CAPELLA - ? Ph.D Programs / Experiences

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by jeepnbeep, May 14, 2004.

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  1. jeepnbeep

    jeepnbeep Member

    Hello.

    I will be starting the Human Services Program with Capella soon. I am still unsure about a lot of things. I was initially going for psychology but did not want to go through all the hassles of the licensure process. I have a M.S. in Counseling Psychology and will be getting licensed as Professional Counselor. My goal is to work in the addictions field or with the Vocab Rehab.

    I am not sure if I made the right choice. Part of the reason I chose the H.S. program is because it would give me better flexibility in choosing classes geared towards addictions, etc. In addition, I would not have to attend a gruesome year long internship just to finish the program and earn the title. I am just not sure if even pursuing the H.S. degree is beneficial in my career field. Did I make the right choice? Would I be able to put the Ph.D title under my name with this degree?

    If anyone out there have any input about Capella, I would appreciate it as well.

    Thanks,
    JB
     
  2. adireynolds

    adireynolds New Member

    Hi JB,

    Only you ultimately know what's best for your future plans, of course, but it seems like you've made a good decision, specialization-wise. However, did you know that you can do the PhD in General Psychology through the School of Psychology, which allows you to tailor your program to your interests? The Capella catalog does mention addictions as a possibility. This track doesn't require the year-in-residence, and the ed. psych and i/o psych. tracks don't, either.

    If you complete this degree, you will certainly be able to put Ph.D. after your name -- you will have earned it, and Capella is RA. I am quite happy with my Capella experience so far, but as I'm in a different School and concentration than what you're interested in, my input might be a bit more limited. A colleague of mine is getting ready to defend his comps next week (he's doing ed. psych.), and he's been very happy with the School of Psychology.

    Another Capella learner on this forum, Blackbird, might be able to answer more of your questions. IIRC, he's in the School of Psychology, and I think has a similar background to yours. Do a search for his name to see what postings he's done in the past.

    Hope this is somewhat helpful! Again, I'm really enjoying my Capella experience, and I hope you'll find you made the right decision once you get started. When do you plan to start?

    Regards,
    Adrienne
     
  3. jeepnbeep

    jeepnbeep Member

    Starting in June

    Hi Adrienne,

    Thank you for responding. I think I am just more nervous than anything...I am really scared about the extensive requirements of writing research papers afer research papers, including the dissertation.

    Take care,
    JB
     
  4. BlackBird

    BlackBird Member

    What kind of Ph.D.?

    JB,

    I am in a similar situation as you.

    My Masters is in Counseling Psychology and I am in line for my Licensed Mental Health Counselor designation for the state of Florida. Other states call the same licensure as Licensed Prof. Counselor. The main reason I did not go into getting a Licensure based Psychology doctorate (whether Ph.D. or Psy.D.) was because it puts more emphasis on psychological testing than what I am interested. I am more intuitive and am a very good therapist who often sees folks with major traumas having these dissolve in minutes. I know psychologists that are so burned out from administering tests, grading them, and doing reports that they hate it. They dislike that it is same ole...same ole stuff. I need more challenge than being a glorified test giver (no offense to those psychologist here who love what they do). The other reason I did not go for a doctorate in Psychology for licensure is that it is significantly longer with all the practicums, residencies, internships... not to mention that it tends to be very traditional in terms of clinical approaches (which in my opinion, most of the time does minimal change to the problems people have... it becomes a "managing the problem" issue instead of healing the problem).

    In terms of my deciding whether to get a licensure Ph.d/Psy.D. in psychology what made the decision easier to make was the fact that I would have to go to 4-6 more years of grad school after the masters I already have and I would have had to repeat some, if not, many classes again.

    In terms of Capella's Ph.D. in psychology (not for licensure) I was able to transfer in 30 semester credit hours from my masters and that reduced my Ph.D. time to around 2 to 2.5 years total. I did all my coursework in five quarters (about a year and 3 months). I am now in my comps (hopefully just one quarter) and then about a year for my dissertation. That is significantly shorter than doing the licensure track.

    As I researched my options I saw:

    1. A Ph.D. degree is the prima dona of degrees. It is the highest rite of passage academically in terms of peoples' preception in and outside of academia.

    2. A Ph.D. degree in Psychology has the most marketability in academia versus a "Human Resources" degree. I cull over employment ads for colleges and universities (and the APA Monitor Magazine) and what you see requested mostly is either a Ph.D. in Psychology (non-licensure) or a Ph.D. in Psychology with licensure. You sometimes see ads for Ph.D.'s in Counselor Education, which is still in its infancy stages. Also... I am not interested in having my Doctorate descriptive of me being an "Educator" primarily. It looks better to say that you have a doctorate in Psychology.

