what is the best online school for masters degree?

[hajdlmother]

What is the best online school to go to for masters degree for psychology? any thoughts?
Thanks😀

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[Therapist4Chnge]

None.

IMHO, online training programs for psychology are not sufficient to teach what you need to learn, whether it is theoretical or applied knowledge. You would be best served to look elsewhere.

 

[wigflip]

This question has been posed before, so you'll likely benefit from using the search function to read what folks have posted about online degrees before. The consensus seems to be much the same as the responses on this thread: don't do it!

Two possible exceptions (and I'm not advocating this personally, but rather summarizing past discussions) are:

1) You live somewhere rural and don't intend to move. You already work at Human Services Agency X and everyone there already has an online degree from Online School Y. You know for a fact that getting the same degree will increase your job security and give you a pay bump. The tuition at Online School Y is manageable, and longterm, the math works out in your favor.

2) You get a degree from a well regarded brick and mortar university that parallels their traditional program (i.e. USC's or Smith College's online MSW programs).

I mention social work because I'm not convinced that what you really want is "psychology" as opposed to a licensable masters degree. But either way, searching these threads will yield a host of information.

 

[BlackSkirtTetra]

I mentioned this before, but I'll mention it again. I have class with a woman who got her online Masters in Psychology and found that no one would hire her or supervise her for licensure because it was an online degree. Now, she's enrolled in a real life brick-and-mortar school for her second Masters degree (this time in SW) because the first one has proven basically useless.

 

[Goobernut]

Did you guys know they have online NP degrees!!!!! I am horrified! And I feel slightly naive that I didn't realize it before.

Should I start asking where the NP went to school?!? Can I assume there are online PA degrees? Surely some face to face time is required? Or is it very likely they go to classes but don't end up licensed?

Gak! The thought!

 

[BlackSkirtTetra]

I guess I'm naive, too, because I also didn't realize there are online NP programs. Where are they?

One of my regular providers is an NP, so now I'm going to have to ask where she went to school...

 

[wigflip]

Did you guys know they have online NP degrees!!!!! I am horrified! And I feel slightly naive that I didn't realize it before.

Should I start asking where the NP went to school?!? Can I assume there are online PA degrees? Surely some face to face time is required? Or is it very likely they go to classes but don't end up licensed?

Gak! The thought!

A friend of a friend attended one. According to my friend the NP is making money hand over fist.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Making money...yup, but I'd be concerned about the possible/probable gaps in knowledge. The direct entry programs are what rub me the wrong way. Students can push through with minimal actual clinical experience, and then they can practice independently w. no oversight (depending on the state). I'm not saying ALL, but I have witnessed (anecdotally) some large gaps.

 

[wigflip]

Making money...yup, but I'd be concerned about the possible/probable gaps in knowledge. The direct entry programs are what rub me the wrong way. Students can push through with minimal actual clinical experience, and then they can practice independently w. no oversight (depending on the state). I'm not saying ALL, but I have witnessed (anecdotally) some large gaps.

I don't doubt it.

 

[paramour]

People are going to grow tired of me asking where they received their education & training.

So, Mrs. Vet, did you attend an online program?

Vet: <blank.stare> Um, yeah, so your dragon seems to have a . . .

No, no, lets forget about the critter's problems for a moment. I want to know where you attended vet school.

 

[Goobernut]

I guess I'm naive, too, because I also didn't realize there are online NP programs. Where are they?

One of my regular providers is an NP, so now I'm going to have to ask where she went to school...

I'm kicking myself wishing I had the presence of mind to ask where she went. If I hadn't been so horrified I might have asked for more details. I was at our reunion. Of course, we were discussing "what are you doing now?" and she mentioned that she was in an NP program. Our state NP program is very competitive and hard to get into, so I said, "Wow, you got into State University! Congrats, I've heard its hard to get in!"

She said, "Oh no, I'm in an online program." Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Mind = blown. Don't remember much of the conversation after that.

