new phd

Ok, here is the deal. I have the PhD in Human Services with a concentration in Professional Counseling. My bachelors are in accounting and sociology with a MA in Counseling. Most of the courses in the PhD were taken to parallel the Clinical Psych degree. This works really well in some arenas (they do call me Dr.) but it is not equilavent to a psychology degree. So, where can I get a RA accredited or equalivent phd in psychology, preferably in clinical psych, here or abroad. The necessities: cheap, fast, and in a distance learning format. HELP! Thanks, Howard.

 

Cheap or shall I say inexpensive I can say Australia or South Africa. Neither of those will be fast.

North

 

Thanks, North. Fast is relative. I am trying to do it within a year time frame and then off to law school. Saratoga says they have agreements with ABA accredited schools where their students can take the LL.M and then take the bar in any state. Are there other schools that have such an arrangement. Anyone know?

What is the transfer rate for Aus. Some of the programs listed A$9000. What is that in US $?

 

9000 Aust. dollars is about 4700 US dollars.

Forget about any South African university if you want a PhD in a year. I don't know about Australian ...

 

Let me echo Salmon's statement. Not in a year. I am sure Australia is the same way. The *minimum* amount of time I have seen for SA doctorates is 2 years which is similar to the minimum in the US. I can't imagine Australia is any different. Minimum also means that you have a good deal of luck, perseverence, and the God's are smiling on you. Our own Steve Levicoff was what he termed a 2 year wonder at Union Institute which I understand was a rarity.

Now, if you want to try Berne U in St. Kitts I believe at one time they advertised that with transfer (etc) you could do it in a year. But you better check the utility of that degree.

North

 

Minimum time for an Australian PhD, full time is 3 years.

Cheers,

George

 

Although a doctorate in Clinical Psychology is more presitigious, a Ph.D in Professional Counseling coupled with certification in CLinical Mental Health Counseling from the National Board of Certified Counselors(which requires a written exam,a taped case study with a critique of ones' assessment) along with state licensure as a mental health practitioner, will place you in good stead. There is no doubt that Clinical Psychology has the edge in terms of teaching in the area of Psychology within the domain of academia, however, many insurance companies do recognize licensed counselors for reimbursement in private practice although at a lower rate.

The process involved in obtaining post certification in Clinical Psychology necessitates having a doctorate in Psychology, completing additional course work, an APA internship (non APA internships negate opportunities for jobs but APA internships are extremely competitive to find)and then passing a very difficult national exam in psychology as well as oral boards required by various states. This process can take years and the question to ask is the benefit of acquiring this additional title worth the stringent and arduous task involved?

 

Hello Howard, I just don't see where you are going to be able to combine the features you enumerate: cheap, fast and DL. You already purchased one Edsel in the form of a Ph.D. that doesn't have the horsepower you need for psychology licensure. The likelihood is that all you would realize from an offshore program is ... more of the same. If you're limited to DL I would encourage you to think about Fielding's APA-approved program although you would eventually have to devote a year to the internship. Howard, I have a great deal of empathy for your plight as 20 years ago I found myself in a similar situation. But, reality is that fast and a credible psychology doctorate are orthogonal constructs. Good luck.

 

That's cute David

North

 

Quite frankly David, although you are accurate regarding the difficulty in Howard obtaining his goal, you are also fortunate as a Psychologist to have acquired such an interesting and meaningful position.

The entire field of mental health, including Clinical Psychology, has seen declines in salaries, difficulty in manuvering the bureacratic maze of managed care in private practice and in finding meaningful work and avoiding burnout. The fact that recent studies have demonstrated insignificant differences in clinical treatment outcomes between doctoral level psychologists and clinicians at the masters level has also not augmented the status of psychologists. In addition, the ongoing adversarial relationship with psychiatry, with its biopsychiatric emphasis, has also resulted in turf wars ad infinitum which also has adversely affected the income of Psychologists. The fact is that team leaders in the vast majority of psychiatric hospitals and institutions is held by Psychiatrists not psychologists who hold less status and significantly lower salaries. The flooding of the mental health field with LPCs, MSWs, RNs, etc has provided the consumer with an overwhelming array of potential therapists other than Clinical Psychologists who provide cheaper services.

The fact that a number of free standing schools of psychology have lowered their standards for admission and possibly for graduation as in completing a "project" rather than a doctoral level dissertation (If one were to compare the admission standards for a clinical psychology doctoral program in the 1960s and 70s as compared to today, it would be discerned how these standards have declined). This factor has inundated the field of with Psy.Ds in addition to Ph.Ds. Acquiring jobs in academia for clinical psycholgists is also extremely difficut and competitive.

So, although more prestigious than a doctorate in counseling or social work or nursing, Clinical Psychology does not hold the same position of dominance or attractiveness as a profession it once held in years past.

 

The arrogance of the clinical psych field is somewhat amazing. Fielding Institute is a good sound program, however, the cost and effort at this stage of my life is probably not recoverable. I find it strange that insurance companies only pay clinical psych's when my degree has the same basic course work and I am Licensed as a Professional counselor by the state. Also, the areas counseling I can legally offer are identical to the areas of counseling the a licensed clinical psych can offer. Go figure - maybe just another way for the insurance companies to deny benefits. The American Counseling Association needs to increase their lobbying efforts. Cheers!

 

What is the practical difference between a Psy.D. and a Ph.D. in psychology?
Nosborne

 

The degree to which research is involved. The PhD requires a greater degree of research.

 

Not my field, but I think that a PsyD is always a clinical psychology degree whereas a PhD could be in research psychology or clinical psychology. Either may have a dissertation, but the PsyD may have lesser research requirements and may, for example, substitute additional clinical therapy courses for some of the research.

 

I recently helped the daughter of a friend of mine puzzle through this. The program that she is considering combines the MA/PsyD into a single 4-5 year program (if all taken at the same school).

 

More specifically, the Psy.D is oriented towards clinical practice with a decreased emphasis on research. Although a dissertation may be required, it usually takes the form of a research project. However, in academic circles the Ph.D holds significantly more weight for teaching positions.

 

I think I will give up on the Clinical Psych and go to law school --- any suggestions --- DL, of course. [email protected].

 

Howard, if you don't mind my asking, are you dissatisfied with the profession of professional counseling after just recently completing a doctorate from Capella? May I ask what your expectations were in completing this degree? Did Capella meet your needs for a graduate education?

Thanks

 

Hi Simon:
I took the PhD in Human Services with the intent of being able to bill insurance companies. Now, in Alabama BC/BS requires a Clinical Psych for reimbursement. The degree meets 80 to 90% of my needs. I am the Behavioral Coordinator at a CardioPulmonary Rehab Unit with adjunct staff privileges - but that is academic since I can't bill insurance. Why do I keep looking for something else to delve into. I am an education junkie. AA Bible studies, BA Sociology/Religion, BS Accounting, MBA, MA Counseling, PhD in Human Services, and an EMT/Ambulance Driver; all from R/A accredited schools and a non-traditional MDiv and I'm an ordained Cumberland Presbyterian Minister. Did I mention I also have a brown belt in karate. I get bored easily with jobs and degrees. My favorite answer to "how many degrees do you have," is "98.6 most of the time." As far as Capella --- I don't think it gets any better. They now have a top notch pysch department but they did not when I went there. Other questions, [email protected] but I will be out of town and away from the net (withdrawal) until the 28th. Cheers! Howard.