Are their any online clinical phycology masters or bachelors programs which will allow me to practice in CA? Phoenix has one but its on ground. Thanks.
Yes, Shawn, there are quite a number of online programs in psychology. I am not intimately acquainted with the laws of California but I'd be surprised to learn that you can "practice psychology" with a Bachelors degree. You might be able to get a job in a group home or something like that but I don't consider that as "practicing psychology." Typically, you need a license, offered by the state. They typically have very clear guidelines as to credentials and other qualifications for such a license. You should visit your state government website regarding such licenses to learn those requirements. Then, you could scroll through our threads looking for relevant questions that have already been asked/answered. This might get you started: http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/29364-ba-bs-psychology.html http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/18170-ba-psychology-dl.html
The only license to practice in psychology is the Clinical Psychologist and this requires a PsyD or a PhD in psychology. You can practice with a Masters in Counseling or a Masters in Social Work (after passing the appropriate examination) but not with a Bachelors or Masters in Psychology. If you are looking for the fastest way to practice and bill medicare go for the Social Work degree. Good luck.
Here is a list of Clinical Psych masters programs in CA. Even though most may not be online, you should contact the schools to see if they have DL options. http://www.universities.com/edu/Masters_degrees_in_Clinical_Psychology_in_California.html
Don't forget the Ed.D. programs that are licensure-eligible (Columbia University Teacher's College comes to mind). It depends on the Master's degree; my M.A. from MSPP makes me eligible to sit for the Massachusetts LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) exam.
Walden What about walden, the admissions rep there said I can get my masters and phd in Organizational Phycology in 3.5 years, it sounded like he was steering me in that direction since I am in sales, and when I asked him about the clinical psych program, he kind of didnt seem like he was suggesting that to me. What do you guys thinks? Is the organization psych a waste of time? I just want to get a stable job with the prisons or hospital or some governm agency, I am tired of going from company to company, im 27 years old....lol.....
If you want to be a licensed mental health provider, the baseline standard for most states is at least a 60 credit-hour Master's degree with a minimum number of supervised internship hours, plus mandated coursework. I don't know of any programs that are completely online/non-residential that meet those requirements. Since you asked about being able to practice with a Bachelor's degree, the obvious inference to draw is that you don't have a Bachelor's degree yet. If that's the case, you're putting the cart WAAAAAY before the horse by thinking about graduate programs. I finished my B.A. with 122 credit hours, and now with 2 Master's degree and 3 courses into my doctorate program, I don't even have that many graduate credit hours. Getting a legitimate Bachelor's degree is no walk in the park. Focus on that first.