Fastest / cheapest Psychology Master’s - FOR LICENSURE

[Ninjadude]

Hey everyone, I’m connection to another post I made ( https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid388821 )

I’m searching for a CACREP accredited online program in pursuit of licensure as a LMFT in Florida.
EDIT: It seems COAMFTE is the proper accreditation for LMFT licensure, not CACREP as I originally listed.

Would anyone please point me to some reasonably fast (ideally less than 2 years, if possible) and reasonable affordable programs available?

Right now I’m choosing where and which Bachelor’s to complete. I think I have enough credits to complete a Liberal Arts Bachelor’s but I wanted to check with whichever MS program I will go into that it won’t hurt me if I don’t have a psych-related Bachelor’s because then I would take more classes to do that.


Many thanks!!

[sanantone]

CACREP doesn't accredit psychology programs. There are marriage and family therapy degree programs for those who want to become marriage and family therapists. There are counseling programs for those who want to become licensed professional counselors or licensed clinical mental health counselors. CACREP accredits counseling programs; some of those counseling programs have a marriage and family concentration. The main accreditor for marriage and family therapy is COAMFTE.

[allvia]

Marriage and Family Therapist in Florida - https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions....therapist/
COAMFTE programs -  https://coamfte.org/COAMFTE/Directory_of...grams.aspx

[studyingfortests]

Is there a reason you are going the LMFT route rather than the LCSW route? Social workers, thanks to a very strong lobbying organization, have a wider scope of practice, can bill Medicare (which MFTs cannot), and in some states, can diagnose mental health illnesses, which, in general, MFTs are not allowed to do.

If you are interested in considering the MSW route, I can point you to some low-cost and flexible programs.

Also, if you go the MSW route, the programmatic accreditor (CSWE) actually encourages broad liberal arts education for an undergraduate degree; I personally know several folks who have completed degrees at TESU and then gone on to MSW degrees.

[Ninjadude]

Is there a reason you are going the LMFT route rather than the LCSW route?  Social workers, thanks to a very strong lobbying organization, have a wider scope of practice, can bill Medicare (which MFTs cannot), and in some states, can diagnose mental health illnesses, which, in general, MFTs are not allowed to do.

If you are interested in considering the MSW route, I can point you to some low-cost and flexible programs.

Also, if you go the MSW route, the programmatic accreditor (CSWE) actually encourages broad liberal arts education for an undergraduate degree; I personally know several folks who have completed degrees at TESU and then gone on to MSW degrees.

Thanks for the reply.


I'm looking at LMFT for the deeper focus on relationship dynamics over broader social dynamics.
Aside from what you shared here, are there any reasons/ benefits to choosing the LCSW track?
I could be swayed, I suppose.

It seems the degree length and licensing requirements in Florida are fairly similar, so there's no preference on that end for me.

---

Is there a reason you are going the LMFT route rather than the LCSW route?  Social workers, thanks to a very strong lobbying organization, have a wider scope of practice, can bill Medicare (which MFTs cannot), and in some states, can diagnose mental health illnesses, which, in general, MFTs are not allowed to do.

If you are interested in considering the MSW route, I can point you to some low-cost and flexible programs.

Also, if you go the MSW route, the programmatic accreditor (CSWE) actually encourages broad liberal arts education for an undergraduate degree; I personally know several folks who have completed degrees at TESU and then gone on to MSW degrees.

But while we’re at it, yes, please do send me the low-cost and flexible LCSW programs!

[studyingfortests]

Is there a reason you are going the LMFT route rather than the LCSW route?  Social workers, thanks to a very strong lobbying organization, have a wider scope of practice, can bill Medicare (which MFTs cannot), and in some states, can diagnose mental health illnesses, which, in general, MFTs are not allowed to do.

If you are interested in considering the MSW route, I can point you to some low-cost and flexible programs.

Also, if you go the MSW route, the programmatic accreditor (CSWE) actually encourages broad liberal arts education for an undergraduate degree; I personally know several folks who have completed degrees at TESU and then gone on to MSW degrees.

Thanks for the reply.


I'm looking at LMFT for the deeper focus on relationship dynamics over broader social dynamics.
Aside from what you shared here, are there any reasons/ benefits to choosing the LCSW track?
I could be swayed, I suppose.

