I often seem to be dealing with multidimensional clutter. I think it's mostly a problem - a really difficult problem - but maybe sometimes it's an opportunity.
Why all the clutter? Some of it may be my personality type (a Myers-Briggs "P" - we like options and have trouble with closure and throwing things out). Some is lack of time. Some is probably learned behavior.
Also circumstances. For me, there are a lot of ways to categorize clutter. A lot, but not all, is self-inflicted. A lot is also externally imposed - my occupation and personal life create time clutter as well as space clutter. I also came into a number of family artifacts - old photos, furniture, etc. - that something meaningful needs to be done with.
There's a high cost to it - it limits both current operations and future pathways. At the same time, life-as-a brainstorm seems to work well for me, but there's a kind of optimum point past which it becomes a handicap.
With some clutter, there also seems to be a compound-interest factor - it can go from challenging to bad quickly.
Besides resolving to do better and wishing for more hours in the day and a bigger home, I may need better tools. One thing that looked promising was a mailroom literature organizer with mail slots, so that daily mail could be categorized.
One interesting website: http://unclutterer.com/
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
MS in Technology Commercialization
After seeing the Texas program in the Sept Fasttrack and doing some searches, I was stunned: "technology commercialization" as a search term is way hot, especially for life-hack graduate degrees.
Lots of hits, not just in North America. But they ain't cheap. Trying to solve the problem of bang-for-the-buck. I hope there's a lot of bang, because the ones so far all involve a lot of bucks.
Programs:
Univ. of Texas MSTC: http://www.ic2.utexas.edu/mstc/
Unfortunately this is an "elite executive degree" which means it's probably expensive and not very accessible - not factors if you can get an employer to send you and pay for it, but if you're trying to do your own lifehack, not realistic. Candidates learn to identify and evaluate emerging technologies, identify customers and marketing strategies, develop broad, flexible business plans, build a high-functioning management team to drive the new venture, devise approaches for securing funding and manage and protect intellectual property. Also see http://www.uniguru.com/studyabroad/United-States-courses/Master-Science-Technology-Commercialization-course-details/cseid/602082/cid/72181/programs.html for this and other interesting leads.
====
Northeastern Univ. MSTC: http://www.cps.neu.edu/mstc/
Online (good) - $514 per quarter hour. A MSTC degree is 40 quarter hours (? - courses are 3 hours each), so the whole thing ends up costing over $20000. Does anyone else think that's a lot of money? Wonder if you ever make it back. Still, looks interesting and the individual course tuition could be worse.
====
Penn Master of Technology Management: http://www.emtm.upenn.edu/companies/industries/technology_commercialization.html
Probably $expensive$ but Penn is an Ivy League school, so prestigious. Prestige might be worth paying for.
====
Maryland MS in Telecommunications: http://www.telecom.umd.edu/current/OTC.html -- comes out of their Office of Technology Commercialization.
Also see their UMUC Doctor of Management: http://www.umuc.edu/programs/grad/dm/
Requires 48 hours of classes plus research. Fall 2009 tuition is $1087 a credit - the 48 credits will run a cool $52176, assuming the tuition doesn't increase (it will).
====
NIH/FAES: http://www.faes.org/graduate_school.htm
Interesting program if you're in the Washington DC area and can get to NIH (not online), but doesn't lead to a degree; none of FAES's courses do. You can get a 15-credit "certificate" (5 courses) in Technology Transfer. Courses are $345 a credit so that works out to $5175 outlay plus books plus getting there.
If you try to transfer these credits, no guarantees. Most graduate programs won't transfer more than 6 hours (2 courses). Something to consider.
====
Also see http://www.slideshare.net/infoDevSlides/technology-commercialization-handbook .
Lots of hits, not just in North America. But they ain't cheap. Trying to solve the problem of bang-for-the-buck. I hope there's a lot of bang, because the ones so far all involve a lot of bucks.
