Please Help! - Navigating a Minefield of Online Master's and Money

[Talker]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey,


I'm going to ask you for your advice. I apologize in advance if this comes off as asking for “knowledge on a silver platter”, but as you'll see I am at an impasse in my educational and professional career and could use some serious help. I have been searching on the internet, and I found this forum. This thread:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=841664
particularly inspired me and caused me to sign up to get help with my own situation.


I graduated in 2009 with a BS in Physics from the University of Arizona. About halfway through the degree I knew that I hated physics and I never wanted to do it as a job, but at that time my parents were footing the bill, which was out of state and to the order of 6 figures, and I just could not change and do that to them when they were struggling so I could get an education. So I finished it with a rather crappy 2.6 gpa, not knowing what I wanted to do, but being sure that I didn't want to do anything in Physics ever again.


A little while after graduation, and jobless, I went to a self development seminar where I was living. The company was affiliated with an online master's school for psychology, which had “just gotten accredited”. The degree is a MA in Transpersonal Psychology and the online program is DETC accredited, though of course not APA accredited. At the time when I enrolled I knew NOTHING about accreditation, let alone psychology – I only knew that I liked some of the stuff that was talked about at the workshop and wanted to learn more.


Fast forward a year and a half and I'm almost done with the program. I've sunk about 10k into it so far of my own money. I've really loved the program and the transpersonal approach, and I feel competent in psychology from the degree despite it's non APA status (I feel like what I imagine a rather industrious senior in a BA program might feel like, for what it's worth. I make no claim to be as knowledgeable as the PHD students here, obviously). Now, though, I am a little bit older, and a little bit wiser, and wondering what I am going to do with this degree. It seems, since it is both online and not APA accredited, that I am at a severe disadvantage. I did not know this going in, but unfortunately I didn't do my homework and no guidance to know better (which is why this forum is so awesome). I do not necessarily regret it, as I have grown a lot personally from taking this program. I am at a point, though, where I will have to sink another 3k into the program to take the portfolio course and finish it. Reading all the things I've read on the internet and this site, there doesn't seem to be much I can do with this degree, and it leaves me feeling lost (and wondering, WTH am I doing with my money).


I want to help people by using talk therapy. I thought I could use the MA in Transpersonal Psychology as a stepping stone into a PHD program in psychology – my rationale was that I didn't know anything about psychology and had a crappy physics GPA, so I might as well get a MA online and use it to piggyback into a PHD program later (I now know that this is not how it works). After doing research, I am not sure this degree will do much of anything to that end, and not only that, it seems like it may hurt my chances (if I do decide to go to a brick and mortar PHD school) since it is not even respected!


I feel like I should finish my degree, because I like the program, and I value finishing things that I start. I am planning on finishing my Master's online (even if it's not going to get me much in the real world), but the question is: What can I do with it? It is not APA accredited, but it apparently is DETC accredited, so can I use it to get a LAPC (I live in Atlanta,Georgia), and then try to find somewhere to work or do an internship here? (Or maybe private practice, but to be honest, I do not feel adequately trained to do that at this juncture... I would want some hands on training). Should I get an MSW from a school in GA like GA state? (But that would mean going back to school for something totally different, more expenses, and I'm not even sure I want that degree). I really want to do a PHD or PsyD at some point, but will my online degree work against me? I really want to do a PHD, but I am totally broke right now (was hoping that this Master's would open doors for me, which I'm not sure it will), and it looks like going to school for 6-8 years may not be able to happen this year or next (I'd have to make money and pay debt I already have, unless I want to sink into a bottomless pit of debt). I really am at a loss of what to do. Again, I want to help people in a therapeutic setting using talk therapy. What would you do if you were me? (Besides not get into this problem in the first place, but I was young, didn't know what I was doing, and didn't have any guidance in this area at that time.)


