Tired of comparing $ for Masters in Psychology

Hi All,

Please help. I have spent dozens of hours comparing tuition fees and trying various search terms to locate regionally accredited online Masters Degree programs in Psychology. I prefer a B&M that offers an online program but am open.

I will be completing my BS at Ellis College of NYIT (soon to be Ellis University)in 3 weeks time. I can see the finish line!

So, I am looking for a cost comparison of regionally accredited, online universities (preferably those who have are B&M but offer the DL option, but I am open), in Psychology, Masters Level.

Thank you SO much!

Kindly,
fairyrealm

 

Hi fr - I know there's Walden and Capella and Phoenix. I also know that there's the UMass and North Carolina systems out there offering such a degree. I don't know that anyone has created a comprehensive list in this area. Since you've spent dozens of research hours, you might be the expert. Creating a list that compares costs is tricky because costs change. It would be a lot of work to create a comprehensive list of Psych Masters degrees that also describes total costs. Keeping the list current by constantly adjusting the numbers as the various schools change their tuition/fees is more than anyone can reasonably be expected to do. To my knowledge it has never been done. We might be able to produce a list of programs but then you'd most likely have to drill down and find the total cost numbers on your own.

 

Hi Kizmet,

Thanks for the reply. I am a brand new user ont these boards and was so excited to find this site. It is a jewel!

Ok, I found:

Northcentral University. It looks good - regionally accredited. They do not have a brick and mortar, which is the downfall for me. The other downfall is that, from what I understand, you can not get federal loans - only private. What I was told by an admissions rep was that because NCU does not require students to complete certain "milestones" within specific time frames - a feature that they see as a benefit to working adults who need as much flexibility as possible, they do not qualify for federal aid. So, higher interest rates. Also, I saw another poster on this board saying that an employer (or someone) asked him if he went to North Central University (a well-known brick and mortar) or Northcentral University, the semi-well-known all online school. Cost was described to me as about $17,000 total for the Masters in Psych Program. They have different concentrations you can choose from, or you can just do the General Psych program. I like the looks of the Health Education concentration.

California Coast Univeristy I was quoted around $14k total for this school's Masters in Psychology program which apparently follows the MFT licensure track for California (something not terribly important to me), however, they are not regionally accredited. Very disappointing, as the price is right, but I definitely want regional accreditation.

Saybrook Graduate School I applied to this school's Masters in Psychology with a concentration in Consciousness and Spirituality. I knew going in that the tuition is outrageous (for me at least) at about $20k a year. Honestly, I was hoping for some scholarships. If these don't pan out, I can't really afford to go here. (Regionally Accredited, no B&M)

University of North Dakota I applied to and was accepted to their Masters in Social Work (MSW) program online (I am open to MSW programs as well), which I was very excited about. I also knew about the tuition going in, comparable to Saybrook's. They obviously have a B&M, but the downside to this fabulous looking program is that the classes are taught "live" via web cams, so you actually must be available to sit at your desk on specific days and times in order to "attend" class. As a student at Ellis College of NYIT, I have grown accustomed to the flexibilty of completing my work when its convenient and getting it in my specified due dates. Needing to be at the computer (when I have a long commute from work to home) at specific times won't work well for me unfortunately.

California Institute of Integral Studies I applied for the on-campus program with high hopes last year of being able to attend brick and mortar. About $20k per semester. Turns out their online version is just as pricey. Regionally accredited, located in San Francisco, very "alternative." Looks like a great school. Both of my supervisors graduated from there and both wrote by recommendation letters - it has a good rep out our way. Again, pricing issues.

Pacific Graduate Insitute and The Institute of Transpersonal Psych are another two B&M, private schools with online MA's in Psych, but they are around the $20k per year range. Out of reach.


Thank you , and I look forward to your help!

Kindly,
Fairyrealm

 

My advice - pick out all the state universities in your area. Start with your own state and then draw all those concentric circles. In general, the state universities are going to be the least expensive. Be careful to take into account the fact that some might charge out-of-state tuition. Good luck.

 

Are you looking simply for a RA graduate program in Psychology, or is your ultimate goal to be licensed/certified as a mental health counselor?

 

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for the question. Simply a RA Grad program in Psych. I work in non-profit, and our agency requires a masters for management positions.

Thanks!

Fairyrealm

 

The University of West Alabama has a Master's in Counseling/Psychology at about $11K total cost - http://online.uwa.edu/masters.asp

Fort Hays State University has a Master of Liberal Studies with a concentration in Psychology (not sure if that would work for your situation) at about $6.6K total cost - http://www.fhsu.edu/mls/conc/cspsych.shtml

Would a Master's in non-profit management satisfy your job requirements?

 

I believe it would!

 

Hi Bruce,

Thanks much! I looked at the Fort Hays one... on their site (using the link you provided), it says of the Psych concentration: "This concentration is not available through distance education. "

I appreciate your help. Please let me know if you come across anything else.

Kindly,
Fairyrealm

 

Yes, but is this something that interests you? Be sure to select subject that you are passionate about. It will make your studies that much easier.

Good luck!

Tom

 

Bumpity...

 

What does "bumpity" mean?

 

Seriously though:

"To bump a thread on an Internet forum is to post a reply to it purely in order to raise the thread's profile. This will typically return it to the top of the list of active threads." source.

 

Have you looked at the MA in Interdisciplinary Studies at WNMU? They offer a concentration in Psychology. You can then specialize in one of two other subjects. Tuition is very reasonable if you are an out-of-state student carrying less than six units. They offer psychology classes all terms including summer. If you look are looking to complete the program ASAP, the six unit limit for tuition might make it seem a bit long. But they allow you to transfer six units into the program and there is not six unit limit for summer. So if you start in the spring you could potentially be done in a about a year and a half.

 

It means that someone who was interested in this thread was trying to save it from the oblivion of page 3 by bumping it back up to the top of page 1.

 

LOL!
(laughing out loud, for the uninitiated)

 

Six hours is both the maximum for New Mexico's in-state tuition and the minimum for federal student loans. Thus, at 6 hours a term, a January 2009 start date would produce a December 2010 graduation date ... with a relatively low indebtedness.

 

I'm sorry. That is TOO funny!!!

 

Apologies for digging up this old thread... Hoping we can update it.

Looking for an RA MS in General Psychology to take a few courses for a project... possibly 18 semester hours.

Does anybody have some ideas on inexpensive DL RA MS Psychology programs out there? Licensure is not an issue.

Thanks!