Considering an MS in School Psychology from National University - Bring the Feedback

[steelers]

I can't think of any other job that pays between 60-85K while requiring you to only work 190 days per year. It comes out to about 12 weeks off per year. Also, the average workday is 8AM-3PM and you are never working when your kids are out of school! Can you say fun summer vacations? If any of you can think of a reason not to pursue this let me know.

Because of all the reasons listed above I am considering a MS in School Psychology, with a PPS credential, from National university. The program consists of about 20-25 courses taken 1 at a time (1 every 4 weeks). You attend 2 nights a week from 5:30-10PM. Once all of the courses are completed a one year (school year) paid internship is required. It is a paid internship paying about $150 a day. Once completed you are ready to be employeed as a school psychologist. Most complete the program in 2-2.5 years depending on whether or not you run the internship simultaneously.

The downside is that it costs about 1,350.00 per course meaning the program will cost 30K+. If anybody is aware of a cheaper, faster or online school psychology grad program that includes a PPS credential (required in Cali) let me know.

[PeteDude]

On the rare occasion that you actually do have to work with a troubled youth or some kid who's got serious issues at home, you might find yourself replaying it in your head or going home frustrated.

[steelers]

I forgot to mention that my wife is already a practicing school psychologist so I am well aware of what the job entails. However, she went through a traditional university program which I am not willing to do at this stage in my life. Also, her education was paid for so cost and time was not really an issue when she went through the program.

[Basket Weaver]

Well as long as you're not working in Texas....CCU has a great Psych degree program in which you can finish much faster and cheaper. I would PM Shotojuku about it as he graduated with said degree. Lee

[barcotta]

Originally Posted by steelers

I can't think of any other job that pays between 60-85K while requiring you to only work 190 days per year. It comes out to about 12 weeks off per year. Also, the average workday is 8AM-3PM and you are never working when your kids are out of school! Can you say fun summer vacations? If any of you can think of a reason not to pursue this let me know.

Because of all the reasons listed above I am considering a MS in School Psychology, with a PPS credential, from National university. The program consists of about 20-25 courses taken 1 at a time (1 every 4 weeks). You attend 2 nights a week from 5:30-10PM. Once all of the courses are completed a one year (school year) paid internship is required. It is a paid internship paying about $150 a day. Once completed you are ready to be employeed as a school psychologist. Most complete the program in 2-2.5 years depending on whether or not you run the internship simultaneously.

The downside is that it costs about 1,350.00 per course meaning the program will cost 30K+. If anybody is aware of a cheaper, faster or online school psychology grad program that includes a PPS credential (required in Cali) let me know.

Welcome back and congrats on Stats! Your disappearance was indeed ominous. Almost as ominous as this post--as I have considered (nearly) the very same thing for the very same reasons, AND, I do regard myself as the biggest Pittsburgh Steelers fan in Santa Clarita (assumably the same "steelers"--Arians game plan for Denver was pitiful). The only distinction between your plan and mine is that I was considering just becoming some kind of teacher--not a psychologist. To that end WGU - Education Online - Teachers College, Teacher Education has received good press and looks like a good option--both in terms of price and speed. Apparently there are not many (if any) limitations to how fast you can move through the program.

Are the psych salaries higher than regular teachers? I noticed on the WGU site that there are other programs available that qualify you for other non-teaching positions--maybe one of those would be of interest?