Psychology Masters

[dartheminence]

I am looking into a Master's program at this time, but I'm having difficulty finding schools reasonably priced and APA accredited for licensure in Psychology. Can anyone give me some suggestions?

I appreciate your time!

[TMW2010]

Masters programs aren't (and don't need to be) APA accredited. If you're looking to continue on to complete an APA accredited doctoral course (PhD or PsyD) you want a school that has a good program with a thesis. So far, Nova Southeastern's program comes to mind. I can't recommend APU's course, I tried it and (besides not having a thesis option) the facilitation (especially in the Grad-level statistics course) left a lot to be desired.

Now, if you're looking at a Master's in Counseling Psychology for licensure as an LPC, that's a whole different ball of wax.
Good luck

[Jonathan Whatley]

APA accredits programs, not schools as a whole. Further, APA only accredits programs at the doctoral level (PhD, PsyD, or EdD).

There may still be routes to licensure in psychology for candidates trained to the master's level in a very few U.S. states, but by very few I mean something like 4, and that's probably going to be limited licensure as a Psychological Associate or something.

For licensure in psychology, you have to look at a doctorate. The only APA option using significant distance learning, with short residencies and distributed regional sessions, is the PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University.

I believe there are routes to licensure for non-APA doctoral graduates in many states. For a non-APA short-residency program, the PhD in Psychology with specialization in Clinical Psychology from Saybrook University is a personal favourite. Note that when Saybrook says "Licensure" they mean that it's licensure-track. Their goal is to qualify the student for licensure, but they can make no guarantees, and they don't have the valuable currency of APA approval.

Another option is the online MS in Psychology from Palo Alto University. Palo Alto University is home of the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology which has an APA approved B&M PhD program. The online MS can track into the B&M PhD program with 46 semester hours of advanced standing. You'd still have years to completion of the B&M PhD.

Alternatively, you might look at social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy, where the master's degree is the usual professional entry credential. Sometimes a master's in psychology can be part of a path to certification or licensure in counseling or MFT – in some programs and for some states, not universally. Also, while many standard master's degrees are 30-36 semester hours, licensure-track master's in these fields are now almost always 48-60 semester hours. Expect more time and expense.

Another option is industrial/organizational psychology. A master's degree without licensure is common in this field, though please check practice laws in any state in which you might work. Here's a recent DI thread listing some DL programs: I-O Psychology Masters Programs.

Another option is School Psychology, where an Ed.S. (Educational Specialist degree, about halfway between a master's and doctorate), post-master's training or an oversized master's is also a typical professional entry credential. DI thread: School Psychology.

For programs in all these areas, expect a full-time internship/practicum requirement, (with the possible exception of I/O, only a possible exception because I know less about requirements there). Expect that securing an internship/practicum position isn't guaranteed, that it will in almost all cases be unpaid, and that you might have to relocate to meet the requirement.

I'm excited by all these fields and I'm trying to share what I know, not to put a damper on your interest, but out of forewarning being forearming.

[TMW2010]

Also, if you're looking for an online APA accredited Doctoral degree, there's only one available, through Fielding Graduate University and it's REALLY expensive - About $120-140k to finish.

[sanantone]

Only one or two states require APA accreditation, but certain government jobs require it. Some other employers might require an APA-accredited internship. I've heard it's much more difficult to get an APA-accredited internship without an APA-accredited degree.

As Jonathan said, there are other ways to practice counseling. It's different for each state, but, generally, you can get a 48-60 credit master's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or marriage and family counseling and become licensed as an LPC or LMHC. You need a CSWE-accredited degree in social work to become an LMSW or LCSW. You need COAMFTE-accredited degree in marriage and family counseling to become an LMFT. All of these can practice independently. Psychological associates or assistants have to be under the supervision of a psychologist. For counseling programs, the federal government requires CACREP accreditation. I haven't seen anything that says that most states require CACREP for licensure. I know my state doesn't. Substance abuse counselors only need an associate's or bachelor's in most states and can practice independently, but their scope of practice is limited to substance abuse counseling.

School psychology programs can be APA and/or NASP accredited. What's interesting is that NASP is not recognized by CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education, but it's well respected in the field. If you really want to become a psychologist, life would be easier if you attend an APA-accredited program. It would be even easier if you attend a ground program with funding and a tuition waiver, but these programs are very competitive. You can enter a lot of PhD programs with just a bachelor's degree.

[publius2k4]

I am looking into a Master's program at this time, but I'm having difficulty finding schools reasonably priced and APA accredited for licensure in Psychology. Can anyone give me some suggestions?

I appreciate your time!

What type of employment were you wanting to seek with your Master's Degree in Psychology? If you want to be a counselor, there are other options.

There are several universities that have programs that are accredited by agencies appropriate to their field.

NorthCentral University offers a Marriage and Family Therapy degree that is accredited by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Capella University offers a Master's in Mental Health Counseling that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

[JBtesc]

You can enter a lot of PhD programs with just a bachelor's degree.

Can you tell me more about this?

[sanantone]

Can you tell me more about this?

PhD programs like this exist in almost every subject. Programs that don't require a master's degree might give you advanced standing or transfer credits for having one. With just a bachelor's, you're going to have to complete about 90 semester hours. Some programs will let you graduate with a master's on the way. This is an example of a psychology PhD program that will let you enter with a bachelor's.
UNT | Graduate Studies | Clinical Psychology

[sanantone]

You can search for online programs at these websites.
MFT Training Programs
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) - Distance Education
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs - Directory

[dartheminence]

I was looking into APU. However, I do eventually want to be licensed to be a counselor. My main confusion is... will simply having the Master's assist me in going this route? I know I need to get licensed in the state of GA but I'm so confused over the entire process.