Masters/PhD in Psychology/Neuroscience options

[Supermind]

Hello everyone.

 Thanks to the valuable guidance offered on this forum, I have been able to complete a BA-LS from TESU in the last 10 months. I am now looking to continue my journey of learning, onwards to a Masters/PhD in Psychology/Neuroscience. I find that there are several threads on this forum discussing affordable, online options for MBA, Masters in Comp. Science etc. So, I thought of starting a new thread for Psychology/Neuroscience. I have only begun my online hunt, and below is a link with some options I have identified. Please share your thoughts about these options. 

https://www.bestcolleges.com/features/be...-programs/

[ThatBankDude]

Well...you cannot really go wrong with one of the first 2 schools. LOL

Honestly, there are some good schools on that list though I am not too familiar with the psychology/neuroscience field. I will look closer when I get home as I did not pay attention to if those schools offered online programs or not for their MS/MA.

[CarpeDiem8]

Hello everyone.

 Thanks to the valuable guidance offered on this forum, I have been able to complete a BA-LS from TESU in the last 10 months. I am now looking to continue my journey of learning, onwards to a Masters/PhD in Psychology/Neuroscience. I find that there are several threads on this forum discussing affordable, online options for MBA, Masters in Comp. Science etc. So, I thought of starting a new thread for Psychology/Neuroscience. I have only begun my online hunt, and below is a link with some options I have identified. Please share your thoughts about these options. 

https://www.bestcolleges.com/features/be...-programs/

Hey, Supermind!

This is a great idea and I'd love to participate. Are you limited to distance learning at this time? I noticed that some of the schools listed have requirements for partial "on-campus" time.

As far as what to focus on, there is so much within either sphere, isn't there? How exciting. I particularly enjoy when both fields blend. I would gather that, if one chooses the neuro path, there are some careers that obtaining both a MA and a PhD would be more required, though.

Perhaps this could be helpful - I found a list of possible careers that one can take if focusing on neuroscience:

https://pni.princeton.edu/undergraduate-...uroscience

I think there's loads to be explored in blending the two spheres...for example, how meditating affects the brain, etc.

Outside of neuroscience, I think holistic psychology is on the rise as well. Here are a few masters programs that I found, just to get that idea started.

https://www.naropa.edu/academics/masters.../index.php

https://www.muih.edu/academics/masters-d...s-coaching

https://lesley.edu/academics/graduate/cl...ic-studies


HTH!

Danielle

[Supermind]

Hi Danielle.

Thank you! These links are very helpful. But the costs seem quite prohibitive. $60,000+.
Most Masters level Psychology programs I have been reviewing online, seem to have a Neuroscience element to them. So, I thought Neuroscience is an integral aspect of advanced degree programs in Psychology.

I would like online options, but I am also open to hybrid options that require me to complete a few courses on campus.

[CarpeDiem8]

Most Masters level Psychology programs I have been reviewing online, seem to have a Neuroscience element to them. So, I thought Neuroscience is an integral aspect of advanced degree programs in Psychology.

Ah, sorry I missed that! Good to know!

[Supermind]

Here are some more options I managed to find. Looking for further advice/comments/suggestions here.

https://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/b...sychology/

https://www.onlineu.org/most-affordable-...rs-degrees

https://www.affordablecolleges.com/ranki...sychology/

https://www.bestmastersdegrees.com/top/a...psychology

Is Capella a reliable option? I remember reading somewhere on this forum as to how they deliberately delay their PhD students from graduating.

[bjcheung77]

Interesting, I like to decide and try to make my own educational path with what I can afford.  The following might be appealing for you.  I would recommend these options before going for the For-Profits like Capella.  The universities below have been discussed in length on the sister site as well as this board.  Anyways, here goes...

Notable programs: I would have recommended the FutureLearn degree from Deakin (an Australian Uni) MS Sustainable Development & Humanitarian Action for $12K AUD ($8.5K USD) but it's not a psychology program.  This program is very unique and the one from FutureLearn ARU Project Management is on my Radar of possible programs to pursue...

