Online Bachelors in Psychology

Hey guys! I'm new to this forum, so I hope I'm doing everything right. I've been reading a lot of posts about a lot of different schools, but I still have some questions. I'm highly considering transferring to an online school to get my bachelor of science in Psychology. I've taken a few online classes that my university offers, and I love them. I've spoken to my adviser on campus, and he is worried about whether I could find a well paying job in my field with an online degree. (I want to work with at-risk teens, preferably at a state juvenile corrections facility.)
Can any of you recommend some schools for me, or let me know about how online degrees are looked on outside of academia? I've looked at quite a few schools, Walden and Florida Tech being my top two at the moment (they each of a specialized program, Human Services and Child Advocacy respectively).

Thanks!
Raine http://forums.degreeinfo.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

It's psychology. You may not find a well-paying job with any degree. That's just the nature of the field.

I would recommend a non-profit university with a B&M presence to hedge your bets.

 

Hi RD - Here are two other programs that you can peek at:

BA Psychology - UMassOnline.net

Department of Psychology - Fayetteville State University

There are a bunch of others.

 

Your adviser has no idea what he is talking about with respect to online degrees. I would only be concerned if the degree was from an unaccredited (or some would argue, nationally accredited) school. You may wish to stay away from Univeristy of Phoenix and other large for profit schools. However, in most cases, it doesn't matter for employment purposes. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but you will notice that a number of traditional college/universities offer online degree options. In addition to options in the U.S. I've also included some foreign schools (sometimes the tuition is much cheaper overseas - e.g. UNISA). Thanks to the Tedmeister and Bear's Guide for originally compiling this list.

Distance Learning BA/BS Psychology Programs

Acadia University Welcome ~ Acadia Home
American Military University American Public University System
Antioch University Antioch University - Because the World Needs You Now
Athabasca University Athabasca University : Canada's Leader in Online & Distance Education
Bemidji State University Bemidji State University
Burlington College Burlington College: An alternative liberal arts college in the Vermont tradition
Caldwell College Welcome to Caldwell College, a Catholic, co-educational, four-year liberal arts institution in Caldwell, New Jersey
Charles Sturt University Charles Sturt University (CSU), Australia. Excellence in Education and Research. Find a course, Distance education, Study abroad, International students.
Charter Oak State College Charter Oak State College - Finish Your Degree Online
City University City University of Seattle - Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees Online and in Class
Columbia Union College http://www.cuc.edu
Drexel University Drexel University - Comprehensive, integrated academics enhanced by co-operative education, technology, and research opportunities.
Grand Canyon University Private University | Online University | Grand Canyon University
University of Houston University of Houston
Judson College Judson College - Welcome
Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual University Kentucky Virtual Campus
Laurentian University http://www.laurentian.ca
Liberty University Liberty University
Mary Baldwin College Mary Baldwin College
University of Maryland University College UMUC
Mercy College http://www.mercy.edu
Monash University Monash University
University of New England The University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
Northcentral University Northcentral University | Online Degree Programs | Online Learning
Northeastern University Northeastern University: a leader in global experiential learning in Boston, MA
Open University (England) Distance Learning Courses and Adult Education - The Open University
Open University (Netherlands) Open Universiteit - afstandsonderwijs op universitair niveau van losse cursus tot volledige opleiding
Park University Park University - Online, Undergraduate, and Graduate Degrees
Penn State University Penn State | Online Degrees, Online Courses, and Online Certificates offered by Penn State
Prescott College Prescott College | For the Liberal Arts, the Environment, and Social Justice
Queens University Queen's University
Saint Joseph's College Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Saint Mary of the Woods College Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
University of Sheffield The University of Sheffield
Simon Fraser University SFU.ca
University of South Africa UNISA - online
Southern New Hampshire University Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Southwestern Adventist University SWAU: Home
Southwestern Assemblies of God University Southwestern Assemblies of God University | A Private Christian University Near Dallas Texas
Stephens College Stephens College - Educating women since 1833- Columbia, MO
Thomas Edison State College Thomas Edison State College
Thompson Rivers University Thompson Rivers University
Union Institute & University Union Institute & University - Adult Online Degree - Adult Distance Learning - Low Residency Degree
Walden University Online Degree University | Distance Education for Working Professionals - Walden University
University of Phoenix Online College Education - Online Degrees - University of Phoenix
University of Waterloo University of Waterloo

 

If you do a career search on jobs for people *only* an undergrad psych degree (either b&m or online, doesn't matter) you're going to be sorely disappointed...

The list at Henderson University sounds impressive... Until you realize that alot of those jobs can be had without a degree at all (well, prior to the current job slump)

And a lot of those jobs on the list actually require grad degrees in many states - Anything with the word 'counselor' in it for example, short of Camp Counselor.

And the CIA stuff they have listed there? The CIA hasn't been (openly) advertising for anything less than a Masters in Psychology for a good 10 years now.

 

This times 1000. A BA/BS in psychology is looked upon the same as any other general BA/BS. I was putting in the time and effort for an undergrad psychology degree until I realized this and transferred over to a different degree program. Even for B&M Masters programs in psychology a psychology undergrad isn't needed, just a certain number of credits for all of the ones I checked into.

 

Drexel is a prestigious university but tuition will run you over $75K.

My suggestion is COSC for your bachelors degree then look for a Masters degree. You can take courses from many other schools, including B&M, and transfer them to COSC.

My daughter is working with at risk teenagers in the UK - she took two years of a three year BA degree in the UK (she did not qualify for the third year but did receive a diploma).