Programs:
Univ. of Texas MSTC: http://www.ic2.utexas.edu/mstc/
Unfortunately this is an "elite executive degree" which means it's probably expensive and not very accessible - not factors if you can get an employer to send you and pay for it, but if you're trying to do your own lifehack, not realistic. Candidates learn to identify and evaluate emerging technologies, identify customers and marketing strategies, develop broad, flexible business plans, build a high-functioning management team to drive the new venture, devise approaches for securing funding and manage and protect intellectual property. Also see http://www.uniguru.com/studyabroad/United-States-courses/Master-Science-Technology-Commercialization-course-details/cseid/602082/cid/72181/programs.html for this and other interesting leads.
====
Northeastern Univ. MSTC: http://www.cps.neu.edu/mstc/
Online (good) - $514 per quarter hour. A MSTC degree is 40 quarter hours (? - courses are 3 hours each), so the whole thing ends up costing over $20000. Does anyone else think that's a lot of money? Wonder if you ever make it back. Still, looks interesting and the individual course tuition could be worse.
====
Penn Master of Technology Management: http://www.emtm.upenn.edu/companies/industries/technology_commercialization.html
Probably $expensive$ but Penn is an Ivy League school, so prestigious. Prestige might be worth paying for.
====
Maryland MS in Telecommunications: http://www.telecom.umd.edu/current/OTC.html -- comes out of their Office of Technology Commercialization.
Also see their UMUC Doctor of Management: http://www.umuc.edu/programs/grad/dm/
Requires 48 hours of classes plus research. Fall 2009 tuition is $1087 a credit - the 48 credits will run a cool $52176, assuming the tuition doesn't increase (it will).
====
NIH/FAES: http://www.faes.org/graduate_school.htm
Interesting program if you're in the Washington DC area and can get to NIH (not online), but doesn't lead to a degree; none of FAES's courses do. You can get a 15-credit "certificate" (5 courses) in Technology Transfer. Courses are $345 a credit so that works out to $5175 outlay plus books plus getting there.
If you try to transfer these credits, no guarantees. Most graduate programs won't transfer more than 6 hours (2 courses). Something to consider.
====
Also see http://www.slideshare.net/infoDevSlides/technology-commercialization-handbook .
Fast Company Magazine Sept. 2009 issue - Who Needs Harvard?
Very provocative article, for working folk seeking new educational pathways even as they hit the commute at o-dark-thirty. Still on the newsstands for a couple more days, even as August seems to make time stand still for an instant.
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/138/who-needs-harvard.html
This excerpt sums it up:
=====
... [H]igher education remains, on the whole, a string quartet. MIT's courseware may be free, yet an MIT degree still costs upward of $189,000. College tuition has gone up more than any other good or service since 1990, and our nation's students and graduates hold a staggering $714 billion in outstanding student-loan debt. Once the world's most educated country, the United States today ranks 10th globally in the percentage of young people with postsecondary degrees. "Colleges have become outrageously expensive, yet there remains a general refusal to acknowledge the implications of new technologies," says Jim Groom, an "instructional technologist" at Virginia's University of Mary Washington and a prominent voice in the blogosphere for blowing up college as we know it. Groom, a chain-smoker with an ever-present five days' growth of beard, coined the term "edupunk" to describe the growing movement toward high-tech do-it-yourself education. "Edupunk," he tells me in the opening notes of his first email, "is about the utter irresponsibility and lethargy of educational institutions and the means by which they are financially cannibalizing their own mission."
The edupunks are on the march. From VC-funded startups to the ivied walls of Harvard, new experiments and business models are springing up from entrepreneurs, professors, and students alike. Want a class that's structured like a role-playing game? An accredited bachelor's degree for a few thousand dollars? A free, peer-to-peer Wiki university? These all exist today, the overture to a complete educational remix.
The architects of education 2.0 predict that traditional universities that cling to the string-quartet model will find themselves on the wrong side of history, alongside newspaper chains and record stores. "If universities can't find the will to innovate and adapt to changes in the world around them," professor David Wiley of Brigham Young University has written, "universities will be irrelevant by 2020."
Wiley doesn't come off immediately as a bomb thrower. He is a 37-year-old member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with five kids. He has close-cropped gray hair, glasses, and speaks softly in a West Virginia accent. But he employs his niceness strategically, as a general in the intellectual vanguard of the transformation of higher education. The challenge is not to bring technology into the classroom, he points out. The millennials, with their Facebook and their cell phones, have done that. The challenge is to capture the potential of technology to lower costs and improve learning for all.
