Online Degree In Psychology

I'm up in the air as far as what I want to do in life, lol!

Teaching -VS- Psychology/Counseling/Social Work

I have all of the info I need as far as acheiving the Bachelors in Teaching, currently enrolled in WGU - start date - January 2006.

But, wanting to help abused women/children has been a desire of mine after being in abusive situations myself. My heart breaks for those who are abused and I would love to reach out and help someone.

I have read that most students who earn their bachelors in psychology end up making peanuts in their jobs, so a PHD is preferred, or a dotorate to earn $40,000+ a year. Most of them with bachelors don't even acquire a job in the field.

Has anyone earned their bachelors in psychology, how did it fair, what online college did you enroll in and have you had trouble getting a job in that field?

 

You might want to check out the thread entitled BS Psych http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20592 . It has weblinks to state licensure rules for counselors and psychologists and threadlinks to lists of undergrad and grad degrees in psychology and counseling.

 

Hey Zaks,

I am a psychologist. I teach (tenured) at a local college as well as conduct therapy. In fact, many of the "clinical psychologists" at my school do just that. Many of us do the "publish or perrish" stuff via our colleges and/or clinic (private practices).

Anyhow, in terms of degrees, a BS in NY will really get you a VERY entry level job. In the area of NY where I live, most jobs who "require" a minumum of a BA pay about 16-24k per year. Those jobs which require a Masters will pay about 25-32k a year. Finally, the PhD (clinical psych or Neuro) will start you off at 50-60k a year. A PhD in Industrial/Organizational psych will get you about 60-70k a year.

Here is a link that will provide more insight for you. http://www.naz.edu/dept/psychology/careers.html#anchor206949 I hope this helps!

peACE,
ACE

 

HI Zaks:

Keeping going for at least a Masters. I have two degrees, on in Psyc and the other in Communication disorders. Presently I work as a Behavior Tech. at a highschool. This about as far as I can go with my degrees. Thusly I am planning on enrolling in 2006 to finally complete my masters in Counseling. From there my ability to earn a little more money is better(at least here in Washington state). Good luck.

Tim

 

Zaksdarlin: As an intermediate possibility, you can also counsel people with a master's degree in counseling or social work. Be warned, however, that, with traditional universities at least, going from a counseling or social work master's degree to a psychology doctoral program can be a difficult sell. Things might, however, be different with the more non-traditional universities. God bless you for wanting to help victims of domestic abuse.

Sage43: Congrats on your decision to go for your MA in Counseling! I wish you well in your endeavors!

Both of you: Welcome to the boards!

 

Ted:

Thank you so much. This forum, Rocks. It has helped me quite a bit over the past few months in making a sound decision. And, with all the advice and time you put in..just a simple ol thank you for all that you.

 

Behavior tech at a Seattle high school? Which one?

 

Shorewood High School, in Shoreline.

 

Ah! North King County! I used to live in Woodinville, WA, from August 19, 1986 to August 1, 2001.

 

Gathered that form where you went college

 

Ace and Tim have written some decent advice. With just a BA in Psych you'll barely earn a living. Whatever you do, make sure that you can support yourself and your family. You need to be sure that you can take care of yourself before you turn your attention to taking care of others. There are lots of ways of helping people in need. Being a therapist is only one of them.
Good luck in all your endeavors.
Jack

 

Zaksdarlin, I have a masters degree in social work. I agree with people that without at least a masters degree, you won't make too much money in the field of counseling. In my state (Massachusetts) there are more jobs for masters level therapists than for PhDs and PsyDs. Clinics don't often want to pay for doctors. They can pay non-doctors a bit less. Good luck.

 

Bachelor's programs in psychology

I've been searching for reputable online undergrad programs in psychology and figured I'd share these options with those who may also be considering a psych degree:

Athabasca University (www.athabascau.ca), is a Canadian school that earned US accreditation, from the Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools, earlier this year. I really like the curriculum, has a lot of the science-based psych classes I'm looking for.

University of Maryland University College (www.umuc.edu) offers a BS in Psychology. UMUC psych majors can take courses in neuropsychology, cognitive psychology and even neurobiology!

NYU (www.scps.nyu.edu) offers several undergrad degrees online through the School of Continuing & Professional Studies. If you declare a major in Social Sciences, there are several concentration options, of which Psychology is one. I like the idea of earning a degree from NYU, but want to compare the online program to the on-campus program.


If anyone would like to add to this list, feel free! I have been mainly looking for online programs that offer the science-focused psych classes because I eventually want to go to grad school in psych, concentrating on cognitive psychology. So I'm looking for BA/BS programs that offer courses in cognition, bio/neuropsych, memory, biological bases of behavior, etc. If anyone knows of any good ones, please let me know and if I find anymore I'll post them

 

At this time it appears that you are uncertain as to your career choice. Therefore, exploring BA programs in Psychology at this time appears to be putting the "cart before the horse".

Prior to jumping the gun and exploring numerous psychology BA programs you may benefit from a comprehensive career assessment and subsequent discussion with a trained career counselor to explore your career related interests, skill competencies, priority of work related values, personality style and preferences and needs. Such an assessment and objective discussion with a trained career professional may provide you with the data you require to make a realistic educational/career decision relating to whether psychology or teaching would result in greater career satisfaction.

 

I am gritting my teeth as I once again am forced to agree with simon. Someone who is "up in the air as far as what I want to do in life," should not embark on a career in Human Services. Such careers require a committment to the welfare of other humans and deserve more than someone who is "up in the air." I would suggest that you enroll in a program that allows you to explore a broader curriculum and that you find some alternate means of engaging people in a helping capacity so that you might determine if this feels right for you. There are numerous volunteer oppotunities in virtually every community for those who seek them out. In any case, good luck.
Jack

 

Originally posted by Jack Tracey [/i]
Someone who is "up in the air as far as what I want to do in life," should not embark on a career in Human Services."


SIMON: In fact, "someone who is up in the air as far as what I want to do in life" should not embark in a career in ANY PROFESSION not only human services, without first carefully exploring their intrinsic capability and interest necessary to succeed in the field of their choice.

 

Continue exploring degree programs. You'll get your feet on the ground soon enough!

 

Nothing wrong exploring degree programs.

However, by itself exploring these programs will probably not "get your feet grounded soon enough". In fact, the vast majority of people who start their search for an educational/career track by reviewing myriad degree programs without initially understanding and clarifying their fields of interests, their career related needs, passion, interests, values and personality traits, will most likely NOT make a saisfactory career choice and adjustment. This is similar to a scenario of one who "jumps" into a business without initially exploring the area of business they wish to pursue, ensuring they have the strength and passion to follow through when confronted with hard times as well as thoroughly understanding the financial risks associated with business ownership and without initially developing a viable business plan.

 

I was thinking that, whatever degree she pursues, Zak's darlin' will have to take freshman requirements in her first two years and in that time frame she can decide between education, psychology, or social work (or possibly some combo such as psych/soc wk tchr/prof) by the time she hits her junior year.

 

Re: Bachelor's programs in psychology

Hi eroica63,

Actually, NYU does not presently offer any undegrad degrees online. The BA in Social Sciences degree IS offered through SCPS, however it's only available on-campus.

http://www.scps.nyu.edu/online/index.jsp

BTW, here are a few more RA schools offering 100% online BA/BS degrees in Psychology:

National University (http://www.nu.edu)
Nova Southeastern (http://www.nova.edu)
Troy University (http://www.troy.edu)

I was planning on attending Nova Southeastern, however they recently implemented a $325/semester "Student Services Fee", which I consider to be outrageous. Therefore, I will be attending National University, beginning next month.

- Tom