Unfinished Psychology Grad Degree - What Can I do?

[MichiganMax]

Greetings all... 

I've spent the past week happily reading through various threads on the forum. And I have to admit it's been a lot of fun and very informative. So here's my situation - I'm hoping for some good advice. 

Seven years ago I started a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology at a California private college. The program was accredited but I couldn't go full time. I had to work to support myself. So I basically was taking classes as my chaotic schedule allowed. Fast forward years ahead in time.  A unexpected illness forced me to move back to Michigan - leaving my old school behind. After two years of struggle - I'm finally feeling fine and healthy. 

The problem is that I was so close to finishing that degree in psych. I unfortunately can't afford a move back to California. I was very nearly done with the degree - I only  had the practicum and internships to finish. I've checked around at local schools. One will accept 12 of the 50 credits earned. Another won't take any. I also checked into various online programs and pretty much the same. 

However, debt is a concern. I already have too much student debt - and those programs will lump another 20k of debt on my plate. At this point - I'm no longer interested in becoming a licensed counselor. But I would like to use that damned experience for something. 

I know there are some programs that offer credit for "life experience". But I've discovered most of those are diploma mills that will give anyone a degree for $500. That's probably not going to work for me.  At this point in time I just want a masters degree that meets the following criteria: 
- Is inexpensive
- Makes use of my prior classes. 

Are there any options at any of the big three schools that would work? I've heard that the Master of Liberal studies can be tailored to fit individual interests. So perhaps a MLS - with a psychology focus? I don't know, at this point I just want letters behind my name in exchange for the debt I've saddled myself with. If that makes sense. Any ideas or suggestions?

[bjcheung77]

I have never recommended the Big 3 for graduate studies, only for undergraduate, and that is because of the price tag. Most Masters programs are not test friendly, so they are not cheap, easy, or fast. That’s a little less info to go with, it would help if you listed the school, the classes completed and remaining. Do you know if their program has gone online? Was the school Regionally or Nationally accredited? Do you have any industry certification or recognized training? Lastly, what’s your budget?

[dfrecore]

I know Capella allows transfer credits towards a MA degree. They have a competency-based MA in Psychology, called FlexPath. Can't hurt to check out their website and see what they have and if you are interested in any of the degrees.

https://www.capella.edu/online-degrees/m...sychology/

https://www.capella.edu/admissions/transfers/

[MichiganMax]

Thanks for the feedback guys:

I went to Holistic Counseling program at John F. Kennedy University https://www.jfku.edu/ which is a regionally accredited school in California. They are part of the National University system. They would only allow six credits total to be transferred to one of the NU online programs. I could transfer 12 credits to Spring Arbor University here in Michigan. Again not an online program with a seriously hefty price tag to boot.

I don't want to repeat my past mistake of adding enormous debt. Which was foolish. I was hoping there'd me some way to achieve MA or MS similarly to getting a TESU Bachelors. But it appears there isn't.

Does anyone know the total cost of a Psychology MA from Capella. I know the website states $7500 for 12 classes in 9 months. But there's always a catch. I'm sure they must find a way to keep you there as long as possible.

Thanks again for the help.

[dfrecore]

I don't want to repeat my past mistake of adding enormous debt. Which was foolish. I was hoping there'd me some way to achieve MA or MS similarly to getting a TESU Bachelors. But it appears there isn't.  

Does anyone know the total cost of a Psychology MA from Capella. I know the website states $7500 for 12 classes in 9 months. But there's always a catch. I'm sure they must find a way to keep you there as long as possible.

Thanks again for the help.

Your best bet is to find out what they'll transfer.  If they give you a lot of transfer credits and you only need a few more to finish, they might be a good bet.  But if they won't transfer many, then I wouldn't waste my time.

Have you tried calling the original school to try to work something out with them?  It certainly can't hurt to try.

[MichiganMax]

I'm going to research options with the original school. I've also sent out some emails with my transcripts attached to different schools. I did discover that Liberty University will accept up 50% of the coursework required for degree as transfer credits! Which is the most generous transfer offer I found.

I'd consider moving back to San Jose - but the cost of living is insane. And I'd be in the same boat I was before. Attempting to work and get clinical hours. It's impossible you can't. Most of the folks I was in program had spouses who worked while they got their hours. I'm single. Either that or they had a large nest egg to rely on. Others were already working for public service agencies. So their jobs were literally giving them clinical hours while they were in school.

I'm evaluating degrees and I'm realizing that I may just be throwing good money after bad. I'm going to do what I didn't before and carefully research my options. There's no need to make a hasty decision which I'm just going to regret. Also, it looks like there's no easy way out the mess that I made for myself.

So right now I'm looking at Liberty U. or Capella as online solutions. Thanks for all the help.

[Ideas]

Hopefully Liberty will take your credits. They are one of the best schools regarding transfer credits. However, if you are doing, say 15 credits at Liberty, that can still add way up because of their cost per credit. Unless you have the military discount, it can be something like $8000 just for those credits.

You should probably see how many credits Amberton will give you. If you can transfer the max there, the Master of Professional Studies degree should be cheaper.

Regarding clinical hours, I've read that many people do a portion of them through webcams. Of course states will require part of them to be face-to-face.

[MichiganMax]

I didn't know about the Amberton option... I'm checking into that. To be honest, I just want to put those damned graduate credits I earned to good use. I worked so hard and got good grades, at this point I just want the "MA" or "MS" to stick behind my name. If I have to pay those loans back, it should count for something. I was actually thinking of paring that with a certificate in something like Human Resources. Which I could then use to find work.

You guys really give some great advice here!!!

[bjcheung77]

You're not limited to only an MA or MS. I would look into those programs first, to see which one is the right program for you. Most, if not all Masters programs will allow up to 12 credits maximum out of 30-39. The MPA at Excelsior was the only exception mentioned by a fellow member, it allows 33 credits transferred in, but they're all MPA course related credits, I'm thinking your "current credits" are only useful if you go the Liberty route which will end up pretty expensive. I would keep my options open....

You may want to consider the following 3 competency based degree options. In addition to what was mentioned above.
1) Hodges Upower MPA, $3500/6 months, if you're really motivated, you can complete this in that required 6 month term.
The kicker, they are ending the Upower Competency program in 5 days, February 1, 2018. It'll be brought back to the old fashion, 12 week course and each course would have a fee of $500+/credit. Ouch, a few people have tried to apply, but their GPA for undergrad was less than the required 2.75, I would see if this is an acceptable program for you.

2) I recommend the WGU MSML, about the same price at $3500/6 months and several people here have completed it in that record time. Just like an MPA, it's geared for non profit organization - management and leadership positions. If the MS is what you want after the name, this will hit that spot at a cheap/easy/fast price point! Hodges and WGU are both non-profit, WGU has much better utility as it's recognized outside of Florida and has a larger Alumni network base.

3) An MBA-Heath Care from Patten, you can try finishing this at $3800/8 months, this for profit institution, in addition to the two mentioned above are all Regionally Accredited. WGU has ACBSP candidacy status, Hodges is ICABE accredited, Patten is just plain jane RA. But this may be a good degree if you just want a "Business degree" or check the box Masters degree.

[MichiganMax]

Thanks for the extra information!!!

Right now I'm hoping for good news from Amberton or Liberty. But that WGU degree looks interesting too. So checking into that as well. I was feeling bummed but now I'm very optimistic I'll be able to figure something out.