. . .
=====
Sounds like Clayton Christensen's "disruptive technology" applied to the university enterprise, doesn't it...?
Also see http://www.claytonchristensen.com/#book_disrupting for Dr. Christensen's recent book on this new trend.
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/138/who-needs-harvard.html
This excerpt sums it up:
=====
... [H]igher education remains, on the whole, a string quartet. MIT's courseware may be free, yet an MIT degree still costs upward of $189,000. College tuition has gone up more than any other good or service since 1990, and our nation's students and graduates hold a staggering $714 billion in outstanding student-loan debt. Once the world's most educated country, the United States today ranks 10th globally in the percentage of young people with postsecondary degrees. "Colleges have become outrageously expensive, yet there remains a general refusal to acknowledge the implications of new technologies," says Jim Groom, an "instructional technologist" at Virginia's University of Mary Washington and a prominent voice in the blogosphere for blowing up college as we know it. Groom, a chain-smoker with an ever-present five days' growth of beard, coined the term "edupunk" to describe the growing movement toward high-tech do-it-yourself education. "Edupunk," he tells me in the opening notes of his first email, "is about the utter irresponsibility and lethargy of educational institutions and the means by which they are financially cannibalizing their own mission."
The edupunks are on the march. From VC-funded startups to the ivied walls of Harvard, new experiments and business models are springing up from entrepreneurs, professors, and students alike. Want a class that's structured like a role-playing game? An accredited bachelor's degree for a few thousand dollars? A free, peer-to-peer Wiki university? These all exist today, the overture to a complete educational remix.
The architects of education 2.0 predict that traditional universities that cling to the string-quartet model will find themselves on the wrong side of history, alongside newspaper chains and record stores. "If universities can't find the will to innovate and adapt to changes in the world around them," professor David Wiley of Brigham Young University has written, "universities will be irrelevant by 2020."
Wiley doesn't come off immediately as a bomb thrower. He is a 37-year-old member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with five kids. He has close-cropped gray hair, glasses, and speaks softly in a West Virginia accent. But he employs his niceness strategically, as a general in the intellectual vanguard of the transformation of higher education. The challenge is not to bring technology into the classroom, he points out. The millennials, with their Facebook and their cell phones, have done that. The challenge is to capture the potential of technology to lower costs and improve learning for all.
. . .
=====
Sounds like Clayton Christensen's "disruptive technology" applied to the university enterprise, doesn't it...?
Also see http://www.claytonchristensen.com/#book_disrupting for Dr. Christensen's recent book on this new trend.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Master of Financial Engineering
Enough off-label entries. I had not heard of this degree before this morning. It includes some cool math stuff, if one is into that. It comes up in career switch searches after you sift through all the usual hits (the same "top 10" you see everywhere).
It seems to be popular in Singapore. Maybe there are some US schools that offer it too. Here's a link to a reading list:
http://www.quantnet.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1336
And an interesting wiki on the broader subject of computational finance:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_finance
Also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Quantitative_Finance for more links and info sources.
It seems to be popular in Singapore. Maybe there are some US schools that offer it too. Here's a link to a reading list:
http://www.quantnet.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1336
And an interesting wiki on the broader subject of computational finance:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_finance
Also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Quantitative_Finance for more links and info sources.
Cash 4 Clunkers
FWIW I'm finding that it's making it more difficult for me to buy a new car, since I don't have a clunker - although I might have an easier time with buying a sub-20 PMG SUV, which doesn't make sense for me for all kinds of reasons.
The dealers aren't giving discounts since they know people are getting $4500.
The dealers aren't giving discounts since they know people are getting $4500.
Garrison Keillor
Is Garrison Keillor better on The Writer's Almanac than he is on Prairie Home Companion?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Life After Music School
A most remarkable article, from Northern Arizona University's French horn department: http://www4.nau.edu/hornstudio/index_files/Page543.htm.
“There is Life after Music School: Three Stories.”
By Marilyn Kloss
What do a flute manufacturer, a hardware engineer, and a software
technical writer have in common? Well, since they are mentioned in this
periodical, you can assume that they are all horn players. But they also all
earned degrees in music and later turned to engineering for earning their
livings in the real world.