    3. Even though the psychologists would hate this, I can used the Ph.D. in Psychology on my door, cards, CV, etc. I am not saying I am a psychologist. I am just saying that I have a "Ph.D. in Psychology." When it comes to individual, couples, and family counseling... the public really doesn't care much about the difference, especiall if you are good. It sounds arrogant but I'm not trying to... I am very good at what I do. Other psychologists say so and send me patients/clients.

    4. Even though Capella does not offer the Ph.D. in Family Psychology that is what I am pursuing. I am in my comps now.
    I figure that with the Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Family I can hit a bunch of "birds" with one shot. I can eventually also sit for my Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist license. So my credentials would look something like: L.M.H.C., L.M.F.T., Ph.D. in Psychology (Family)

    I agee with Addrienne (sp?). You can get the Gen. Psych Ph.D. and specialize by taking the courses you want. Your degree will be general but there is flexibility to take more courses in Addictions as you want to. You can always say that your Ph.D. is in Psychology with an emphasis in Addictions. I believe that is legitimate to say.

    I hope this helps, JB!

    Best Regards!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 14, 2004
  5. adireynolds

    adireynolds New Member

    Ahh, I just knew BlackBird would be the one with the good answers! :D I learned a lot from that.

    JB, part of the "First Course" as they call it at Capella, and doctoral learning lab, is getting you into the mindset of thinking, analyzing, and writing like a doctoral student. Again, I can't speak for your School, but I started in the School of Education, and am now in the School of Business, and both First Courses had that as part of the mission, although of course the subject matter was completely different.

    I have found Capella to be very supportive of students, particularly at the beginning of their doc programs, helping to get them comfortable with their roles as doc learners. I think once you get started, and get into the rhythm of things, you'll be fine. A lot of doing DL (esp. while working) is the time management involved -- that's crucial. Start thinking about how much time you'll be able to devote to your studies and research per week, and that'll give you an idea of how many classes you can take per quarter. I like taking two, but that's all I can manage while working full-time, and I do have scant free time with that load. Some can take three, others only take one at a time. It really all depends on your schedule.

    Good luck, and let us know how your experiences go, and if you stay in the School of Human Services, or decide to apply into the School of Psychology. You might want to contact the School of Psych. and talk with an advisor, to see if they have any advice.

    Regards,
    Adrienne
     
  6. adireynolds

    adireynolds New Member

    Re: What kind of Ph.D.?

    BlackBird,

    Did you take three courses a quarter?

    Adrienne
     
  7. Howard

    Howard New Member

    Adrienne,
    By all means go for the PhD in psychology. It will provide much more flexibility. I have the PhD in Human Services - Professional Counseling Concentration because they did not have the PhD in psychology when I began the program.

    You can take most counseling exams with the PhD in psychology but the elitist psychological boards will not let those with a PhD in Human Services take the psychologist test (I believe that will change in the near future).

    But with either the PhD in Human Services or Psychology you can sign your name and add PhD in the counseling environment.

    A word of advice (if I may): start on the research papers at the beginning of the term, start on your comps and dissertation now. Any questions on how to do that email me at: [email protected]

    Good luck.
     
  8. BlackBird

    BlackBird Member

    Re: Re: What kind of Ph.D.?

    Adrienne,

    I was able to transfer 50 quarter credits (equivalent to 30 in semester terms) so that left me 9 courses (not counting Comp course or the four Dissertation courses). I took two classes a quarter. My last quarter I just had to take one course. I am now in my Comps.

    I hope that helps.

    Best regards to you and best success to you in your program at Capella!
     
  9. adireynolds

    adireynolds New Member

    Re: Re: Re: What kind of Ph.D.?

    I get it now. I went to the catalog, and realized your courses are 5 quarter credits each -- mine are 4 each, so that's why I couldn't figure it out. I transferred in 44 quarter credits, which covered all of my electives, and exempted me from three core courses. That leaves me with 4 core courses, 3 research methods courses, 2 doc seminars, 3 specialization courses, 1 professional practice course, and comps and dissertation. So, let's see, 13 courses before comps. So I'll be done with coursework, at two a quarter, at the end of 2005. Amazing, what a 1 credit difference each class can make!:)

    Good luck with comps!
     
