Christian counseling PhD

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by jmowery3, Aug 9, 2013.

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  1. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    Which was what I meant. The LU PhD Counseling programs changed leadership back in 2008-09 and seems to be shrinking (my grandmother used to say "growing like a bar of soap" meaning that it isn't growing but shrinking). I'm still on their email list even though I've graduated and it seems that they keep having to cancel intensive courses due to low enrollment. A friend of mine recently had a doctoral level class and he said that more than 1/2 of the students in the class were MA students who took the course as an elective.
     
  2. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    That is EXACTLY what I would recommend (and EXACTLY what I did). While classmates worked part-time jobs, served as underpaid TAs, and later did unpaid internships, I continued in my clinical practice and supported my family (of 8!).

    Keep in mind that "full-time" at the doctoral level is 6-9 credit hours per term. So that's only 2-3 classes.
     
  3. Phdtobe

    Phdtobe Well-Known Member

    Tuitions have been steadily increasing at LU. Also, so has been their marketing. Every few days there are emails about enrolling now for a chance to win something. With that said LU is still one of the better places to attend.
     
  4. jmowery3

    jmowery3 New Member

    Glad we cleared up the "bar of soap" issue. So you, Graymatter, pursued your doctorate while working as a clinical practitioner. Did you own your own practice or did you work for someone else and about how many hours a week do you work if you don't mind me asking?
     
  5. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    True. I paid $100 more per credit hour in 2012 than I paid in 2007.
    True. Lots of marketing.

    Doesn't change my speculation that the PhD Counseling programs aren't growing as expected but are indeed shrinking.
     
  6. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    Yes. I received my MA in '03. I worked as an LPC for 3 years (long enough to get my license) and started a PhD program in '07. Our family moved 250 miles to attend a blended PhD program. The first year (2007-08) I was a TA for 15 hours a week and worked at a community mental health center for 30 hours a week. We had 3 children under 5. I took off 2008-09 (following the suicide of my best friend among other significant drama). When I returned in 2009-10, I took a leadership position at the mental health center (and did not return as a TA). By then, we had 2 more children. In 2011-2012, I resigned my clinical position because I just couldn't keep up with my dissertation deadlines. I juggled writing and facilitating online classes for 7 programs (and did some consulting and supervision on the side). Since then we've had another 2 children.

    So... worked full-time (as LPC and then online faculty). Supported my family (my wife homeschools our school-aged children). Paid Ca$h for my PhD (and paid off my small MA loan).

    During that time, the marketing mentioned earlier was pushing MA students to go straight to a PhD. Those that do will end up working low-paying non-resume-building jobs. I advised them (and you) against that plan. It makes WAY more sense to concentrate on acquiring licensure before a PhD - especially if you plan to do clinical work later.

    Instead of graduating with a degree and little/no experience (and money), I graduated with 10 years of clinical experience in addition to a (paid-for) PhD.
     
  7. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    yeah......
     
  8. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Ooooooh. Okay, I get it now. :dunce:
     
  9. jmowery3

    jmowery3 New Member

    Thanks for sharing all that with me; sorry for your lose. I have more questions for you, I have just been really busy I'll get back with you though
     
  10. jmowery3

    jmowery3 New Member

    Does anyone have any advice on supervision? Don't know much about it yet, so I'm not sure what specific questions to ask.
     

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