Jim Phelan, Bob Moffett, and Marilyn Kloss all attended music schools
intending to become professional horn players. But, in the reality of the
working world, they turned to technical skills for their professions, while still
retaining their love of music and horn playing. Their stories are special
while at the same time typical of those of many amateur musicians.
These three amateur horn players live in the Boston (MA, USA) area and
have known each other for many years. They have each struggled with
the question Of how long to pursue a musical career, and if giving up the
dream, what other career to choose. They have discovered that there
can be another life after music school, that it is never too late to learn
new skills and grow in another direction. ...
=======
If you're fortunate enough to be a musician, my view is that it's not wasted - both on its own merits and because there seem to be broader skills. Rumor has it that music majors are overrepresented in cryptography and medicine.
“There is Life after Music School: Three Stories.”
By Marilyn Kloss
What do a flute manufacturer, a hardware engineer, and a software
technical writer have in common? Well, since they are mentioned in this
periodical, you can assume that they are all horn players. But they also all
earned degrees in music and later turned to engineering for earning their
livings in the real world.
Jim Phelan, Bob Moffett, and Marilyn Kloss all attended music schools
intending to become professional horn players. But, in the reality of the
working world, they turned to technical skills for their professions, while still
retaining their love of music and horn playing. Their stories are special
while at the same time typical of those of many amateur musicians.
These three amateur horn players live in the Boston (MA, USA) area and
have known each other for many years. They have each struggled with
the question Of how long to pursue a musical career, and if giving up the
dream, what other career to choose. They have discovered that there
can be another life after music school, that it is never too late to learn
new skills and grow in another direction. ...
=======
If you're fortunate enough to be a musician, my view is that it's not wasted - both on its own merits and because there seem to be broader skills. Rumor has it that music majors are overrepresented in cryptography and medicine.
Career Switching Articles
Going back to the broader theme of career switching: a lot of people want to (or are forced to) do it, but resources and opportunities are limited.
Interesting observation in this Seattle Post-Intelligencer article http://www.seattlepi.com/business/401235_jobs25.html:
"That's the frustration for Sheri Jacobson, 58, who is weighing the cost of a career transition against her remaining earning years. She was laid off from her job in educational publishing management in December, and her industry is in flux.
"Every place you read recommends the same 10 jobs," she said, ticking off dental hygienists, nurses and software specialists.
"Nursing is always listed as one of the best jobs to consider due to high demand and good wages, as if nursing can be done by anyone who decides to get into it," said Jacobson, who lives in Sammamish. "I don't know about you, but I dread having blood drawn by someone who's qualified but not good at it. Same for IT jobs, always recommended as if we're all cut out to be technical gurus." "
But the article winds up on a more encouraging note, talking of learning to view and repackage your existing skills.
Maybe. The Labor Department has an online tool for matching skills to occupations:
http://online.onetcenter.org/, which also links to other tools.
Interesting observation in this Seattle Post-Intelligencer article http://www.seattlepi.com/business/401235_jobs25.html:
"That's the frustration for Sheri Jacobson, 58, who is weighing the cost of a career transition against her remaining earning years. She was laid off from her job in educational publishing management in December, and her industry is in flux.
"Every place you read recommends the same 10 jobs," she said, ticking off dental hygienists, nurses and software specialists.
"Nursing is always listed as one of the best jobs to consider due to high demand and good wages, as if nursing can be done by anyone who decides to get into it," said Jacobson, who lives in Sammamish. "I don't know about you, but I dread having blood drawn by someone who's qualified but not good at it. Same for IT jobs, always recommended as if we're all cut out to be technical gurus." "
But the article winds up on a more encouraging note, talking of learning to view and repackage your existing skills.
Maybe. The Labor Department has an online tool for matching skills to occupations:
http://online.onetcenter.org/, which also links to other tools.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Psychotherapy, Career Switching and Diversity, and Mixed Credentials
More on this; one example of a career switch or career diversity option in this area is the "Dr. Laura" scenario (see http://www.drlaura.com/about/). The website mentions a California state license for Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor (MFCC).
Dr. Laura's original PhD degree is in an impressively hard science - physiology - but it has little or nothing to do with providing psychotherapy to patients. She might as well have been a chemical engineer.