A friend of a friend attended one. According to my friend the NP is making money hand over fist.

There is a reason that this type of education continues, and its because some people actually get jobs with said education. Shamefully true.

Making money...yup, but I'd be concerned about the possible/probable gaps in knowledge. The direct entry programs are what rub me the wrong way. Students can push through with minimal actual clinical experience, and then they can practice independently w. no oversight (depending on the state). I'm not saying ALL, but I have witnessed (anecdotally) some large gaps.

This! I hadn't thought about the direct entry being an issue, but it makes sense. But are you saying that in brick and mortar NP direct entry programs they get no additional clinical training? That just doesn't seem like a good idea.

People are going to grow tired of me asking where they received their education & training.

So, Mrs. Vet, did you attend an online program?

Vet: <blank.stare> Um, yeah, so your dragon seems to have a . . .

No, no, lets forget about the critter's problems for a moment. I want to know where you attended vet school.

AHHHH VETS!!!???? That one's a little harder to find. I can't readily locate any schools advertising their online Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. 😀

 

[paramour]

AHHHH VETS!!!???? That one's a little harder to find. I can't readily locate any schools advertising their online Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. 😀

Yeah, they were in mind at the time I posted since I had just been to the vet. I actually *had* looked up credentials prior to making the appointment, but they ended up needing to switch me at the last minute for whatever reason.

Sooo, I checked all the vets in the clinic... None with online degrees (at least nothing apparent 😀). But, interestingly, one used to be an NFL player in a past life.

 

[BlackSkirtTetra]

Correct me if I'm wrong -- aren't there many fewer schools of veterinary medicine in this country than medical schools? I was told by a vet student that their admissions process was more rigorous than that of future MDs/DOs because the numbers are stacked against them. He could have been exaggerating though now that I think about it...

If there are many fewer schools of veterinary medicine, I'm surprised that online versions haven't popped up!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Nevermind, I don't want to side track the discussion....

 

[BlackSkirtTetra]

My experience with NPs is limited, but I do know two NPs who took very different routes.

My former coworker had been an RN for 20+ years (and worked 13 of those years in the same psychiatric hospital) and eventually decided to become a psychiatric NP. By this point she was around 50 years old and had buckets of "real world" experience. I'd personally feel comfortable going to see her for a variety of ailments.

My current coworker is 27 or 28. I don't know her as well, but I do know she got her BSN in three and a half years, and her NP in three years in a mixed online/in-person program, and this is her first "real" job outside of internships. She could actually practice independently if she wanted to, but realizes she isn't capable of that...however, there are others in her shoes who don't have that foresight. I don't feel completely comfortable with that, but I'm not a nurse (or a NP) so what do I know? 😛

For some reason, online NP programs scare me more than online SW programs, and online SW programs scare me a lot!

 

[wigflip]

Correct me if I'm wrong -- aren't there many fewer schools of veterinary medicine in this country than medical schools? I was told by a vet student that their admissions process was more rigorous than that of future MDs/DOs because the numbers are stacked against them. He could have been exaggerating though now that I think about it...

If there are many fewer schools of veterinary medicine, I'm surprised that online versions haven't popped up!

My friend is applying now and confirms this. Says there are only 24. 😱

 

[BlackSkirtTetra]

How many medical schools are there, for comparison?

 

[pingouin]

How many medical schools are there, for comparison?

close to two hundred when you include the US MD programs, DO programs, and Caribbean schools.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

24 sounds right to me, yep; a friend applied a few years back and mentioned a similar number. Then again, we also have to remember that the number of people applying to vet programs is significantly lower than the number of pre-med applicants out there.

However, this isn't the first time I've heard that vet school ends up being more competitive. Honestly, I have no clue if it's true, as it's tough to determine if we're comparing apples to apples (e.g., is the average vet school applicant as competitive, qualified, and strong academically as the average pre-med).