It seems the degree length and licensing requirements in Florida are fairly similar, so there's no preference on that end for me.

---

But while we’re at it, yes, please do send me the low-cost and flexible LCSW programs!

Well, to some extent manu LMFTs will tell you their programs/training are better, while many LCSWs will also say that, and I admit I have a bias toward the LCSW.  

But, with that said, the social worker gets very similar training in looking at relationship dynamics as the MFT, but also gets training at looking at the larger systems that contribute to dysfunction in the individual, and train the social worker to advocate for their client in a holistic way that addresses not just family dynamics and interaction but how the systems and environment (family, friends, work, governmental, healthcare, etc) influence the mental and physical health of the client, and how the social worker can engage to help resolve those issues.

And many social workers have private practices where they do therapy in much the same way as MFTs or psychologists.

For what it's worth, I also know a number of MFTs who have told me that, if they had it to do over, they would have done MSW programs instead of MFT.  I have yet to run into an MSW who wishes they did an MFT, though I'm sure some exist.

[Ninjadude]

Is there a reason you are going the LMFT route rather than the LCSW route?  Social workers, thanks to a very strong lobbying organization, have a wider scope of practice, can bill Medicare (which MFTs cannot), and in some states, can diagnose mental health illnesses, which, in general, MFTs are not allowed to do.

If you are interested in considering the MSW route, I can point you to some low-cost and flexible programs.

Also, if you go the MSW route, the programmatic accreditor (CSWE) actually encourages broad liberal arts education for an undergraduate degree; I personally know several folks who have completed degrees at TESU and then gone on to MSW degrees.

Thanks for the reply.


I'm looking at LMFT for the deeper focus on relationship dynamics over broader social dynamics.
Aside from what you shared here, are there any reasons/ benefits to choosing the LCSW track?
I could be swayed, I suppose.

It seems the degree length and licensing requirements in Florida are fairly similar, so there's no preference on that end for me.

---

But while we’re at it, yes, please do send me the low-cost and flexible LCSW programs!


Well, to some extent many LMFTs will tell you their programs/training are better, while many LCSWs will also say that, and I admit I have a bias toward the LCSW.  

But, with that said, the social worker gets very similar training in looking at relationship dynamics as the MFT, but also gets training at looking at the larger systems that contribute to dysfunction in the individual, and train the social worker to advocate for their client in a holistic way that addresses not just family dynamics and interaction but how the systems and environment (family, friends, work, governmental, healthcare, etc) influence the mental and physical health of the client, and how the social worker can engage to help resolve those issues.

And many social workers have private practices where they do therapy in much the same way as MFTs or psychologists.

For what it's worth, I also know a number of MFTs who have told me that, if they had it to do over, they would have done MSW programs instead of MFT.  I have yet to run into an MSW who wishes they did an MFT, though I'm sure some exist.




I'm only interested in private practice, so that's good to hear.
And your second bolded point is interested.

Now that you mention it, I recently learned that my close friend who works almost exclusively with couples is a Social Worker and not an LMFT, like I thought. So you may be winning me over. I will also inquire with him.


"If you are interested in considering the MSW route, I can point you to some low-cost and flexible programs."
Would you send me those, please?

[Alpha]

Is there a reason you are going the LMFT route rather than the LCSW route?  Social workers, thanks to a very strong lobbying organization, have a wider scope of practice, can bill Medicare (which MFTs cannot), and in some states, can diagnose mental health illnesses, which, in general, MFTs are not allowed to do.

If you are interested in considering the MSW route, I can point you to some low-cost and flexible programs.

Also, if you go the MSW route, the programmatic accreditor (CSWE) actually encourages broad liberal arts education for an undergraduate degree; I personally know several folks who have completed degrees at TESU and then gone on to MSW degrees.

Thanks for the reply.


I'm looking at LMFT for the deeper focus on relationship dynamics over broader social dynamics.
Aside from what you shared here, are there any reasons/ benefits to choosing the LCSW track?
I could be swayed, I suppose.

It seems the degree length and licensing requirements in Florida are fairly similar, so there's no preference on that end for me.

