AMU/APU - MA in Psychology

what is a noob? I keep seeing the word with no context of what it is! lol

 

He's clearly calling me that because I am a newcomer, but its really just an excuse to try and illicit an emotional response. A typical troll tactic. But its ok, he call call me noob all he wants

 

Oh well I am a noob too then by that definition :-D So you aren't alone.

 

You do realize, do you not?, that you just called a moderator a troll. Not good, newbie.

 

I only argue when I see a mistake. You've failed to correct most of the mistakes that you've made in your posts. I hope you pass your I/O licensure test. Have a nice day.

 

This analysis is a result of icecom3's advanced training in i/o psychology.:chairfall:

 

Here are the Californian requirements;

Unaccredited California Approved Schools: A History and Current Status Report - California Board of Psychology

Regional accreditation is mentioned. No mention of APA. Some unaccredited schools can still be considered for licenses, however, they have had to be operating continuously under approval since 1999 and not had a change of address.

It seems to be aimed at unaccredited and nationally accredited schools.

 

States Requiring APA Accreditation
Georgia
Iowa
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Carolina

States that Require APA (or other strict designation criteria beyond regional accreditation)
Mississippi
Maryland
New Jersey
District of Columbia

Canada
Newfoundland is currently, and many Canadian providences are considering, accepting APA accreditation as an alternative to their own accreditation.

States not in handbook but Announced by APA
Florida (graduates after 1999)
Utah (APA- or CPA-accredited)

Government Jobs
Regardless of the state, you will find that nearly all federal jobs in psychology require a doctoral degree from an APA accredited program.
Also, there is little dispute in the psychological community, that having attended an APA accredited program adds value to a psychologist's credentials. It certainly gives them an advantage over those without it when applying for a job.

At my employer, we have a couple dozen psychologists on the payroll for our mental health services, and most of the leadership attended an APA approved program (and this is a state that does not require it).

I am a veteran now, but I wanted to be a "psychologist technician" in the military. They either wanted me enrolled in an APA accredited PhD program or having graduated with my masters from a college that has these PhD programs. The competition was that fierce.

I do stand corrected that "most" states require APA accreditation as of now. However, I stand by my statement that eventually most states will conform. Also, without a doubt, few if any online programs meet APA requirements and the ones that do are hybrid programs and struggling to maintain it.

An APA accredited program is the way to go, but this is just my humble opinion.

http://www.asppb.org/HandbookPublic/Reports/default.aspx?ReportType=InstitutionalAccreditation

Why accreditation matters

 

I suspect, like here, it is a saturated industry. I usually find with a saturated industry that the requirements to practice become more onerous and the industry tries to create monopolies in areas where they share the client base. In this country, the equivalent of APA tried to get a monopoly over hypnotherapy and exclude other practitioners such as psychotherapists. They were unsuccessful as the government would not buy it. It did succeed in making sure that our medicare system only rebated visits to psychologists though. Social workers clients cannot get the rebate.

Lawyers often expand their turf in similar ways. Conveyancing on houses and land was once the province of both lawyers and licenced conveyancers. Licenced conveyancers no longer exist after having their business taken over by lawyers. They have lifted admission criteria here to cull the number of practitioners. Plenty of people with law degrees not able to practice.

Of course, the cost to the public goes up in the process, but legislators seem to buy the crap they get served about the professional inadequacy of other practitioners regardless of the evidence. I do not disagree with the assertion at all that the APA will attempt to eliminate others from practice and have only APA approved practitioners. They enhance their market viability by eliminating competition. With that in mind, the student needs to seriously consider whether or not to pursue an APA degree.

 

I would not dispute that, I believe they would also.

I don't believe that either.

 

Hi guys,

While I thank you all for your suggestions, feedback and comments, but I fear that the majority of the thread has gone a bit south... Can we all drop the combativeness on the forum?

I understand dichotomy of APA vs. Non-APA programs; license programs vs. unlicensed programs, etc. I simply wanted some feedback about APUS's grad program, if anyone had any.

 

Hello

I started the program in November. I'm hoping to finish in early 2014 before my enlistment is up.

I have completed two courses, and am taking two more at the moment. I've had some ups and downs, but the curriculum is fair, and I've enjoyed the program so far. The schedule is generally helpful for people with jobs because you will usually have only a few assignments due in the middle of the week while the rest of your assignments are due on Sunday evening. My plans after I hopefully finish the degree are up in the air (HPSP, commission, traditional or online Ph.D), but the program looks like a strong bridge into more study on the subject.