Schoolboy49 Newcomer I am hoping someone can provide insight into an accredited good online university. I am caught between soical work or psychology. The soical work school I communicated with was University of New England out of Maine. The psych school was Northcentral University. After researching: UNE is private with reviews from limited students. Northcentral's reviews for psych was horrid. I need some real help so I will not make a major mistake. I have a one time chance and I really need some help please. I am looking into a masters program for social work or psych.
Hi - I bumped this over from another thread. You might notice as you scan the threads that we have an active thread regarding online social work degree programs. Based on what I've read over the years there are 2 or 2.5 things I can tell you. 1) There are not many DL MSW programs. 2) There are Psych programs that will not lead to licensure (apparently a Psych Masters without licensure eligibility is not very useful) and so you need to be VERY careful about choosing a program that will lead to licensure where you live/want to live. 2.5) In the event of a tie, pick the program that costs the least. Once you have your license no one will care where you went to school. ***OK, I just noticed that YOU were the person who started the MSW thread. :yup:
I would also add that you should not take the reviews of schools too seriously. If you go somewhere like Online Degree Reviews, you will almost always find extremely negative ratings for almost every school out there. Those sites all seem to be loaded with disgruntled students and even the great schools are usually labeled as a "scam". If you want to know about a particular school, start a thread here and ask the members. You will get better information that way.
As pointed out by others in your social work thread, several online MSW options exist. If you look around this site (or use google), you'll also find online masters in psych and/or counseling which will lead to licensure as a counselor (Licensed Professional Counselor). Depending upon the state in which you live, a masters in psych can also lead to licensure as a psychologists assistant. Check with your state to see what the regulations are for each option. If you pursue an MSW, make sure that the degrree is CSWE accredited. This is very important. Best of luck.
Schoolboy49 I thank you Kizmet for the follow up. I connected Northcentral, U of the Rockies, Liberty, and GCU ( to name few) and the reviews from Site Reviews from other search engines were down right scary. I am NO softie to FinAid difficulties but some of the reviews were similar to being held hostage by FinAid Workers returining funds before proper notification (which I experienced personally), refusing to release funds for travel (that would appear that maybe all documentations were not filed but who knows for sure). Where could one actually find a honest (?) to goodness university that is not hype from their ads but true to their word? This is my last chance to get an education in counseling psych w/licensure possibilites or social work. BTW, again thank you for correcting my error and where else would I look to find the views on MSW w/i DegreeInfo. Thanks again.
If you want to practice in the world of therapy you will need either 1) a PhD or PsyD in psychology to sit for the Clinical Psychologist exam - a masters in psychology will allow you to become a Psych assistant - pretty much a clerk; 2) a Masters in Social Work to sit for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker exam or 3) a Masters in Counseling to sit for the Licensed Professional Counselor exam. There is a way to become a Licensed Professional Counselor with a masters in psychology, in most states, as long as the course work has the proper titles and you complete enough hours. This approach will also allow you to teach psychology at your local community college (if you know the right people). You can get a Masters in Psychology with 33 to 36 hours but most states require 48 to 60 hours to sit for the LPC exam - the purpose us to try to equal the MSW in college preparation. The big drawback for the LPC is that a LPC cannot bill Medicare; the Clinical Psychologist and LCSW can. If there is any way you can get the Masters in Social Work I strongly encourage you to proceed in that direction.
SurfDoctor, Thanks for that insight. I noticed that myself and realized that would be the gist of things. But I must say, they can cause wonder. Compared to social work and psych differences from RA or NA schools, just what makes THAT much difference about the schools standings on a RA or NA accredition? Schoolboy49.
Psydoc, Thanks for the feedback. That is the same info I had received from a LCSW/MSW about the billing of Medicare. Would you please clarify the Clinical psychologist vs Masters in Clinical counseling (60 hrs course)?
In most states (with which I am familiar) you must be licensed as a psychologist to call yourself a psychologist - this requires a PhD or PsyD in psychology and passing an exam developed (and controlled) by the American Psychological Association. A masters degree in clinical psychology will allow you to work as a "Psychologist Assistant" under the guidance of a Licensed Psychologist - or you could ask "would you like fries with that." Seriously, to be in private practice in psychology you must have a doctorate and pass the licensing exam.
Japhy4529 Thanks for feedback. If you rec'd a second reply, somehow I lost power and my original msg (I think) may have gotten lost (I think). I have only found 2 online MSW programs. University of New England (ME) and USC (CA). UNE total DL, no residency required, pricey. USC total DL, no residecy, requires live interactive webcam presence for classes. UNE classes are pre-recorded allowing flexiblity and only one subject per class. If you know of anymore, I would greatly appreciate your information. BTW, USC rep I talked with was "somewhat" fact of factly type attitude. She gave the info with little feedback afterwards and when I asked more questions, she stated if you need additional info send in your application w/fee and an enrollment advisor will be assigned. I didn't get a warm friendly "fuzzy" from that conversation. Thanks again, Schoolboy49
I have an MA in Human Services from Liberty. I had no trouble with the financial aid office. Everything went well for me.
