion would be to not do the online master's program.

 

[PsyDr]

Let's put aside all of the issues with prestige, lab work access, and other applicants' competing with better credentials.

This is a slippery slope. People get more established over time. Barriers to physical attendance tend to get more entrenched, not less. It usually gets harder to break out, not easier.

 

[psych.meout]

Let's put aside all of the issues with prestige, lab work access, and other applicants' competing with better credentials.

This is a slippery slope. People get more established over time. Barriers to physical attendance tend to get more entrenched, not less. It usually gets harder to break out, not easier.

Just to play devil's advocate with completely anecdotal information, most of the patients I've worked with over the past year have hated e-learning in high school and college and are eager to get back to in-person instruction next year (or the year after, who the hell knows these days). Yes, this might not be generalizable to others outside this small, unique sample, but virtual instruction is quite lacking for many and they want to go back to in-person once they get a taste of it.

 

[R. Matey]

I know someone who had a master's degree from an online university and went on to do a master's degree in the same field at a brick-and-mortar institution before going to a doctoral program. My suggestion would be to not do the online master's program.

I know a person who did an online master's program and then did another master's and then entered into a Ph.D. program. It theoretically can be done, but it's a tremendous waste of your time and money due to factors others have mentioned.