 

[BlackSkirtTetra]

I'd imagine you could make one comparison just by numbers: the total number of spaces in medical schools in the US vs. the total number of applicants, as compared to the total number of spaces in vet schools in the US vs. the total number of applicants.

That would require more information than any of us have access to, I'd bet...

 

[Jalpari]

I know online degree in psychology dont offer license, but the degree will be considered valid for further studies in psychology or not??

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I know online degree in psychology dont offer license, but the degree will be considered valid for further studies in psychology or not??

It's really going to depend on what you mean by "valid," and what your further studies are going to entail. In general, though, I would hazard a guess and say that no, in the majority of instances, pursuing an online degree isn't going to greatly improve your CV with respect to further pursuit of training in mental health/psychology. This is particularly true when you look at an online degree in comparison to either a brick-and-mortar institution (and there are even instances where obtaining a masters from a traditional program might not help you very much), or to obtaining research experience as an RA in a lab. Either of these latter two options will better prepare you, and make you more competitive, for further study in psychology than would an online degree.

 

[Jalpari]

It's really going to depend on what you mean by "valid," and what your further studies are going to entail. In general, though, I would hazard a guess and say that no, in the majority of instances, pursuing an online degree isn't going to greatly improve your CV with respect to further pursuit of training in mental health/psychology. This is particularly true when you look at an online degree in comparison to either a brick-and-mortar institution (and there are even instances where obtaining a masters from a traditional program might not help you very much), or to obtaining research experience as an RA in a lab. Either of these latter two options will better prepare you, and make you more competitive, for further study in psychology than would an online degree.

I dont want online degree but my options are scarce..
If i go to research side, would online degree consider enough? or if i get a chance sometime in future, would my online degree considered valid for further mental health training? that was my question.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I dont want online degree but my options are scarce..
If i go to research side, would online degree consider enough? or if i get a chance sometime in future, would my online degree considered valid for further mental health training? that was my question.

As I mentioned above, in more instances than not, no--it probably wouldn't help very much. Although again, it's going to depend on what you mean by "go to research side." If you're talking about an academic position in a research institution, then having an online degree will hurt you. And if you're thinking of applying for a doctoral program for "further mental health training" in the future, then again, an online degree isn't going to help you.

The main reasons people pursue a masters prior to entering a doctoral program are to a) improve their application after having a lackluster undergraduate GPA, and b) gain additional research training and experience. An online degree might help you with your GPA, but I don't see it doing much for research experience. You'd honestly be better off working/volunteering as an RA in a research lab.

Beyond all that, I can only imagine how much the degrees must cost. If it were free, and you had absolutely nothing else to do/no other choice, I'd say go for it. But I'd imagine these things are going to cost $20-30k/year, which is in no way worth the price.

Without more detailed information about your professional/career plans, I can't say much more than that.

 

[Nymphicus]

You can also get your doctorate in nursing (DNP degree) online as well. Even University of Phoenix offers it if you're interested.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

That would be completely different for what the OP requested, but I guess that could be an option if they wanted to go to school for something. I would strongly advise against pursuing a DNP, as it combines all of the same pitfalls as other online degrees with being viewed as a less than rigorous training area. The SDN NP/PA forum has a thread about the concerns I mentioned.

 

[Qwerk]

You can also get your doctorate in nursing (DNP degree) online as well. Even University of Phoenix offers it if you're interested.

Everyone together now: AAAAAAAAAAAAARGH.

 

[psych844]

As a Canadian, I wanted some clarification.

Is their a distinction to be made between online programs and distance programs?

Is there not a distinction to be made between accredited and non-accredited online/distance programs?

Is there not a distinction to be made between doing an undergrad online/distance and a graduate/proffesional degree?

What is the consequence of going to a well known college and a not well known one in America?

The thing is, here in Canada, since the Universities are publically funded, we don't really have tiers of schools. (the funding is close enough) Sure there are some Universities that get more funding and have greater reputations but going to a not so reputable school..as long as it is accredited, will not matter much. Employers are much more concerned about experience.