So this is a career switch case study - and a possible option for others (psychotherapy, if not also becoming famous!).
California apparently changed the name of this license in 1999 to "Marriage and Family Therapist"; see http://www.bbs.ca.gov/consumer/what_is.shtml. I don't know yet if there is an equivalent license in other states.
California has two other professional licenses in this category, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP). "Psychotherapy" is prominently mentioned in the MFT and LCSW statutory language, but the statute doesn't actually say you have to have one of these licenses to call yourself a psychotherapist in California. I don't know if there have been any court decisions on this in California.
All the licenses require master's degrees of one sort or another. California accredits schools for MFT license preparation; see http://www.bbs.ca.gov/app-reg/mft_schools.shtml. Elsewhere on the site is a list of "approved" schools for MFT; not sure what that means.
They also supply videos on MFT and LCSW licensure at http://www.bbs.ca.gov/app-reg/licensing_QA.shtm.
The above is ONLY for California. I don't know yet what other states do. I've seen the LCSW credential in a lot more states than the others, so it may be more portable between states.
Dr. Laura's original PhD degree is in an impressively hard science - physiology - but it has little or nothing to do with providing psychotherapy to patients. She might as well have been a chemical engineer.
So this is a career switch case study - and a possible option for others (psychotherapy, if not also becoming famous!).
California apparently changed the name of this license in 1999 to "Marriage and Family Therapist"; see http://www.bbs.ca.gov/consumer/what_is.shtml. I don't know yet if there is an equivalent license in other states.
California has two other professional licenses in this category, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP). "Psychotherapy" is prominently mentioned in the MFT and LCSW statutory language, but the statute doesn't actually say you have to have one of these licenses to call yourself a psychotherapist in California. I don't know if there have been any court decisions on this in California.
All the licenses require master's degrees of one sort or another. California accredits schools for MFT license preparation; see http://www.bbs.ca.gov/app-reg/mft_schools.shtml. Elsewhere on the site is a list of "approved" schools for MFT; not sure what that means.
They also supply videos on MFT and LCSW licensure at http://www.bbs.ca.gov/app-reg/licensing_QA.shtm.
The above is ONLY for California. I don't know yet what other states do. I've seen the LCSW credential in a lot more states than the others, so it may be more portable between states.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Psychotherapist - Pathways to a Career Switch
More on psychotherapist-related credentials and licenses, from
http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/content/credentials.html
The PT list doesn't claim to be exhaustive. At least one field it does not mention is music therapy.
Music therapists may be certified (see http://www.cbmt.org), but in general they aren't state-licensed as such - see http://www.cbmt.org/default.asp?page=Certification%20vs.%20Licensure for a possibly out-of-date discussion of certification vs. licensure.
I say "possibly out-of-date" because New York does now license "creative arts therapists" - see http://www.op.nysed.gov/catlic.htm, which explicitly takes in music therapists.
I only mention music therapy for completeness. Becoming one might be a longer path than some options. I'm not sure how accessible it would be to a career switcher who didn't already have an undergraduate music degree - and it does require actual musical proficiency.
Note the last line of the extract below:
"Finally, some therapists don't have formal training, and their services may not be covered by health insurance. Also, not all states require therapists to hold a license."
==========
http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/content/credentials.html
Therapy Center
Therapists and psychologists and counselors have a range of credentials and licenses. Here are a few you may come across when seeking the right professional.
