Ashworth's College 2 Year Psych Degree

This is my very first post so be easy on me. I have read numerous threads about Ashworth College overall but nothing specifically regarding their Psychology program. (2 Year Associates) Has anyone taken this course before from the college or is anyone currently taking the course? Any feedback would be very much appreciated.

I'm definitely interested in knowing if anyone finished the program in less than 2 years even though the school states they've designed the course for 2 years. Thanks.

 

It is possible to finish in less than two years! I have complete one Semester in 1 month. At this pace is possible that I can finish in about 6 months, but I will not: I will finish my program in an about 1-year top.

 

Thanks so much for your reply. Do u find the coursework hard, easy, average? What about your proctored exam? Was that hard?

Do you intend to transfer to a 4 year college or obtain a Bachelor's once your finished? If so, what school do you plan to transfer to that would accept the credits? I'd want to transfer to either Columbia Southern University or Baker's. What's your take on it?

 

Re: Re: Ashworth's College 2 Year Psych Degree

Well, I find them easy due to I have repeat course over and over again in my education life and they have come second nature to me(due to multiple programs) Please note the list below. However, the courses are quite challenging and time consuming.

No, I do not intent to transfer to a 4-year college. I am doing this to keep my self up to date and be marketable, it is a possibility will do another Master(s), I am reviewing for Master of Taxes(already got accepted by FAU).

You should have no problem with Columbia Southern University they accept DETC credits but you should call them and ask about you intention. As per Baker, I do not know if they will accept transfer for you credit, then again Baker and ask> Hope this help!

 

You don't mention your eventual goal with a bachelor's degree in psychology, but if your goal is to practice psychology then you need to do more research before enrolling in any school. Psychology is a field in which you must be careful about proper accreditation throughout your education.

A doctoral level degree is needed to practice psychology, and that doctoral degree must come from a program accredited by the APA (American Psychological Association). A fact you might find surprising is that although Harvard University offers a doctorate in psychology, that particular program is not accredited by the APA so its graduates cannot be licensed to practice psychology.

So if this is your eventual goal you must be sure that any associate degree program you enter will be accepted for transfer to an accredited bachelor's degree program. The bachelor's degree must then be accepted to continue to a master's degree which must then be accepted to a doctoral program that is accredited by the APA. As shown by the non-accredited Harvard program, the APA is rather picky about which Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs they accredit. To expect to get to that level you must be certain about proper accreditation the whole way if you don't want to end up repeating (and re-paying for) a lot of coursework or having to take a lot of CLEP tests to prove knowledge of subjects you have already studied.

Here's a couple links to start you on some research:

Occupational Outlook Handbook page on specific information regarding the psychology field (You might also want to read the 'earnings' information on this page, psychology is generally not a well-paying field considering the level of education required.):

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos056.htm



APA information on accreditation:

http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/


Again, you didn't mention your eventual goal but you do seem concerned about how "hard" any coursework might be in this field. I certainly mean no offense to you but if your eventual goal is to practice psychology or to work directly in this field then please be aware that getting there won't be easy.

Kit

 

Wow. Thanks so much for the information.

I'd want to get my Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration but was interested in obtaining my Associates in Psych as a "stepping stone."

Do you know anything about Columbia Southern University at all? There they offer the bachelor's program for Healthcare Administration and surprisingly, they don't require that you have an Associates first - as with most colleges, etc.

 

If you want to start with an associate's degree and end with a bachelor's degree in Health Care Administration then you should consider starting the associate's degree in the same field. This will give you maximum opportunity for transfer credits to be accepted. Or you can simply start a bachelor's degree program directly without first getting an associate's degree elsewhere and having to transfer credits.

I'm not familiar with Columbia Southern University but seem to recall reading on this forum that it's DETC (Distance Education Training Council) accredited but not regionally accredited. DETC degrees are usually fine for business but you should check to be sure for your particular field of interest. DETC degrees can be difficult if you ever want to get a graduate degree in your field, since your choices would be limited to universities that accept DETC credits.