Thanks,
Talker

 

[Psychadelic2012]

I don't think you have to look at your situation so pessimistically. First of all, to clarify, masters programs can't be APA accredited--APA only accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology. The fact that your degree won't be regionally accredited is the big problem, and I am pretty sure DETC doesn't count.

As you will notice from these forums, going into a PhD program takes a LOT of work for everyone. It also requires some very traditional schooling and good grades, etc., which you don't have yet. But the good news is that you said you want to do talk therapy, and that doesn't require anything close to a PhD.

About the talk therapy. I'm guessing that your degree won't lead to licensure since it's not regionally accredited and didn't offer a practicum/internship component. Most states (I believe) require that the degree include at least these things, if I'm not mistaken.

My advice would be to look into the shortest, cheapest possible route to licensure as a counselor and/or social worker that you can find in your state. I don't know about GA, but some states only require 48 credit hours. If you go to a state school, this can be fairly inexpensive. Added to the debt you already have, you won't even end up as far in the hole as some of my colleagues! If you go this route, you can always integrate the transpersonal psych stuff that you are now learning--this will make you more marketable, most likely.

Another thing you can do is find a non-traditional way to use your skills--be a life coach, teach in the community, get certified in a speciality area. I'm not familiar with what transpersonal psych is, but perhaps a hypnotherapy certification or something similar will work for you. The training is short and fairly inexpensive, and you can work in many different areas helping people (not talk therapy, but similar). Nothing one does is completely worthless, you can find ways to use it if you're creative! You can always go back and get a traditional masters degree, even part-time.

 

[Zigman]

First things first, the APA does not accredit Masters programs. CACREP does accredit masters in counseling, but it doesn't sound like that is what you're getting. I'm not sure what Transpersonal Psychology really is. Given your aspirations of therapy, I would set about finding out how one could become licensed at the masters level with this degree -in any state, as requirements are likely to vary significantly state-to-state. If you are able to be licensed, then I'm not sure you need to worry about getting a different masters or even a doctorate. As has been discussed on this forum many times, it may not even be advisable for those exclusively interested in providing therapy to earn a doctorate as you can do this just fine with many masters degrees.

If, after researching, you find that you cannot become licensed anywhere with this degree, then some can provide you with the next plan of action.

 

[cara susanna]

What is transpersonal psychology?

 

[Talker]

What is transpersonal psychology?

Transpersonal Psychology is an eclectic or integrative modality that attempts to integrate the patients personal belief system with the goals of the therapeutic intervention. Transpersonal Psychology adds to the biographical emphasis of psychiatry and psychology a unique perspective that also incorporates the psycho-spiritual and personal belief systems of the patient. In this way, Transpersonal psychology leverages the tremendous potential that one's personal beliefs can have in the therapeutic setting and honors each individuals value system throughout the therapeutic process. It can be thought of as where spirituality and psychology intersect, though this is probably too simplistic. It has roots in alternative therapies and so-called "fourth wave" psychology.

For more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpersonal_psychology

Talker

 

[Talker]

The fact that your degree won't be regionally accredited is the big problem, and I am pretty sure DETC doesn't count.

First of all, thank you for your reply.

I've been doing some researching on the computer today (god bless Google) and it appears that this is the biggest challenge I face (amongst the other challenges). In GA, we have LAPC licensing as well as LPC licensing... LAPC seems to be an intermediary for general LPC licensing while one gets one's hours in the field. It appears, for GA, that this licensing requires a Regionally Accredited (RA) school. And it seems this is a strict policy.

I have been having trouble finding any states whose LPAC/LPC licenses (or equivalent) "take" DETC accredited programs. Through some searching I read that California's new LPCC might be appropriate, but I am no legal expert, and it's been hard to read the new codes they've passed. Does anyone know of any state licensures for councilors that take DETC accredited programs, at any level?

Another option includes going to a CACREP accredited institution (like GA state) for a MA in counseling, but again, this is "starting from scratch", as it were, with more years and money, and while I don't mind spending that time and money eventually, I'll go big or go home and shoot for a PhD or PsyD. Any other options besides what I've tossed out here?

