PhD versus 2nd Masters

[sanantone]

Most master's programs are more than $12k, but I don't think $18-22k is much more expensive considering how many credits doctoral programs require. There are master's degrees in divinity, counseling, and social work that have as many credits as post-master's doctoral programs.

[TMW2010]

Obviously it's going to be different for the different programs out there. A huge chunk of it is if there's any type of credential or licensing involved. As an example, most of the counseling Masters that I've priced have been in the $30k range. For the most part, they run 60 credits due to state requirements, but there are some that are 45 (which would be rather useless for those states that require 60 credits to be licensed, and a lot do). Then you have the whole RA/NA debate and For-Profit/Not For-Profit and Private/Public divisions. NA tends to be cheaper, & For-Profit is usually, but not always, on the expensive side of things. Public can gouge you just as much as Private if you're out of state. And, colleges that have specific programmatic certification tends to run a little higher as well.

I know we tend to find ways to do education as cost-effective as possible around here, but past the bachelor's degree, you really will tend to start focusing what works for you and sometimes there's just not getting around a higher cost on it, especially when it comes to programmatic accreditation requirements (if any), state requirements (if any) or other requirements, personal or professional. And then it all goes south when you start factoring in paying for the school name.

And TBH, I haven't found an online (non-APA accredited) Psych doctorate for less that about 45k. The one DL APA accredited Psych Doctorate that's available (and always under review by the APA, it seems) looks to run somewhere around $200k. I could go to a local B&M (two of which are APA accredited, both of which are about 1.5 hours away, one's public/state and one's private and expensive as all get out) and pray that I can be one of the 0-3 people they take each year and give my life away for about 5 years. The state school says that if accepted, you have to fully dedicate yourself to the program and that you are encouraged heavily not to have any outside commitments (no job that's not involved with the program, etc.). At my age, with a family, I can't do that.

So, I'll be happy with my $22k doctorate.

[burbuja0512]

Interesting conversation... I still haven't decided what will be my long-term educational goal. I am leaning towards 2nd masters. The comments here and my thoughts about it suggest that it would probably be a better fit, but I really need to think hard before jumping into something like this...

[rebel100]

I don't know, PhD is attractive, but unless someone else funds it I don't think I'll go down that road. By fund it I mean both the cost of the program and the associated costs like my time.

I like the concept of Masters Certificates and 2nd Masters degrees very much. I would add that I would want them from the most solid well known schools possible though. I like the programs I'm seeing from flagship universities like Penn State and the University of Florida, a cert or degree from one of them would shine the resume, I want access to alumni networks and the attention of hiring managers that love college football, lol. I also really like the innovative programs like those offered through Harvard Extension...I am coming to believe that the Harvard brand is like a size 15 tasseled loafer in the door. Hiring managers seem to bring them in just to see if they are all that...and end of the day that's why most of us go to school...to polish the resume and get our foot in the door of the next opportunity.

[rebel100]

The Doctor of Public Administration at Valdosta State University is around $18k. .

This is the one doctorate that makes me rethink my position above...it's actually cheaper than many Masters, if I could figure out exactly how to fit it into a career plan I might go for it. Valdosta is only a 4 hour drive for me too.

[burbuja0512]

I don't know, PhD is attractive, but unless someone else funds it I don't think I'll go down that road. By fund it I mean both the cost of the program and the associated costs like my time.

I like the concept of Masters Certificates and 2nd Masters degrees very much. I would add that I would want them from the most solid well known schools possible though. I like the programs I'm seeing from flagship universities like Penn State and the University of Florida, a cert or degree from one of them would shine the resume, I want access to alumni networks and the attention of hiring managers that love college football, lol. I also really like the innovative programs like those offered through Harvard Extension...I am coming to believe that the Harvard brand is like a size 15 tasseled loafer in the door. Hiring managers seem to bring them in just to see if they are all that...and end of the day that's why most of us go to school...to polish the resume and get our foot in the door of the next opportunity.

I agree with you on getting the shiny brand name on the resume. A college degree meets a check box and frankly, I don't think that a Big 3 degree is any better or worse than your average college. (with the exception being when you attend the LOCAL state U. People love the local state U, but if you move, any advantage is gone)

My Big 3 check-box degree has been overshadowed by my rather cool masters program. My MBA university was well-known and respected in Colorado, but not nationally so I would love to have a top name on the resume. I don't know how much it would increase the chances of me advancing my career significantly, but it would boost my ego. ha ha ha.. no seriously, there are times and places where a top degree will help. Overall, I think they're totally unnecessary, but I am fairly certain that if I go back to school, I would strongly consider the college brand as a top factor in my decision.

I don't think that my thought would be the right choice for everyone, but hey, we're talking about totally "unnecessary" education anyhow, so why not think of an ideal scenario?

[sklineho]

I looked at the cost of a doctorate. I plan on finishing my master's in 18 months, God willing. I told myself that I'm just not interested in going that far but I did want to know what programs were available. However, when I saw the cost, :ack:

One other thing to consider is that many doctoral programs offer assistantships and other methods by which you can get the degree for little or nothing. For example,, many will pay you for your classes as well as offer a stipend (usually not a very good one but it's something) in return for research assistant work or you teaching some undergrad courses.

[sklineho]

Obviously it's going to be different for the different programs out there. A huge chunk of it is if there's any type of credential or licensing involved. As an example, most of the counseling Masters that I've priced have been in the $30k range. For the most part, they run 60 credits due to state requirements, but there are some that are 45 (which would be rather useless for those states that require 60 credits to be licensed, and a lot do). Then you have the whole RA/NA debate and For-Profit/Not For-Profit and Private/Public divisions. NA tends to be cheaper, & For-Profit is usually, but not always, on the expensive side of things. Public can gouge you just as much as Private if you're out of state. And, colleges that have specific programmatic certification tends to run a little higher as well.

I know we tend to find ways to do education as cost-effective as possible around here, but past the bachelor's degree, you really will tend to start focusing what works for you and sometimes there's just not getting around a higher cost on it, especially when it comes to programmatic accreditation requirements (if any), state requirements (if any) or other requirements, personal or professional. And then it all goes south when you start factoring in paying for the school name.

And TBH, I haven't found an online (non-APA accredited) Psych doctorate for less that about 45k. The one DL APA accredited Psych Doctorate that's available (and always under review by the APA, it seems) looks to run somewhere around $200k. I could go to a local B&M (two of which are APA accredited, both of which are about 1.5 hours away, one's public/state and one's private and expensive as all get out) and pray that I can be one of the 0-3 people they take each year and give my life away for about 5 years. The state school says that if accepted, you have to fully dedicate yourself to the program and that you are encouraged heavily not to have any outside commitments (no job that's not involved with the program, etc.). At my age, with a family, I can't do that.

So, I'll be happy with my $22k doctorate.

With a counseling degree you also have to pay attention to CACREP accredited programs. They cost more but are worth it. I'm in one that will cost me over 40K but it's CACREP and at a ranked university with prestigious professors in the field that have already allowed me to make very solid networking connections. So you get what you pay for.