Need Serious Help With Master's Programs

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and have some questions. I am interested in a Master's in Forensic Psychology. I have looked into Walden, Argosy, University of North Dakota. I work full time, which is why I'm pursuing distance education, but I also want to get my degree in the shortest, least expensive way possible. UND's program takes awhile, but Walden's can be completed in 1.5 years. I've read mixed reviews on many different websites about Walden and Argosy. Is anyone on here currently pursuing or has pursued their Master's in Forensic Psychology at any university online that could give me some honest feedback? I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

-Nicole

 

Hi Nicole - I can't answer your question but I'd like to make a suggestion. I know someone who earned a Masters in Forensic Psych (it was a residential program) and she was very disappointed to learn that it did not make her eligible for licensure as a practitioner. If that's you're goal please double check the credits and consult your licensing board.

 

I agree with Kizmet on all of the above. I would also add that you can't trust those review websites. Anyone can post there, the schools themselves, competitors, kids playing pranks. The information on them is not reliable at all. Here on Degree Info, you can at least talk to people who are here to share information and nobody stands to make any money for anything said.

I have never attended either of those schools, but I hear very good reports on both of them. From what I understand, Argosy and Walden both deliver a very high quality education. The problem, as Kizmet said, is whether they meet requirements for licensure in your state. I would think that the schools themselves would be able to tell you if they meet your state's requirements. Otherwise, contact the licnesure board in your state. If they meet the requirements, then you are set.

The problem is that they are both very expensive. I would recommend more research to see if you could find a school that meets the requirements and doesn't cost so much.

Here's why your posts don't show up right away: http://www.degreeinfo.com/distance-learning-discussions/35100-new-users-ask-where-did-my-posts-go.html

 

Hi Nicole,

Here are a couple of questions that may help in your decision:

1) What do you intend to do with a "Forensic Psychology" degree? A lot of people think that they'll be profiling serial killers like on "Criminal Minds". From friends in the business, the bread and butter cases these folks work on are things like interviewing children in child custody issues, etc.

2)Who do you plan to work for? Are you planning to be an employee of some government agency, such as the district attorney's office, police, etc? Are you going to be an independent consultant working for different law firms?

3)Who is your competition/colleagues, and what are their credentials? Are you coming in with a Masters into a field where the VAST majority in your area have doctorates? What types of schools did these folks go to? Are they licensed mental health providers, as well?

4)What are your potential employers looking for? Do they demand doctorates, licenses, relevant experience? How do they look at for-profit universities?

5)What kind of success do the students at the universities you are looking at have? Are they able to find work in the field? Call up the university and ask if they can give you any references.

With all of that said, my preference would be toward UND. Keep in mind, this preference is solely because it is a solid state university, as opposed to a for-profit university. This is purely an issue of perception for me. Whether people like to admit it or not, there is a strong stigma against for-profit schools, and the press feeding frenzy appears to be making it worse. In fact, I would argue that much of the old stigma of distance learning has transferred specifically to for profit schools, as more and more B&M non-profit schools open up distance programs.

 

Nicole,

I would concur with the previous posters as regards the UND route; a solid state university. Moreover, if licensure is also a present or even future consideration, more than likely, a state university will fulfill those prerequisite requirements.

Some other forensic psychology program considerations you may have interest in:

UMass-Boston: online Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling - Forensic Services
UMass Boston | University College | Master of Science in Mental Health Degree Program

Palo Alto University: Master of Forensic and Correctional MHC
Forensic and Correctional Mental Health Counseling | Palo Alto University

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: online-blended MA in Forensic Psychology
Forensic Psychology Masters Degree | Online Forensic Psychology Graduate Programs | Chicago School of Psychology Online

University of Liverpool (UK) (Laureate Online Education): MS in Forensic Psychology & Criminal Investigation
Master of Science in Forensic Psychology & Criminal Investigation - Laureate Online Education & University of Liverpool - Online Masters Degrees

Coventry University (UK): MSc in Forensic Psychology and Crime
Coventry University - Forensic Psychology and Crime MSc degree course

 

Walden explicitly posts the following disclaimer about their MS Forensic Psychology program:

Sometimes programs like this are really designed for individuals who are already licensed professionals. For example, the Walden program might be appropriate for a licensed psychologist who wished to expand his existing practice into the forensics field.

If you already have a license, then it probably doesn't matter whether or not a degree program is licensure-qualifying. But if you don't have a license, then it may not make sense to invest in a degree that won't help you to get one. As suggested in previous posts, it's possible that you could graduate with this degree, and be unable to use it professionally.

 

Thank you to everyone who posted! All of your information is very helpful. I'm not really looking for licensure and I was aware that a Master's in Forensic Psychology wouldn't lead to that. I currently work with kids with behavioral disorders and enjoy that. I plan on eventually working with juveniles in correctional facilities or before they enter. I know an MSW would probably be a better fit, but I don't have the time or money to commit to an MSW program, so I thought this degree may help. I'm still undecided so I won't be making a decision until I'm dead set. Thank you all for your input!

 

Prairie View A&M University: MS in Juvenile Forensic Psychology (I believe this can be completed via distance learning).

MS in Juvenile Forensic Psychology

 

I see that you're in New York....if you could manage a weekly trip to Boston (plus an occasional weekend), the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology has a blended format (online and dispersed residencies) program in Forensic & Counseling Psychology that does lead to licensure;

Forensic Psychology Masters Program – MSPP, The Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

 

Hi Bruce. I actually applied and was accepted there when I was first looking at grad schools, but I wasn't able to commit to the commute. Thanks for the info though!

 

FYI, University of New England and USC both have online MSW programs now. Of course the clinical work must be supervised in person.