Post Degree Blues

[cardiacclep]

Actually glad to hear there are others as restless as me. I guess it's a good thing to have motivations to keep life interesting although the endless "almost there" mentality gets exhausting. I have more certifications than most people in my field because of this restlessness. Some days that makes my proud, other days I tell myself just live in the present man.

[rebel100]

I can't stop looking at doctoral degrees...

[TMW2010]

Heck, I still have 8 weeks left to go in my M.Ed. program (on top of teaching college classes as well) and I'm already looking at minimizing my educational downtime. I'd considered doing another M.Ed., this time in Counseling, grad certs, one of the competency-based MBA programs, and other stuff such as knocking out a BSIT degree - and I've desperately been trying to escape working in the IT field after 20 years of it. I think I've settled on going for an Ed.D., which I have a buy-in from my wife and the main school at which I teach (which is good because I need to provide a letter of recommendation from a 'supervisor or other school administrator'). The sad thing is that the Ed.D. that I'm attempting to enter is looking like it will cost less on the whole than what I'm paying for my current M.Ed. Go figure.

[ShotoJuku]

I can't stop looking at doctoral degrees...

[publius2k4]

I'm feeling the same blues, having just completed my BS. I was really looking forward to not having the stress of classes and deadlines and whatnot....but now, I'm so freaking bored. I've looked at so many Master's Degree options that I think I'm going cross eyed and crazy! :roflol: banghead
I'd love to complete a Masters degree in something that furthers my career.....but alternatively, I'd love to complete a degree in something that interests me....idk...so many options!

[sanantone]

I'm feeling the same blues, having just completed my BS. I was really looking forward to not having the stress of classes and deadlines and whatnot....but now, I'm so freaking bored. I've looked at so many Master's Degree options that I think I'm going cross eyed and crazy! :roflol: banghead
I'd love to complete a Masters degree in something that furthers my career.....but alternatively, I'd love to complete a degree in something that interests me....idk...so many options!

What are your interests vs. what would advance your career? Maybe there is a way you can cross the two.

[publius2k4]

What are your interests vs. what would advance your career? Maybe there is a way you can cross the two.

My interests are all science and humanities related.....astronomy, biology, psychology, chemistry, etc... world religion, anthropology, world history...stuff like that.

I have been in corrections for over 8 years now. I've enjoyed it, but I'm ready for something else. I can't decide if I want to make a lateral career move to a different job in the same field, or make a career change.

The obvious choice to blend my interest and career field would be psychology. But I would want it to be clinical psychology, and I can't find any APA accredited distance education clinical psychology programs, and an APA accredited degree is a requirement for a license in my state (Georgia).

[sanantone]

You can always start at the mental health counselor or professional counselor level with just a master's degree. Fielding Graduate University does offer a distance, APA-accredited PhD in Clinical Psychology, but they are very expensive. They even have a concentration in forensic psychology.
Clinical Psychology, Psychology Doctoral Program, Psychology Degree

Other options would be forensic science and forensic anthropology, but you would have to go back and complete prerequisites.

[TMW2010]

But I would want it to be clinical psychology, and I can't find any APA accredited distance education clinical psychology programs, and an AMA accredited degree is a requirement for a license in my state (Georgia).

There is one APA accredited Clinical Psychology degree that can be done via DL, but it requires 7 or more residencies and costs $24,900/year with an expected length of six years, plus travel (estimated $2,400/year), Orientation/Session costs ($4,000/year) and Books and Supplies ($2,400/year) for a total estimated cost of $33,700/year, or $202,200 for the degree. But hey, at least it's nonprofit.

If you're close to Atlanta, you could go to (for-profit) Argosy's on campus Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program for a bit less. The Atlanta location has just had its APA accreditation extended for the max 7 years allowed before renewal by the APA. And Argosy doesn't require a Master's; it takes you through the full cycle there as well.

[sanantone]

My interests are all science and humanities related.....astronomy, biology, psychology, chemistry, etc... world religion, anthropology, world history...stuff like that.

I have been in corrections for over 8 years now. I've enjoyed it, but I'm ready for something else. I can't decide if I want to make a lateral career move to a different job in the same field, or make a career change.

The obvious choice to blend my interest and career field would be psychology. But I would want it to be clinical psychology, and I can't find any APA accredited distance education clinical psychology programs, and an AMA accredited degree is a requirement for a license in my state (Georgia).

When I developed an interest in intelligence, I discovered that degrees in political science, international relations, and national security studies were preferred for the non-technical intelligence positions. National security studies, international security studies, and security studies do cross homeland security with international relations. My regional studies concentration allowed me to learn about the political histories of the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The most interesting parts were learning about the ethnic conflicts in Africa and how Islamic extremism started.

I do wish I had chosen a doctoral program that is more behavioral science or health science oriented. My particular criminal justice program barely touches upon criminal behavior.