I appreciate your guys help - I've learned a lot by reading these boards!

Talker

 

[Psychadelic2012]

I have been having trouble finding any states whose LPAC/LPC licenses (or equivalent) "take" DETC accredited programs. Through some searching I read that California's new LPCC might be appropriate, but I am no legal expert, and it's been hard to read the new codes they've passed. Does anyone know of any state licensures for councilors that take DETC accredited programs, at any level?

Not generally. I have heard of one CA school that offers a degree that leads to MFT licensure, even though the school is not regionally accredited. However, that school is in CA and is a state-approved school, so who knows if it is a political thing? Have you asked your school if any of their graduates have been successful at achieving licensure? They should know. You could always just apply after graduating, seeing as you're planning to graduate anyway. Trust me, though, you are probably going down a fruitless path if you have no internship/practicum component in your program. No state will license a counselor without that in the degree.

It seems to me that the program you're in is not meant to produce licensed mental health professionals. It's a non-traditional or specialty path.

this is "starting from scratch", as it were, with more years and money, and while I don't mind spending that time and money eventually, I'll go big or go home and shoot for a PhD or PsyD.

First of all, how will you do that with your educational history? Second of all, maybe you can get into one of a few schools who offer a PhD or PsyD with your background (ones that will accept almost anyone and come with a bill of $100k+), but it is really shocking that you will do all of that before you will get another masters degree. Really?! You will have to spend a hundred thousand dollars more on such a degree, in your position, which makes no sense considering that you are kicking yourself for spending 10k on your first masters. And all you want to do is psychotherapy? That makes no sense.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I haven't read the entire thread, but I do know this--GA has some of the tougher clinical psychology licensing requirements in the country, so I wouldn't imagine their therapist criteria would be very far behind.

As Psychadelic mentioned, if all you're interested in is psychotherapy, getting a licensable master's degree may be your best bet, considering it would also potentially set you up better to springboard into a doctoral program if that's what you end up deciding you'd like to do.

 

[KillerDiller]

First of all, thank you for your reply.

I've been doing some researching on the computer today (god bless Google) and it appears that this is the biggest challenge I face (amongst the other challenges). In GA, we have LAPC licensing as well as LPC licensing... LAPC seems to be an intermediary for general LPC licensing while one gets one's hours in the field. It appears, for GA, that this licensing requires a Regionally Accredited (RA) school. And it seems this is a strict policy.

I have been having trouble finding any states whose LPAC/LPC licenses (or equivalent) "take" DETC accredited programs. Through some searching I read that California's new LPCC might be appropriate, but I am no legal expert, and it's been hard to read the new codes they've passed. Does anyone know of any state licensures for councilors that take DETC accredited programs, at any level?

Another option includes going to a CACREP accredited institution (like GA state) for a MA in counseling, but again, this is "starting from scratch", as it were, with more years and money, and while I don't mind spending that time and money eventually, I'll go big or go home and shoot for a PhD or PsyD. Any other options besides what I've tossed out here?

I appreciate your guys help - I've learned a lot by reading these boards!

Talker

I'm afraid the bitter truth is that your school makes a practice of hiding the facts about the degree in the hope of duping naive students into thinking that it leads to licensure. As you learned, in fact, it does not. I truly am sorry. The one good thing is that you mentioned that you feel the degree has benefited you on a personal level. I would encourage you, though, to help future students avoid such a predatory practice.

Anyway, I have to agree with the above poster that the road to a Ph.D. (especially a funded one) is going to be a lot longer and more difficult than another MA degree. Either way, you will be starting from scratch once you are in a program. Quite frankly, it would take you at least a couple years of research experience in order to be competitive for admission to Ph.D. programs. So, we're talking about an endeavor that would take a minimum of 7 years and quite likely longer.

I do sympathize. I wouldn't want to spend the money for another masters degree either. Do you think you would benefit from working full time for a while and building up some financial stability before applying again?