FutureLearn/ARU Link: https://www.futurelearn.com/degrees/angl...management
FutureLearn/Deakin Link: https://www.futurelearn.com/degrees/deak...ian-action

1) Just because you have a BALS-Psych concentration, I recommended you take 4 VESI courses that are 3 graduate credits each towards Amberton's MAPD and select your major in Psychology.  From the VESI courses, take the ones that are closest to Psychology as possible since these are "education" credits.  Total cost should be ~$9K. $290 x 4 at VESI, $7640 at Amberton

VESI (Augustana University) Link: https://www.virtualeduc.com/direct_accou....php?uid=1
Amberton Uni Link: https://www.amberton.edu/programs-and-co...tails.html

2) You're an international learner, try a UK Uni... If Edx doesn't come out with their MS Psychology by the end of the year, OR if it's more expensive than this following program, I would recommend a MS Business & Organisational Psych from Coventry in the UK (top 15 school beating out Birmingham & Leeds), they use FutureLearn as their partner.  Total cost is $14K GBP, which is roughly ~$17.5K USD

FutureLearn Link: They have degrees with Australian/UK universities.  https://www.futurelearn.com/degrees
Coventry Business/Psych Link: https://www.futurelearn.com/degrees/cove...psychology

3) Since you're from India, you can study at the worlds largest distance university - IGNOU Indira Gandhi National Open University, they offer a Masters and a PHD in Psychology.  It's local and amazingly affordable for their graduate distance education programs! Moreover, they're ranked #1 in India for distance ed.  If I read that correctly, MA is $15.8K Rs and the PHD is $14K Rs (Indian Rupees, what is that in USD?!)

IGNOU Schools Network Link: http://www.ignou.ac.in/ignou/aboutignou/school
IGNOU Social Sciences Link: http://www.ignou.ac.in/ignou/aboutignou/...programmes

4) The TESU capstone course got you ansty?  Feeling the need to write some more?  Well then, I suggest getting yourself a FREE Masters of Theological Studies degree from NationsU.  rlw74 completed a BALS.SS in Sept 2017, then completed a MTS in Sept 2018.  I noticed you're going to get the BALS-Psych in Sept 2019, you can probably get the MTS by Sept 2020.  The only difference is, you get it FREE - just because you're you and I am me! (I tried to make a rhyme, anyways, there is a $25 application fee).

Nations U, they are Nationally Accredited, but it won't matter since they're CHEA & USDOE recognized - https://nationsu.edu/masters-degree-programs/

5) Since we talked about a school in India, let's talk about it further!  IGNOU has a program I have never seen before, M.Phil/PhD in Gandhian Thought & Peace Studies.  This requires a Masters degree for admission and the FREE degree in #4 will hit the spot just nicely.  You then need to take the M.Phil for 36 credits and the final PhD will be 48 credits.  Course fee is the same at $14K R's/year.  

IGNOU M.Phil/PhD Gandhian Studies Integrated Link: http://www.ignou.ac.in/ignou/aboutignou/...tail/622/2

6) Did I mention you're an international student? Well for the Masters or PHD, why not travel to South Africa!  UNISA is one of the largest distance universities in the world, probably almost as large as IGNOU.  It's not local, but still, very affordable and has a Masters and PHD in Psychology. Tuition is cheap, after so many years, I still can't find/calculate how it works!

UNISA Link: https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/...ifications

[quigongene]

A rupee is about 1.5 cents US.

[Supermind]

Thank you @bjcheung77. I will consider these options. Would you also be able to offer some sort of a critical appraisal of the links I have posted? For example, I am quite interested in the program offerings of UT-Tyler, Tuoro Uni. Worldwide, & Fort Hays State University. Are these programs worth pursuing in terms of their accreditation & other features?
Among the options I have posted, what would be your first three choices, if price were not a consideration?

[bjcheung77]

Hey Supermind, I've reviewed your links before, from the three you have listed above, UT-Tyler would be the first choice as they're part of the UT system and it's a more known state university system than Tuoro, Fort Hays, U of Cumberlands, etc which are just single institutions...  Further to that, UT-Tyler has the "neuroscience" option that you're looking for.

They are all RA which I would recommend vs NA, so I don't know what you mean by accreditation and other features.  The main thing is, which specialty or sub-specialty are you looking at within each school?  There are different requirements for these specialties or sub-specialty, and each school doesn't offer the exact same specialty.

There are some psychology programs that require licensing and some are going to have the extra programmatic/secondary accreditation.  If you are going for these that require the extra accreditation, most if not all can NOT be done entirely online. Another is entrance requirements, an example the UT-Tyler requires a GRE, Touro's MA Health Psychology doesn't.