Obtaining a certification, high school diploma, or college degree through a distance learning school is beneficial to anyone who can not attend a traditional classroom setting. The most important consideration when choosing a distance learning school is verifying the school is accredited. Accreditation means that the school has been evaluated by an agency or group of representatives from an agency that ensure the curriculum and educational program are at or above accepted educational standards. Accreditation can be regional, national or professional. The United Stated Department of Education (USDE) and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) are the 2 most valuable sources of accreditation agencies. By contacting the USDE or CHEA one can verify the accreditation status of a distance learning school. In some industries, a distance learning school with an accreditation from a professional agency is just as important as a regional or national accreditation. If one is pursuing a psychology degree for example, choosing a distance learning school that has been accredited by the American Psychological Association is vital. Employers in the healthcare field will be looking for the professional accreditation from the American Psychological Association as verification that the degree program is educationally sound. A distance learning school may not yet be accredited but be in the process of being evaluated by an accrediting agency. Each individual considering a distance learning program needs to know if his or her profession will accept a degree from an unaccredited distance learning school. Finding a fully accredited distance learning school is not difficult as long as the appropriate agencies such as the USDE and the CHEA are consulted.
Comments Off
There are many types of distance learning psychology degree programs available. Bachelor’s degrees in psychology, human behavior, and behavioral science are available through distance learning colleges. Distance learning psychology masters programs include psychology, counseling, human behavior, forensic and organizational psychology. PhD’s in psychology and clinical psychology are available. Capella University is a distance learning psychology school that offers masters and doctorate degrees in many areas of psychology. All coursework can be completed online, but several weeks of attendance at educational seminars or colloquia are required to complete the degree programs.
When choosing a distance learning psychology school it is very important to consider all the steps in ones educational journey. In order to practice in the field of psychology outside of a lab or clinic, education beyond a master’s degree is necessary. Only graduates of doctorate programs are authorized to write a prescription which earns them the title of psychologists rather than counselors. If planning on moving forward towards a masters or doctorate, the student should plan ahead and know where he or she intends on transferring. The student should meet with the university, whether it is a traditional school or a distance learning psychology school, and verify that all credits earned will be accepted as transfer credits.
As with all distance learning degree programs, accreditation of the distance learning psychology program is vital. The Committee on Accreditation is the official accrediting agency of the psychology profession. Accredited programs can be accessed through the American Psychological Associations website. At this time, there are no distance learning psychology programs that are conducted completely away from the classroom that are accredited by the Committee on Accreditation. There are some online courses that are part of traditional programs which are accredited, but no complete programs. This information is critical when considering a distance learning psychology degree. A degree from a school not accredited by the Committee on Accreditation may not lead to as many job or salary opportunities as a traditional psychology degree.
Comments Off