Need help choosing a masters in general Psych

Hello,

First I apologize b/c this is one of those specific questions. I have read many of the posts on here but just haven't come accross my particular question(s).

I currently have two B.A.'s (english-creative writing and psychology)

I would like to teach online classes or at the CC level, perhaps at a 4 year some time in the future.

My dilemma: I am looking into online masters programs in General psych. I don't have the ability to relocate and the graduate programs in my area (twin cities MN) are for counseling or clinical studies.

I have come up with about 4 online schools: Capella, Walden, Northcentral, and Chicago school of Psych.

questions:
Are there any other schools that I can get a masters in General psych through distance learning?

Of the 4 schools I mentioned above, what are your thoughts on the quality and reputation of those schools for teaching at the level I have described?

finally, is teaching at the level I described really a likley event? I have read about the success of many of you teaching online however, are you just the lucky few?

ok, those are my big pressing questions at this time. I have gathered a lot of information from reading these forums, now I just have to make the decision for my future. Yikes!

thank you for your time and responses, Jen

 

Hi,

Here another online option for you (U of P is not for everyone, but it's still a valid option)"

MS in Psychology - University of Phoenix

Also, The University of North Dakota offer an online MS in Forensic Psychology.

There are also many options outside the U.S. if this interests you.


Good luck!
Tom

 

Pacifica Graduate Institute has a couple of Masters programs that might work for you. *warning* I don't know about residency requirements and I suspect the price tag is larger than average.

http://www.pacifica.edu/

 

Would a MA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Western New Mexico University fit the bill? Psychology is one of the concentrations:

http://www.wnmu.edu/VirtualCampus/InterdisciplinaryMasters.htm

The tuition is very inexpensive for a grad program - about $180/hr including fees:

http://www.wnmu.edu/VirtualCampus/Tuition_Fees.html

Shawn

 

>>


And, since you enjoy English, you could get your 2 concentrations in English and Psych! You could then teach in both departments.

 

I spent the day there recently. The Psych degrees at Pacifica all require residencies, and the cost, all told. is about $27,500 per year. The licensable psych degree in counseling will end up around $40,000 +. There is a non-licensable masters/doctorate in Depth Psychology available. Admission is to the PhD program where you earn MA along the way. Total cost for the PhD, all told, around $125,000 in today's dollars, excluding tuition hikes. There is also a PhD in Clinical Psychology offered.

They have one I think, completely online degree - a masters in the area of mythological studies which, if I recall, has a psych component.

Pacifica have two campuses in Carpenteria near Santa Barbara - I think they claim one of the two is in Santa Barbara proper but it aint so. Their campuses are actually quite serene, and the staff have a new-wave Sixties air about them. If you are into navel-gazing, or if you are just an aging hippie with a stash and enough cash, this school could be for you. Classes are generally held three days a month plus two or more week-long residential seminars annually, so it would come under the heading of distance learning with an on-campus component, although the degrees are classified as full time residential IIRC.

They are WASC accredited and the clinical PhD may receive APA accreditation in 2009 - they are well along the process.

 

Try Eastern Carolina University:

http://www.ecu.edu/cs-cas/psyc/Academic-MA.cfm

Master of Arts in General Psychology

Academic Psychology Concentration

The 30-hour Academic Psychology concentration (offered only as an online option) is designed for those students who wish to teach psychology at the community college level. It requires the completion of 24 semester hours of required courses and 6 semester hours of electives. In order to be maximally qualified for North Carolina employment, it is suggested that a student acquire 18 additional hours in a related subject discipline outside of psychology.

Comprehensive Exams
The Graduate School requires students to pass a comprehensive examination covering your field of concentration before graduation. The exams will be scheduled in consultation with the Director of General Psychology program but is usually completed near the end of the student’s course of graduate study. The exam consists of essay questions related to three of the following four topic domains:

* Developmental Psychology (PSYC 6406)
* The Biological Basis of Behavior (PSYC 6412)
* Social Psychology (PSYC 6421)
* Learning/Cognition (PSYC 6427 or 6428)

The exam items are written by faculty who teach the graduate classes listed above. Students may approach any of the professors involved to seek study guides. The format of the exam allows the student to answer three out of a total of five items. One of the five items is required (i.e. it must be answered by all students), and the student is asked to choose and answer two of the four remaining items. A three-hour period is allotted for the entire exam.

 

Hi Chris,

Thanks for this. Very interesting program.

Cheers!
Tom

 

Wow thanks

Thank you everyone for all the info.

I really liked the idea of the interdiciplinary degree w/ English and Psych.

question though: would a MAIS look as good as a masters in Psych or a masters in English alone? (I'm thinking not only for teaching but also in the non-academic world).

again, thanks I really appreciate the info.

oh, also, could someone let me know if my goals of teaching as an adjunct are realistic? I mean this as a second income (I plan to have my own business - totally not related to any of this, but need to have plans for a "real job" to earn extra money).

-Jen

 

I would like a MAIS / English and Psych on the resume. Would it look as good...what do you want to do with it?


As far as the income, I make a fair amount of extra money teaching and it is pretty steady.