 

If your interest is in at-risk youth, I would strongly suggest you look into an MSW. There are several online MSW programs, including a couple that do not require an undergrad degree in social work.

The MSW, depending on the specialization you choose, allows you to practice counseling and therapy in the same way a psychologist would, but also gives you a much broader set of skills and experience to be able to look at the whole picture of the family and the structures within the family, and in many cases, to make a bigger difference as someone who has a more complete view of the entire dynamic.

Also, in most states, MSWs have a wider scope of practice and greater recognition than masters-level psychologists, due in part to the very strong presence of the NASW in educating and influencing legislators about the social work field.

 

This is quite accurate... MSWs can also bill Medicare (I think its medicare.. Or is it Medicaid? Bleh, I can never remember) so hospitals like to keep a few around.

Most of the MSW programs I've seen come in basically two flavors. Regular and Accelerated. The 'regular' program is usually almost twice as long as a normal masters.. 60-72 credits. This program is what the people who don't have a BSW get to take. If you have a BSW, the accelerated program usually runs about 40 credits or so. (Basically, the regular program covers a lot of prereq stuff you would normally get done with in a BSW.)

I've looked at SW degree programs for myself... The programs cover a lot of interesting area, but I personally don't know if I could handle some of the things social workers deal with on a day to day basis, especially involving spousal and child abuse. That's why I'm going on a more Experimental/Clinical track for my psych graduate work. Well, that and the APA has much of the nation (including the federal government) locked down to where you need a doctorate from an APA accredited program to work as a psychologist. There are a lot of states that don't require APA programs, but you get cut out of a lot of opportunities because of the federal gov requirement, such as Vet Affairs, Military, all that fun stuff.

 

Keep in mind, social workers don't *have* to do any spousal or child abuse work if they find positions in mental health settings. There are quite a few social workers who work solely as therapists, or even who have an independent private practice as a therapist. But you do have the flexibility to do the additional things that social workers are trained to do, working in family and community support, health promotion, etc., giving you wider employment opportunities.

 

Wow! Thank you guys so much for all the advice! I went to work, and came back to a TON of info! I really appreciate it I'll be looking through that list tonight!

 

Maniac: I am currently a Youth Worker at Drop-In Shelter for Homeless and Runaway Youth. I'm wanting the degree to help me continue on that career path, and make me more qualified to help these youth.

P.S. I can't figure out how to quote things...sorry.

 

This is true, I have a strong passion for psychology but too many people think that a BA/BS in Psychology will get them a job somewhere in the field. My point was that unless you understand that it is pretty useless professionally (just like any other BA/BS other than just having a degree with the exception of fields like engineering) you will be hindering yourself if you take a massive amount more time on your undergrad when you can finish earlier and still get into any grad program you want. I've changed my Masters plan several times so far based on different circumstances but a BA should be a stepping stone if you have an interest in psychology/counseling.

If you want to be a counselor you can get a job at any hospital or clinical setting without a degree at all, counseling drug and alcohol, youth, or any other problems. If you want a professional job in the field working on your own, making assessments, diagnosing, you will need at least a MA.

 

In my experience, people who enter these social science fields such as psychology have a different value system than some others who enter other fields. Their primary motivation is not related to earning money or accumulating wealth and so appealing to them on those grounds is wasted time. Here is what I would say:

Go ahead and earn you BA in Psych or Soc. This will give you an entry level position and allow you to work with people to help them improve their lives. As you do this, pay close attention to how your program is run and how the legislature effects the lives of your clients. At some point you'll develop some senority and you might even become a supervisor. You will then discover that your values and experience become more influential. Perhaps at some point after that you'll begin to think that you could have even more influence, help even more people. You might earn a grad degree, let's say and MSW. Then you might become the director of that program. You could then go on to become the director of the agency (if you wanted such things). This would give you even more influence, not to mention more money. Then you might log back on the degreeinfo looking for a way to continue to advance. You might begin looking at MPA programs because someone once told you that you could be on the city council or even run for mayor.

So go ahead and earn that BA in Psychology. Don't let people discourage you from pursuing your goals.

 

Well said. Some people still pursue degrees for reasons other than making more money.

 

Kizmet,
Thank you for the support
You're right, money is really not an issue for me. I'm at a minimum wage job right now, and I'd still be satisfied with it 10 years from now, because I'm helping people. The main reason I want this degree is so that I can be better at what I'm doing now. I'm tired of feeling like I'm just putting band-aids on 3rd degree burns. I want to be able to help them heal.
Thanks again to everyone for their help. I've gone through the list, and LOVE Burlington College. Do any of you know anything about that particular school? The program sounds like it's just right for me.
-Raine

 

I don't really know much about BC, other than they are regionally accredited (which is important!). If you ever decide to visit, Burlington, VT is a very nice town. In viewing their DL page, it's not clear if they offer the complete BA in Psychology via distance learning. I would contact them to find out for sure.

 

Your advisor is an idiot (no surprise) because of bias. You are asking a Mc D's worker if you should go spend money at BK. Did you advisor also tell you that the number 1 undergraduate degree in the USA is psychology? Online or not, you'll need more. So the new question- can you get into a grad program with an online degree? Yes.
Back when I was doing my undergrad degree, Penn State launched an online degree in Psychology. Two actually- BA or BS. http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees.shtml I'm pretty sure a degree from Penn State is right up there with what your advisor would consider acceptable. (LOL so we hope)