  10. Michele

    Michele New Member

    Hello JB,

    I'm about half-way finished with my PhD in Human Services, specialization in marriage & family. I also graduated from Capella with my MS in Human Services, professional counseling specialization. I'm taking the licenced mental health counselor exam this fall for Washington State. I have a fantastic job in community mental health, as a psychotherapist. You asked whether or not it was worth it to pursue the PhD, and mentioned that you are already becoming licensed as a professional counselor. Well, if you someday want to pursue private practice, you can generally command higher fees for services with a PhD, and generally may draw more potential clients who discriminate between an MS (or an MA) and a PhD. However, it's been my experience that if you intend to be an employee, you generally will not be financially rewarded for the difference between a master's and a PhD.

    So, as I'm an employee, why did I decide to go onto to the PhD program after my masters??? That's the big question. In my case, I tailored my PhD courses (we call it a degree completion plan) around courses that I have interest in, in which I lack skills or theory, and in which I want to learn more. In my masters program, I was able to also fulfill WA State criteria for an ethnic minority mental health specialist; and with my PhD curriculum I've already met state criteria for a child mental health specialist. I also found quite an interest in forensic counseling, prompted by many of the clients I've been seeing in the past 2 years, so I took several electives in this field for my PhD and they've been quite helpful in my treatment and interventions in the real world.

    Simply put, I was not done learning after my MS and discovered a true JOY of learning with Capella's format. More courses are not at all a necessity in my career, professionally or monitarily or for status and/or advances. For my personal and profession GROWTH, however, and to keep me motivated, challenged and excited about what I do, and to provide my clients with a therapist who has the latest, greatest scholarly theory behind her practice, my continuing education in the form of PhD learning has been absolutely invaluable. When each quarter begins, I feel the excitement of a child on Christmas morning opening a present - what's inside? Each week as the discussion questions challenge me to research and write about something new, I consider how I might apply this to my work, which keeps my professional life continually renewed. I share new learning with my co-workers in the form of interesting journal articles that I discover, etc.

    You mentioned concern about all the reading/writing you will have to do. Be assured that the classroom facilitators will be quite helpful with APA format, giving you hints and direction and guidance each week, and prompting you along throughout the course toward your final paper/project. By the time you reach comps and dissertation, you will be quite prepared for scholarly writing and your confidence high. In the Human Services program, they've done some nice re-tooling this past year so that each learner will be successful with keeping up in the courses, and not become lost along the way and stonewall when it comes to completing the final paper for each course. Feedback has increased considerably (from the facilitator) in EVERY course in this program compared to before, as the facilitators have higher standards required for interaction with individual students. In the past, some teachers were very verbose, others kept it to "nice job, great references, what do you think about . . . . " I can't say enough about the caliber of the teachers' knowledge - both academically and professionally.

    Oh yeah - you have a mentor; a specific teacher who will communicate with you throughout your program as a sounding board and guide to also help you COMPLETE the journey and have a rewarding experience. You have a great deal of responsibility as PhD learner - if you are passive and wait to "be taught" at this level, you will only accomplish the minimum and if you make it through, the diploma may not mean as much to you. My advice is to jump in with intentions of making the program as exciting and INTERESTING personally as possible, so that when weighing whether or not a PhD is "worth it" yours will be a self-fulling prophesy - of course it's worth it!

    ~Michele Boudreau, M.S. (Capella U, professional counseling)
    PhD candidate, Capella University
     
  11. obecve

    obecve New Member

    You mentioned vocational rehabilitation as a potential goal. Although the Ph.D. is not required, either the human services or the psychology option would work, provided you have certain courses. Most state agencies require that you have your CRC (certified rehabilitation counselor) or that you are "CRC eligible" and most private agencies expect it. One way to assure that you get the right courses is to contact the Commission for Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. By the way it is possible to have a private practice and draw insurance payment as a rehabilitation counselor. The work is exclusively rehabilitation counseling or vocational evaluation, but it is good work and pays well. If you have furether interest in vocational rehabilitation, please contact me. I am the state VR director in Washington and serve on several national boards and could potentially connect you with the right resources. I also teach at the university level and could give you information about VR distance courses that might help.
     
  12. Howard

    Howard New Member

    Also, in private practice you will get more referrals as a PhD than you will as a MS. I had one physician tell me the day I received my PhD that he would start referring to me. When asked why he would not before he said, "If I can't help them as a Dr. how can I refer them to someone who is not a Dr." Go figure.
     
  13. jeepnbeep

    jeepnbeep Member

    Thank You!

    I appreciate everyone's input. It has been very helpful and have eased my mind greatly. I will most likely switch to the Psychology side instead of Human Services. I have no real desire in teaching or testing. I have no intention of a psychologist but like most, I want to acquire more knowledge in order to be more effective in helping others.

    JB
     

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