Which school for a Psych Bachelors?

[sklineho]

Which of the three schools would be best to persue a Bachelors in Psychology? I know Excelsior offers one and I think Charter Oaks does, but is it really a viable option? I wish there was a good online Masters program too but I don't see one at any of the Big 3. But I'd at least like to obtain a Bachelors. I've already got a few upper level courses done anyway.

[bluebooger]

I think Excelsior offers a BS in Psychology, but Charter Oaks only offers BS in General Studies with a concentration in psychology

but the course work and requirements are pretty much exactly the same

go with whichever one is least expensive for you
(I believe Charter Oaks accepts the same exams Excelsior does)

there are PLENTY of schools that offer Masters programs online, and I'm sure any of them would accept either a Charter Oaks degree or an Excelsior degree (just have a really good GPA and high scores on the GRE)

[sklineho]

Yeah but I wonder if there are any reputable schools offering Masters programs. I've heard horror stories about people getting online Masters only to find they get laughed at when applying for jobs. And simply searching for reputable schools is never a safe bet as a lot of the info out there isn't valid.

[sanantone]

Even as a TESC alumnus, this is an unbiased opinion. If you're looking to test out of most of your degree, TESC is the best option. TESC accepts the most psychology tests as upper level credit and will give UL credit to community college courses that match their UL courses.

For a master's degree in psychology, there are plenty of online options. First, you have to decide why you're getting a masters. If you're going to continue to a PsyD or PhD program, then any masters in will do. If you're looking to become an LPC or LMHC, most states require 48-60 credit hours (or 72-90 quarter hours) plus a few hundred hour practicum. I believe in most states one can become an LPC or LMHC with a degree in psychology, counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling. For counseling programs, CACREP accreditation is important for employment. Contrary to popular belief, APA does not accredit masters degrees is psychology and neither does CACREP. Any regionally accredited school will do.

These are my favorite websites to use when searching for online graduate programs.

455 Online Social & Behavioral Sciences Masters Programs & Graduate Schools Page No: 1 - GradSchools.com
Online Degree Search Results: 1347 Accredited Online Masters Degree Programs | GetEducated.com

Unfortunately, this website hasn't been working for weeks.
Electronic Campus - Select a College - E-learning through the Electronic Campus

At the expense of offending some people, the best way to avoid reputation issues is to avoid for-profit schools. Capella is CACREP accredited, but it's a pretty well-known for-profit school and way overpriced. The best for-profits to attend are the ones that aren't well-known if you have no other option. APUS is probably one of the very few ones without a horrible reputation with employers.

[rebel100]

Sanantone...great post!

I would stick with one of the Big 3 and test out...however CSU-Pueblo does offer an online Sociology degree that is worth a look just to see your options if nothing else. Colorado State University-Pueblo > Undergraduate Degree Program I know you stated Psychology, but I suspect this degree would get you into any Masters you are looking at, at least with careful course selection. CSU would require at least 30 credits in residence (via distance). I have no idea how many CLEP's are acceptable. They have many courses online via the con ed dept.

University of Idaho has several UL psych courses for around $100/credit, self paced. Worth remembering as you chart your degree plan.Psychology-Independent Study in Idaho-University of Idaho

If "any" masters will work for you consider Western New Mexico State Universities MAIS, You can take up to 27 credits in Psychology for the 36 hour program. Virtual Campus - Online Programs the Psych Dept. Chairs the MAIS program. Taken part time the MAIS is less than $8000! Depends on your goals of course.

[sklineho]

Thank you everyone. I really don't want to do anything involving for-profit schools and that really limits my options.

I'll look into TESC. I kind of figured Excelsior would be the best option for a BA/BS considering they offer so many test-outs.

[rebel100]

Thank you everyone. I really don't want to do anything involving for-profit schools and that really limits my options.

I'll look into TESC. I kind of figured Excelsior would be the best option for a BA/BS considering they offer so many test-outs.

The EC tests are typically accepted by any of the Big 3, as are TECEP exams. You don't have to be going to EC to take the exams.

That not to say EC isn't the right place for you...they may well be.

[sklineho]

How is TESC about accepting mroe obscure credits from other schools, or did you have to deal with that? I'm referring to things such as a few lower level Psychology classes I have like "Psychology of Adjustment" but also PSYCH 2103 Human Growth and Development, which is a pretty standard course, but oddly, TESC doesn't list it, instead they list an Experimental Psychology class as the other required lower level course. How do they accept the 2103 credit, I mean does it get posted as an elective? Whaty about credits for courses they don't offer equivelants to? Do they get posted simply as general electives?

[bluebooger]

you know its not that difficult to go to each college's site and look this stuff up yourself

Thomas Edison State College: Psychology

Required Courses :
Introduction to Psychology
Statistics
Experimental Psychology

Psychology Electives (21 credits required)
Abnormal Psychology
Adolescent Psychology
Child Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Developmental Psychology = PSYCH 2103 Human Growth and Development
Educational Psychology
Forensic Psychology Relations
Group Dynamics
Humanistic Psychology
Organizational Behavior
Personality
Physiological Psychology
Psychology of Addiction
Psychology of Adulthood
Psychology of Aging
Psychology of Death & Dying
Psychology of Learning
Psychology of Love & Interpersonal
Psychology of Minority Experience
Sensation & Perception
Social Psychology
Tests and Measurements


and COSC will accept just about anything Excelsior does (TESC probably will to)
including DANTES, CLEP, Straighterline, AP, Excelsior exams, and UExcel

TESC and COSC probably accept more of the GRE as credits than Excelsior does

[sklineho]

No more difficult than reading my posts, actually. I was asking for people's experiences regarding specific classes, which aren't covered on that list, which I have actually read, more than once.