It's not surprising that CSU doesn't require an associate's degree before enrolling in their bachelor's degree program. Colleges offering bachelor's degrees don't require an associate's degree first. It's just that some people choose that route because it's often less expensive to complete the first two years of a four-year degree by going to a community college (or other junior college) first, then transferring the credits to a four-year school to complete. Either way though, a bachelor's degree still requires four years of study (or the equivalent of four years) regrdless of how you choose to get there. You still have to take all the general education requirements.

If you want to earn an inexpensive associate's degree first then you might check Education Direct rather than going with Ashworth. Ashworth is accredited by DETC but not by ACE (American Council on Education). Education Direct is accredited by both, the additional accreditation by ACE will mean more of your credits may transfer to a bachelor's degree. You should check with the college to which you want to transfer first, to see what credits they generally accept. Education Direct's web site is:

http://www.educationdirect.com

But your best bet before enrolling in ANY program for Healthcare Administration is to first check the professional organization AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) to see which educational programs they approve and what programs they might offer directly. Their web site is:

http://www.ahima.org/


Kit

 

Medgal.

Ashworth has an AS in Health Care and later next year they will be offering MS in Health Care> But why not start with your BS instead of Jumping and looking around?

 

I thought to start out with an AS in healthcare via Ashworth due to the fact it's more cost effective for me this way at present. I also figured I'd be able to transfer some of the AS credits to CSU to work on my BS.

If CSU had some sort of finanical aid program, I wouldn't even think twice about it but becuz they only offer a few payment plans, I figured I'd start the lower end of the totem pole by working on my AS. Do you think this is backwards considering the issue of finances?

Also, how did you know that Ashworth is in the midst of offering a MS in Healthcare?

 

Agree, Some of the DETC Schools or University are very inflexible when it comes to Payment Plan, that making them not a choice to study, and none offer federal aid. Ashworth indeed is flexible and their payment plan can work with almost any budget. In reference, the MS I know because I asked them. I am long time student from them.

 

Hey Vini,

I noticed you are doing the AS in information technology. Were you required to do those general education courses or were you able to substitute in other electives?

Thanks,

Dave

 

Vini,

In your opinion, since I'd like to obtain my Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration, do you think I should obtain an AS in Healthcare Management via Ashworth or an AS in Business Management via Ashworth? I'm having a hard time trying to decide the best route. What's your opinion?

 

Yes, I have will have to do all of them except one: the accounting one. Their policy is that credits cannot be more than ten years old, and you must take introduction to business as your first course regardless (you cannot transfer out or test it out).

The funny thing is that they required my transcript for High school, and they stick to that regardless I sent them transcript from my Master's and Bachelor's. Of course, it did create big problems in getting them.

PS: I also am checking in with FAU for the Master of Taxes! If do decide to do it, will be in the spring, it is possible that will commute or else paid the high price!

 

Not exactly accurate. A number of states now allow Master's level psychologists to practice. See.

 

Ashworth: Thanks. Can't imagine taking intro to business or psychology again...

FAU: Have you looked into Nova's eMTAX? At $500+ per credit is that anymore expensive than FAU?

Dave

 

Definitely I will stick to idea of studying anything that is relate to my interest of study, due to will make your studies much easier on the long run, you will become more knowledgeable in the area of your interest. Both programs show a lot similarity in content, and having an especialization is a much better idea.

 

Ashworh: I dont mind taking them again.


FAU: I will select FAU over Nova anytime, even if I come to a decision about the EMTAX at FAU instead of commuting, would come close or possible less than Nova. Besides FAU is AACSB Accredited

 

Vini,

How long does Ashworth give you to send them high school transcripts? Do they require them before one starts the program?
I ask becuz I have no idea where mine are - of course I can always obtain them but how long it would take for me to get them is another story.

 

Not exactly accurate. A number of states now allow Master's level psychologists to practice. See.


Jimmy, thanks for the clarification. I've always wanted to be a clinical psychologist or even a forensic psychologist but I know at this point in my life (getting up there in age), I'd be in school forever.

 

You can enroll without the transcripts; they give you up to 90 days to provide the transcripts.