Southern Christian University

How do you know her? Just curious how a Californian keeps up with Alaskans!

I will take your advice!

 

Her husband and I worked together 20 years ago here in California, and we have kept in touch since, he also teaches at UAF.

 

Happy New Year Holly, If you have any tips that have not been mentioned in the forum for GPA resurrection could you please e-mail me? Both my daughter and husband are working on this. Many thanks. Hille Baldyga [email protected] Good Luck in your pursuits.

 

Actually, I viewed the EDP webpage for Liberty today and was suprised to see they have a new entry "PhD coming soon: professional counseling and pastoral care/counseling.

See the updated webpage here: http://www.liberty.edu/admissions/distance/main.cfm

Have a better than average day,
Steven King
P.S. Don't worry about the world ending today, it's already tomorrow in Australia.

 

I do understand the GPA dilemma. I wish now I had waited to go to college until I really had a clue as to why I was going. When I started college at 18 I was just happy to be out of my parent's house. Immature etc. I can remember my Mom getting on my case about the GPA and how I would really regret not "buckling down"....and of course that has come to pass!

As far as I can tell there are only 2 options for people with low GPA. The best option is to take 3 graduate level classes as a non degree seeking student in the department you are trying to be accepted to. You don't have to apply for admissions to do this. You just register as non degree seeking. Then you make straight A's and make sure the professor knows you. Talk in class and be the perfect student. Be totally passionate and hopefully attempt to even have one of those 3 classes be with the Department Head if possible. Then you use those people as references when you apply to the school. By that time they know you and they will give you a shot.

Now my situation is that we are military and we move a lot. I tried to do this with NMSU and it would have worked except that the program had to begin in the fall and took 2 years. By the time I did 3 non degree classes and waited for the Fall to roll around I had no more time left to do the degree before we moved on to the next school. Of course if you can find a distance learning school then that elimates the problem. Currently I am taking a class through University of Alaska and I am making myself go overboard on every assignment. The teacher definately knows who I am because she emails me a lot making comments on how great I am doing. I will use her as a reference if I apply to UAF when we move.

If I could afford to I would take 3 classes from Capella but I can't do that without financial aid. If you are non degree you can't get aid. If you can afford to pay it yourself I feel this is the best route to getting admitted to grad school.

The other rout is to go get a second bachelor's degree. Lately I have been hearing a lot about Excelsior, Thomas Edison etc. and that one of those schools gives grades for CLEP tests. I am thinking of possibly using this route. Possibly using a lot of these tests to score high on and get awarded grades that I can possibly use to elevate my GPA. It took me 9 credits to boost my GPA by a tenth of a point. How bad does that suck??? Anyway you play you pay as Mom would say!!! I guess where there is a will there is a way.

I have been thinking of going back for a Social Work degree unfortunately the department head emailed me back and it will take me a full 2 years. It is not because I have a ton of classes to take either. It is because the way they cycle the practicums and internships. You have to do one before the other. So if that was all I did it would still take 2 years.

Now I'm looking into UAF's Guidance and Cousneling program. This would certify me to be a School counselor. Wonder how the job market is with that?

I would prefer to keep going rather than get another Bachelor's degree. However I'll do what I have to do!!!

 

Good Morning, I was looking at Lawrie Millers web page and found a listing for the Army National Guard Institute. There seems to be additional courses and maybe the option you are looking for. Be well and have a great day. Hille

 

Hi Holly,

As I mentioned in my earlier postings, there appears to be a number of relevant areas which you may benefit from clarifying with a career counselor. Primarily, there appears to be a need to focus on a specific area of study, whatever that may be, so that your energies can be directed more precisely towards defining and attaining your goals. Obtaining and exploring as much information re: professions of interest through the library, internet and through networking with chairpersons of various departments (studentsetc), will possibly assist you in narrowing and clarifying potential fields of study and interest. The issue of financial need obviusly is a factor that requires planning to assist you in achieving your objectives.

The low GPA that you refer to, is not a "make or break" situation, due to many schools awareness that numbers of factors other than aptitude contribute to this issue. In addition, there will be a time when a decision will be made based on your exploration and clarification of the above issues, and this will require careful integration of many variables including some of the ones noted above.

Discussing these matters with a skilled career counselor, who you trust, will probably maximize your potential to attain these objectives by providing a structured, and methodical approach to clarify each of the areas that you would like to focus on.

GOod luck!

 

Holley, I highly recommend Capella University! I have taught psychology for several years and the Capella doctoral program is going to allow me to sit for state boards. I have been pleased with the quality of students and excellent faculty. It might be time for you to take the plunge and just do it! Many of us have experineced bumps in the road...However, if you have the "will" you will likely complete your goals.
Good luck and onward!!!
Rob Hayes, Ph.D. Canidate
Assistant Professor of Psychology
University of Kentucky Lexington Community College

QUOTE]Originally posted by Holly:
Hi everyone. I am still looking around for possible degree programs that will allow me to obtain licensure for counseling. I want to eventually get my PhD in Psychology or Counseling. I have looked at Capella but I'm not sure at this time they will admit me. A phone conversation with the enrollment counselor who was super nice but honest made me realize that my best bet at Capella will be once I've already obtained a masters degree and have had a chance to repair my crappy GPA!!

Liberty is equally difficult to get into because of my low undergrad GPA. I just found Southern Christian whose admittance requirements are not listed on the website other than to say a BA is required. They are accredited from what I can tell and actually the format looks really neat because they broadcast classes over Realplayer.

Does anyone know anything at all about this school. I saw another posting that said they were not ATS accredited (I think that is what they said...don't know what they were referring to...does anyone know?)

Any info on this school GREATLY appreciated!!!![/QUOTE]

 

Thanks and out of curiosity what is your specialization in their program?

 

Holly, I finished the coursework in Academic Psychology and transfered into Clinical.
Take care, Rob