---

But while we’re at it, yes, please do send me the low-cost and flexible LCSW programs!
Would you send me those, please?

the list is here
Accreditation Directory | CSWE

[studyingfortests]

---

But while we’re at it, yes, please do send me the low-cost and flexible LCSW programs!
Would you send me those, please?

If you want to be completely exhaustive, yes, you can check out the list of accredited online programs at the CSWE link.  I spent about a solid week going through every online program a couple of years ago.

One thing to know is that, by and large, the curriculum is going to be nearly identical at every school, because CSWE sets very strict accreditation standards that essentially lock that down.

Another thing to know is that so-called specialty tracks that some schools offer (clinical, trauma, school social work, etc) are mostly a marketing gimmick, because, again, CSWE sets the requirements for 51 out of the 60 credits required for the master's degree. So the "specialty track" amounts to three elective courses.

Most online MSWs for non-advanced standing students (meaning, you don't have a BSW going in) are "advanced generalist" programs which give you a good overview of the entire field of practice of social work, and plenty of clinical skills.  You'll find that the social work curriculum integrates the clinical skills throughout most of the courses, so you see the same skills presented from different perspectives, giving you an unusually well rounded approach to them.

With all of that said, there are (or were, as of a year or two ago) several relatively inexpensive programs worth checking out:
Boise State U
Chamberlain University (may have gone up recently when they received full accreditation)
Aurora University
Campbellsville University
Louisiana State University
Western New Mexico University

All of the above, when I was researching, were in the range of $30k to 35k all in (total) for the two year program.

Of those, I ended up applying to Boise State and Western New Mexico U.  I was admitted to both, and ultimately chose WNMU.

Many of the reasons for WNMU addressed my specific punch list:
- Flexible start time (you can choose from at least 4 start times per year, might be 6) so you don't have to wait for a fall start as with many schools.
- Fast admissions process (typically 3-6 weeks after applying for a decision)
- Program is entirely asynchronous except for your practicum class, which meets once per week for an hour.
- Very flexible schedule; you choose which classes, and what order to take them, and how many credits each semester, which allows you to adjust if your work/life balance requires more or less time one semester.
- You get to locate and choose your own practicum location (this was really important to me, because I wanted a clinical placement; at many other schools, they choose for you, and generally the placements aren't clinical)
- The program is easily completed in 2 years if you go year-round.
- If you are willing to take it in 3.5 years, tuition cost drops substantially due to a weird quirk in how New Mexico state schools calculate tuition; 6 credits or less spring and fall gives you the in-state tuition rate, and everyone gets the in-state rate for summer semester.  At the 3.5 year rate, tuition drops to around 24K total.
- Quite a bit of diversity among faculty, and a good mix of academic professors and those actually working in the field, giving you a strong experience base to learn from.
- Relatively small program (a few hundred students) so the experience is pretty personalized.

There is one other important factor to look at, at least to me: Many schools, including a shocking number of highly regarded universities (University of Southern CA is one) farm out most of their graduate programs to for-profit partner companies, called Online Program Managers, or OPMs. These OPMs develop the curriculum and all the course materials, run the admissions process, do all the marketing, and all but make the final admission decisions.  This means these schools who partner with OPMs often admit students who are not really qualified... which is reflected in the quality of your fellow students.  The professors teaching the courses have no input in the course materials.  This isn't to say the curriculum is inherently bad; CSWE's rigorous standard ensure decent curriculum. But I have heard multiple criticisms that professors are less engaged because they are essentially teaching somebody else's curriculum. And the worst part is, the OPM's deal with the school generally is a 50 to 60% cut of tuition... which means that most of these programs are far more expensive, with way more students. I know for sure that Boise and WNMU do not work with OPMs, and I'm reasonalby certain the others on the list above do not, but if that is important to you, it's something to consider.

(To be clear, other than being a student there, I have no connection with WNMU and don't benefit from recommending it, other than seeing a good program grow.)

Feel free to PM if you have other q's.

[Ninjadude]

---

But while we’re at it, yes, please do send me the low-cost and flexible LCSW programs!
Would you send me those, please?

(To be clear, other than being a student there, I have no connection with WNMU and don't benefit from recommending it, other than seeing a good program grow.)

Feel free to PM if you have other q's.

Thanks for all this info, it's very helpful!
 I'll send you a PM