PsyD Grad from SCUPS finds work at Long Island University

At least according to the SCUPS web site.

http://www.scups.edu/university_info/news.asp#newsid21

-S

 

There is a man by that name listed on the university's web site:
http://www.cwpost.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/edu/counsel/faculty.html

Whatever. SCUPS doesn't have a great rep, but it's not a mill.

 

I noticed a coup,e of folks listed a P.D. degree from Long Island University. What is a P.D.?

 

Professional Diploma. This credential is awarded to individuals who complete approximately thirty credits above the masters degree.

 

Thanks

 

.... of which, I might speculate was the more compelling underlying consideration for appointment, along with prior experience, background, special skills...etc, versus a credible requirement that could be satisfied by a completely unaccredited doctoral degree.

Of course, SCUPS can make good use of the impression that it makes for marketing purposes...and they do.

Tom

 

I wish Dr. Colangelo the best of luck in his career. If I were to wonder about whether it was the PD or the PhD that got him his job I guess I'd try to check on
1) his date of hire at the university
2) the conferral date of his PhD
We've sometimes been presented with such instances and frequently come away wondering whether the unaccredited PhD was really necessary for the job or whether it was all the prior achievements that did the trick. We'll never know.
Jack

 

Jack,

As usual, your points are good. Additionally, a brief scan of the complete faculty list (A through Z) from LIU's CW Post Campus reveals that a substantial number of professors hold a masters or PD as their highest degree, so it is hard to say affirmatively one way or another. However, it certainly does not appear that a doctorate is a minimum requirement for a faculty position.

http://www.cwpost.liunet.edu/cwis/cwp/faculty/faculty.htm

In any case, I join you in wishing him the best of luck with his career at LIU.

Tom

 

Simon,

How does the P.D. usually work? Is it usually given out by certain universities and not others?

Craig

 

It may be of note that some universities and colleges call their PD programs CAGS or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study

 

The P.D., also know as the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study, is offered by certain universities to indicate a higher level of academic achievement beyond the masters degree within a specific field such as counseling. No more, no less. The majority of individuals who obtained this certificate did not intend to pursue doctoral studies. This certificate could be used in the field of education to make one eligible for a higher pay tier. However, it never achieved much credibility or popularity due to its not leading to a terminal degree.

 

I would agree with simon with only one addition. Every CAGS program I have seen awards CEUs (you need these to continue to be licensed). Many people pursue these programs toward that end and have no intention of using their CAGS (which frequently sits in a file folder in some lonely file cabinet) for the purpose of obtaining an academic position (although I suppose it might serve some purpose in that regard).
Jack

 

The P.D. and CAGS appear similar to the Ed.S. or Sp.Ed. used a lot in middle America for the school psychologist credential, psychometrist credential, superintendant certificate, or special education administrator certificate. There are also a number of schools that offer the Ed.S. in vocational evaluation. Under most circumstances these are degrees that take 36 emester hours past the masters degree and typically do not require a thesis.

 

After completing 36 hours past a masters, why not just go for broke and finish up with a doctorate?

Inquiring mind(s) want to know.

- Tom

 

I never heard of the PD before.

I thought the M.Phil. was the degree for those who were "all but dissertation".

 

Could it be because of a little thing called the dissertation?

I am sure there are a lot of people that want to obtain a degree beyond the masters level that are just not up for the work, have the commitment, or the desire required to complete a dissertation. Degrees like the EdS and the SpEd are a good compromise. Or, for some, they may have just run out of steam and/or money for the doctorate and the degree is then awarded as opposed to say, merely having 36+ semester hours beyond the masters degree.

 

I've seen the CAGS used in community college settings, which seems to give instructors more prestige and indicates a higher level of subject matter expertise.

Dave

 

Let's be realistic. Not everyone is capable of completing a doctorate. In fact only very few are capable of obtaining this credential. Because one is able to complete a masters degree does not serve as any indication that they possess the academic/research competencies necessary to complete a Ph.D Program.

 

Actually it may not only be about dissertation or running out of steam. A number of states control or limit the doctorate to certain flagship universities. Not everyone can physically move to get the degree and the programs often don't have room. A couple of examples might help. In Nebraska, only UNL and UNO can offer doctorates. However there is a need for psychometrists, school psychologists, and superintendants in other parts of the state. Chadron State and Un-Kearney both offer Ed.S. degrees for school superintendant certificates. The APA recognizes the Ed.S. as a credential for school psychologist and a number of universites (e.g. New Mexico State University in my current home state, or Emproria State, where I grew up). In Chadrons's case and UN Kearneys' case they are in remote areas and meet very real local area needs and specifc credetnials for people to do the work. In the case of ESU or NMSU, it is a very practical issue, the ED.S. qualifies people to do pscyhological testing in the schools. In the case of most Ed.S. offerings they are often (not always) in non-doctoral granting insitutions that still have local area academic and professional skills that are needed. A couple of other examples would include George Washington University and the Univeristy of Northern Colorado. Both offer Ed.S. degrees in vocational evaluation. Vocational evaluation is a rather limited field (only 13 master's degrees in the country, and a few other schools that offer it as a minor). People typically get their master's degree in rehabilitation ocunsleing and then later specialize in vocational evaluation with the Ed.S. They are able to consult with industry, schools and work in private practice. In the case of UNC and GWU they are meeting a specifc niche in the market place. I am sure there are other examples, but these are ones I have some klnowledge about.

 

Thanks to everyone here for enlightening me on the value of the PD/CAGS designation.

Have a happy new year!

- Tom