so my current situation:
Currently a Psychology major at a traditional university and on track for graduation by end of 2011-2012 school year.
While I definitely plan to go through medical school in the future, unfortunately I would still have some unsatisfied course requirements post graduation.
My current plan is to apply to a online Masters program.
Possibly the CACREP-accredited MS in Mental Health Counseling offered by Walden University. Completion of this program would supposedly (yet to confirm specifically with advisers) set me in the direction towards LPC licensure if I so opt to.
I feel that an online degree would afford me the time to gain valuable work experience. I can also finish up my medical school requirements in the process without feeling like I am at a “stand still.”
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I am looking for opinions and suggestions, given my situation, if there are more appealing or worthwhile alternatives that I am unaware of or may have overlooked.
Alternative suggestions for online university/programs are also welcomed, as well as comments and thoughts regarding the “help” or “harm” an online degree would potentially have on my application to medical schools in the future.
First of all the CACREP doesn’t matter…you’ll have a hard time finding a program that is not CACREP because it’s a requirement for students in 49 states. With that being said you need to consider where you are planning to go for you MD. Look into that school/s and if it is even remotely prestigious I would count Walden out.
Unfortunately, and I know this because my wife is a psych major, there are not very many brick and mortar MS in Counseling/Psych online degrees. I found one a while back that was decent and I’ll try to find it and post it here. Look into Capella if you are going to go the route of an online university…they get better student reviews.
Found it! It’s an MSW from USC, and if you didn’t know many Therapists are MSW’s and this will still allow you to go to med school. Not to mention that USC is a damn good school. Also I think the MSW goes in place of the LPC. You can also pick a mental health concentration.
Thanks for the quick response rupert421.
Capella does seem like a viable alternative consideration. I will have to spend more time looking in the two school in comparison.
I have actually encountered information regarding MSW before in my plannings.
Although my asperations goes beyond master-level practice, I have decided during prior considerations that I would prefer to build and maintain academic and professional identity consistent of a psychotherapist/LPC rather than a social worker/LCSW.
I have also encountered two piece of information previously that influenced my decision for a LPC-track Master over a MSW. First one is the potential legislation that would grant therapist to bill medicare just as social workers can and the increased concerns for LCSW to work in private practice in some areas compared to LPCs. (although all of these are online information I have gathered and have yet to confirm with any advisors yet.)
It’s my understanding that with an MSW you can still obtain LPC status. Even if laws do change you are planning on attending an MD program and your masters will be irrelevant at that point. However, if you are planning on attending a reputable MD program then I would say 100% to avoid online institutions such as capella, walden, UofP, Kaplan, Ashford, ect… Best of luck!
This brings me to my other main concern if I were to decide to take this path, Rupert421 if you have any insight on the following issue please let me know if you have time.
Can spending two years at a online university, like walden or capella, while I finish my requirements, actually have a negative effect on my chances of acceptance to med school? (perhaps being viewed in a bad light?)
This is opposed to purely focusing on completing the requirements without any extra side endeavors. (which would presumably take lesser time)
Anyone else have any insight on this or previously mentioned matters, please enlighten me.
Thank you for your time.
From what I understand no matter were you go the MD program for Psch is going to require an MS so I would think that it will matter, but again this brings me back to my original thought which is…where do you plan to go for Med school? And just to clarify are the additional requirements your’re talking about Pre-med?