We have one major distance education University here in Canada. It is a school that many people take courses at but don't neccesarily complete their programs in. While people have the same hang-ups about distance education here, this Uni is accredited by the province, among others, and therefore accepted Canada wide. Reputation wise it is on the level as some of the smaller brick-and-mortar instutions.

People constantly question their distance education due to ignorance from the general public; ie can I complete my degree with distance education and get into med school, law school, do graduate work, and the answer is an obvious yes. I personally did the work and got answers from top law schools, top med schools, and top graduate programs, and the answer was always yes. Some of them said you should never question your degree if it is accredited.

Is it the same situation in the United States?

I don't know much about the USA system but institutions like DeVry or Phoenix seem to have given a really bad reputation for online/distance education. Are they even accredited?

I guess the difference is that our institutions are public. We wouldn't fund insitutions that are not accredited and legit.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Is their a distinction to be made between online programs and distance programs?
Not really. Both are looked upon with great skepticism, at best. Many people are doing them, but there are also a huge % of unemployed people who are educated AND in a great deal of debt.

Is there not a distinction to be made between accredited and non-accredited online/distance programs?
Yes. In some fields it is a big deal, in others not as much. In psychology/mental health it can make a large difference. Anyone wanting to do "therapy" faces a lot of competition, so acred. status is even more important.

Is there not a distinction to be made between doing an undergrad online/distance and a graduate/proffesional degree?
Yes. It is one thing to take an undergrad 101 course online, but a completely different animal to complete a degree online...let alone a graduate degree.

What is the consequence of going to a well known college and a not well known one in America?
It depends on the field, acred., who you know, etc.

....can I complete my degree with distance education and get into med school, law school, do graduate work...Is it the same situation in the United States?

No.

 

[psych844]

Your system doesn't make much sense then. But I think that may be because you have a lot of private colleges and you may allow institutions to call themselve "accredited" even if they are not. Regulations are tight here and our major Uni's are all public, publically funded.

Our system is publically funded and that may be the difference. Govt doesn't give these schools money for fun..they have to produce legit degrees that can be used in the real world. For example, even our govt loans are only for specific, accredited institutions. If we get bad grades, if we change our majors too much, if we drop courses, they could stop funding us.They are making an investment into us. They dont' put that investment in to send us to colleges that don't give you legit designations.

I should mention the Uni: Check it out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athabasca_University It is an accredited research institution. Check out the accreditation portion as well. In fact, the funny part, it is the only Canadian institution "accredited with the United States by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools." How does this make sense? And I checked it is the University as a whole apparently not a specific program.

 

[Qwerk]

Your system doesn't make much sense then. But I think that may be because you have a lot of private colleges and you may allow institutions to call themselve "accredited" even if they are not.

It's a little more complicated than that. In the U.S., there are many types of accreditation. One is regional accreditation, which is granted to entire schools. If a particular school isn't regionally accredited (regardless of whether you're getting an undergraduate or graduate degree there), it's looked on as a bit shady, and your credits will probably not transfer to other colleges. There are other types of accreditation that a college can receive (national accreditation, usually granted to career or technical colleges), but these aren't recognized as widely or taken as seriously.

The other type of accreditation is professional accreditation, which is granted to graduate programs in specific disciplines by professional organizations. The APA accredits psychology programs, the CSWE accredits social work programs, and so on. (This is why it's necessary to check how a school is accredited -- some less-scrupulous graduate psych programs will advertise their "accredited" status, but although the school may regionally accredited, the psychology program isn't APA-accredited.) Graduate programs that aren't accredited by the applicable professional organization are still allowed to exist, and can usually accept Federal student loan money, but in many states, you can't practice with a degree from an unaccredited program. In other states, it's possible to practice, but many employers won't hire you. Even accredited distance programs and/or for-profit colleges aren't widely accepted.