I hope I am posting this on the correct Forum. I rather suspect that I am setting myself up for a bashing here but I really just want honest opinions. I am considering the Master's in Hypnotherapy at Clombus U. I am already close the highest levels of certification offered by the trade associations such as the ACHE and NGH and I'd like to continue to learn about the practice. I have no problem with the lack of accredidation as I am not looking for licensure or to assist with getting a paid position. Please correct me if I'm wrong or off-base. I guess the question is would the degree actually teach good stuff or is their program a rip-off? Norwich/Vermont used to offer and accredited degree but no longer. As an alternative, I could go with Union or perhaps some other and craft an indivualized Master's. Anyway, I'd appreciate any feedback and suggestions. Patrick
Patrick: I have no problem with the lack of accredidation as I am not looking for licensure or to assist with getting a paid position. Please correct me if I'm wrong or off-base. John: To begin with, it depends on where you live, and where you are going to live for the rest of your life. If, for instance, you are in Oregon, the use of a Columbus degree, even on a letterhead or business card, is a criminal offense, punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. Same with New Jersey and a handful of other states that realize they can't keep the dreadful schools from operating, but they can go after the clients. Since your goal is to learn more, not to have a degree, why pay extra for a degree program (especially one like Columbus). Courses will cost a lot less -- for instance, those at the only distance hypnosis school with recognized (DETC) accreditation, http://www.hypnosismotivation.com/. Incidentally, if you do choose Columbus, can you let us know where it is located. When I visited the 'campus' address a few years ago, I found only a martial arts dojo. And when someone in Louisiana, using the Freedom of Information act, learned the address that was linked to their P. O. box application, he found an empty office. And now that they have been, I believe, booted out of Louisiana, they must have moved their um, campus elsewhere.
Hi John, Thanks for the reply. The address for Columbus is P.O. Box 879 * Picayune, MS and contact info is Debbie Blacksher Admissions Counselor Toll-Free: 888-222-3879 Local: 601-749-8480 www.ColumbusU.com This info from an e-mail I received from them today. For certain specific legal reasons, such as service of process, the identity of the box holder is obtainable. My interest in a Master's in this field lies in the fact that there is not much more training I can do. The American Council of Hypnotist Examiner's, for instance, tops out its various certifications after 300 hours of training and I'm getting pretty close to that. HMI seems to have an OK program that leads to a one-year degree (?) but I'm afraid I've already surpassed what they have to offer. I won't lie and say that having "MA" after my name means nothing to me but I am primarily interested in pursueing this degree to continue my education and perhaps do a bit of research for the thesis. My specialization is in medical hypnotherapy and pain relief in particular. It'd be pretty neat to earn a degree for the work and research I'm going to do anyway. I have no interest in the really cheesy Ph.D.'s in hypnosis offered by some schools. A doctorate in hypnosis? It's not that complicated. If there is some actual substance to the program at Columbus then I'd be happy to consider it further realizing the limiting nature of the pro's and con's of a degree from such a school. I don't plan on using the degree to get a job or hold myself out as something I'm not. There are very clear rules here in California as to who is and who is not a licensed therapist or health care provider. The recent Senate Bill 577 helped clear up some confusion and actually helped folks like hypnotherapists and massage therapists be on more stable legal ground. If clients are impressed with the fact that I did something to further my education then great. If not, that's OK too. Thanks again, Patrick
The trend appears to me that more states will be passing legislation to restrict the use of unaccredited degrees. This means that even if you can legally claim the degree where you live today, it may or may not be the case next year.
address of Columbus University The Website http://www.columbusu.com/ gives a local phone number, "(601) 749-8480". A reverse phone lookup yields: AKABAR INC 324 W Canal St Picayune, MS 39466
Hmm...their phone number is on "Canal Street" in Picayune, MS but there domain name is registered to an address on "Canal Street" in New Orleans: Registrant: Columbus University (COLUMBUSU2-DOM) 3623 Canal Street 2nd Floor New Orleans LA,70119 US Domain Name: COLUMBUSU.COM Administrative Contact: Keen, Debra (DKB489) [email protected] Columbus University 3623 Canal St. New Orleans, LA 70119 US 504-486-2101 504-483-3265 Yet several other sites lists their address as: Columbus University PO Box 7278 Metairie Louisiana 70010-8278 United States Tel: (+1) 504 486 2101 E-mail: [email protected] URL: http://www.ColumbusU.com I'm stumped. Please do let us know if you track it down.
