Counseling/Psychology MA - Best Programs?

Discussion in 'Nursing and medical-related degrees' started by kajo13, Jul 17, 2012.

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  1. kajo13

    kajo13 New Member

    I hope this is the right location for this thread.

    So after much deliberation, I've decided to embark on a second career in psychology. However, I'm not interested in accruing any debt just because the higher education system in this country determines that the more you pay for a degree, the more valuable it is. That's proven to be a fallacy.

    I have no interest in clinical research, however fascinating it is to read. My goal is straight-forward, one-on-on counseling. The prevailing opinions on this board suggest that pursuing a MA should be sufficient to open an private counseling practice.

    So my question is which programs are the most reputable and accredited? I assume that not all courses can be taken online if a practicum is required.

    Thanks for any input. And let me know if I'm off track on closing the door to a a Psy.D.
     
  2. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    What state do you live in? If you want to do counseling, in some states CACREP is required for MA in counseling programs. For psychology, in some states you can do things at the MA/MS level but some require a certain number of butt-in-seat courses. Start with what state you plan to practice in and find out what is required.

    Butt-in-seat?
    48 or 60 hours?
    CACREP?
     
  3. kajo13

    kajo13 New Member

    My family are moving, but undecided between New Mexico and Washington. I envision a practice with a online therapy component (but I don't think that'll be relevant to the degree needed).

    So is it safe to say that there is NOT an accredited, MA counseling, online program that leads to licensure?
     
  4. kajo13

    kajo13 New Member

    We're moving, so we're considering New Mexico or Washington state. So I'll look into both. However, is it safe to assume there are no online, regionally accredited programs, specifically for counseling?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 18, 2012
  5. Psydoc

    Psydoc New Member

    There are several places where you can get an online MA in Counseling - you may need to spend a couple of weeks at the school for the practicuum. Forgive me if I don't post the links.

    Liberty University - my MA in Counseling is from Liberty
    University of West Alabama - with a little manipulation of the curriculum. I have a
    masters in Psychology from UWA.
    Chadron State State
    Peru University
    Capella University - CACREP - but probably the most expensive of the schools. I have a PhD from Capella.

    There are just off the top of my head.

    Good luck.
     
  6. DxD=D^2

    DxD=D^2 Member

    kajo13,

    There are a lot of online, regionally accredited programs, but what you need to consider is the state requirements. I'll provide you a list of schools that offer online degrees. To be safe, you typically want to go with a 60 unit masters in either MFT or in Clinical Counseling (as much as you don't want to do this type of program, in order to be a licensed counselor, most programs requires clinical practice of some time). Please take into consideration all the courses you need. Also, you want to get into a program that supported by the APA since those tend to be better schools.

    I would recommend viewing this site to help you find online grad schools with counseling majors:

    132 Online Counseling Psychology Masters Programs & Graduate Schools Page No: 1 - GradSchools.com
     
  7. Psydoc

    Psydoc New Member

     
  8. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    First about me: I am a licensed counselor (in 3 states) with 10+ years of clinical experience. I have facilitated online courses for 5 years in 7 different programs (2 graduate, 5 undergraduate).

    An MA isn't automatically private-practice eligible. You do need to check on the policies of the state in which you plan to practice and some require courses that not all schools offer in a basic MA Counseling track. Most states now require a 60 year MA. Some schools still offer 30 or 48 hour MAs so you'll want to keep that in mind. You'll also be required (again, in most states) to do a 2+ year supervised practice before you'd be eligible to go out on your own.

    A practicum can be coordinated even in programs that are fully online. Some states do require that a certain number of courses be taken on campus so that would be a factor for you.

    Its okay with me. I have been impressed with some PsyD programs if practice is your intention (as you've noted it is). My (anecdotal, no citations will be provided) understanding is that there isn't enough additional bang for the buck. Most insurance panels top out at the rate for licensed therapists. A therapist with a PsyD is not reimbursed at a higher rate than one with an MA (I'm open to being corrected on this but I do know that the rate of reimbursement is not increased much between MA and PhD).
     
  9. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    While CACREP (as much as I loathe it) should be a factor, I don't see them being able to lobby for this change to be as across the board as previously expected. As I recall the states who have made CACREP a requirement are less than a handful and there are huge loopholes. That being said, several employers have asked me if my degrees are CACREP so there is utility there.

    I do agree (again) that you'll want to find out the regulations in the state you intend to practice in. Maybe even check with someone in the field in your area.
     
  10. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    I would add Grand Canyon University. And I would note that the practicum is not onsite.

    I'll also note that Liberty does require three (sometimes more) weeks on campus but that is not in any way related to practicum. In fact, I'm not sure how or why a school would require an on-campus practicum in an online program.
     
  11. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    I disagree that MFT (or MSW) has more utility than an MA in Counseling. That used to be the case in some limited contexts (such as government contracts).

    APA is related to psychology programs. It doesn't credential ANY counseling programs so that isn't a factor at all.
     
  12. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    I agree. And I should have noted the point about just about every program being in CACREP format anyway (even if they don't have CACREP credentials - which is just a racket but that's a different thread for another time).
     
  13. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    I agree, I think when I was researching the only die-hard CACREP state was Oregon. I had settled on Liberty's program but being active duty military the requirements were too great.
     
  14. kajo13

    kajo13 New Member

    Thanks for your input everyone. I looked into the state requirements in both Washington and New Mexico. Wow! what a difference. New Mexico just requires a core curriculum to be completed, whereas Washington requires numerous hours of supervised counseling and they look favorably on CACREP degrees. Too bad there isn't a resource that lists CACREP online programs.
     
  15. kajo13

    kajo13 New Member

    I just posted, but it disappeared to be moderated. That happened yesterday and I never saw the post. Is there something I should know?
     
  16. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

  17. graymatter

    graymatter Member

  18. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    That's 5 online CACREP schools:
    Adams State
    Capella
    Regent
    Wake Forest
    Walden
     
  19. kajo13

    kajo13 New Member

    Yep, I eventually found my way there. I'm evaluating each one. Thanks everyone for your input.

    I also compared the licensing requirements between New Mexico and Washington state. Wow! what a difference. NM - just core curriculum. WA - numerous hours of supervised counseling and a host of other items that seemed to be canceled out if you're a graduate of a CACREP program.

    And thanks for the newbie head's up. Fingers crossed this one goes thru...
     

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