Academic Degrees
PhD
Doctor of philosophy. This academic degree is earned in four to seven years. Many psychologists, therapists, counselors and coaches hold a doctorate of philosophy. A PhD in psychology teaches theory as well as statistics and data gathering. Many PhDs go on to work in academic settings, as researchers and professors. Psychologists with a PhD are also fully trained in the assessment and treatment of all behavioral conditions, from anxiety and depression to anger and resentment. (American Psychological Association)
PsyD
Doctor of psychology. The PsyD is a terminal degree, like a PhD However, the PsyD focuses on therapy and counseling rather than research. The degree was developed in the late 1960s to address the need for practitioners. In the last 30 years, the PsyD has become increasingly popular. (American Psychological Association)
MA or MS, MC
A master of arts, master of science, or master of counseling can be earned in counseling, psychology or related fields. It usually requires two years of post-collegiate study. Many MA programs also require a thesis. Many counselors and social workers hold a master's degree, and many PhD psychologists earn a master's en route to earning their doctoral degree. (American Psychological Association)
MD
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, who, after completing medical school, receive an additional four years of clinical training in mental health specialties. Psychiatrists treat emotional and mental disorders and are licensed to prescribe medication. These professionals may treat psychiatric disorders with therapy in conjunction with psychotropic medications. (American Psychiatric Association)
DO, Psychiatry
Doctors of osteopathic medicine have the same medical school training and licensing requirements as MD's with an emphasis on the neuromuskuloskeletal system. Some DO psychiatrists perform osteopathic manipulation techniques (OMT) in conjunction with prescribing medication, and traditional therapy. Others may elect to mirror the techniques of the MD above only. (American Osteopathic Association)
MSW
Master of social work. A social worker works with an individual in the context of the wider community. He or she helps those dealing with domestic violence, child abuse, drug abuse or foster-care issues, among many others. Social workers often practice therapy on their own or in settings such as schools, clinics, or government agencies. The MSW typically requires two to four years of study. (National Association of Social Workers)
EdD
Doctor of education. Professionals with EdDs practice therapy just as those with PhDs. Many of these professionals are trained in child development and education, sometimes with a focus on educational planning and assessment. Some work as school superintendents, principals or directors of nonprofit organizations. The MEd is a master's level degree in education that typically takes two years to earn. A total of four years of study is usually necessary to receive an EdD (American Psychological Association)
Professional Licenses and Certificates
LCSW or ACSW, LCS, LICSW, CSW
The licensed clinical social worker has a graduate academic degree, has completed supervised clinical work experience and has passed a national- or state-certified licensing exam. This advanced practitioner holds a license that allows him or her to receive health-care insurance reimbursements. (National Association of Social Workers)
LMFT or MFCC
The licensed marriage and family therapist has a graduate academic degree (a 2- to 3-year master's degree or a 3- to 5-year doctoral degree), clinical work experience and has passed a state-certified licensing exam. Most states offer this license. Along with the two- to three-year full-time masters programs with a practicum and internship, LMFTs are required to complete 1,000 hours of individual or family therapy with 100 hours of supervision. This can take one to three years. (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)
LP or NCPsyA
The licensed psychoanalyst has obtained his license from the state department of education (requirements vary from state to state). Recipients must have a master's degree or higher, and completed psychoanalytic study in a program deemed qualified by the state DOE. The LP must complete a supervised psychoanalysis program and pass a state-certified examination. (New York State Department of Education)
LPC or LCPC, LMHC, DAC, MFCC
Licensed professional counselor or licensed mental health counselor. A licensing qualification is granted to those who have advanced training, a graduate academic degree, clinical work experience and have passed a state-certified licensing examination. (American Counseling Association)
APRN or APN, ARNPP, MHN
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) have a master's degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing. These nurses are eligible to be licensed as therapists. APRNs provide a range of primary mental health care services to individuals, families, and groups, and function as psychotherapists, educators, consultants, advanced case managers or administrators. Many states require certification by a national body prior to practicing. Once licensed, APRNs are authorized to prescribe medications. (American Nursing Association)
ATR, ATR-BC
Registered art therapist. Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy and hold a master's degree in art therapy or a related field. Upon completion of the ATR degree, professionals may seek further certification through the Art Therapy Credentials Board, (ATCB). To obtain certification, the therapist must have postgraduate supervised experience and pass a written examination administered by the board. The ATR-BC credential requires maintenance with continuing education courses to keep standards high. All art therapists work with individuals, couples, families or groups. They often work as part of a team in settings such as community outreach programs, schools, nursing homes, corporations and independent practices. (American Art Therapy Association, Art Therapy Credentials Board)
DMin
The doctor of ministry is an advanced professional degree for those in the practice of ministry. It differs from a PhD in that its focus is on competence in the practice of ministry rather than on advanced academic research. There are different tracks of study: in Pastoral Ministry, for example, degree candidates must first receive a master of divinity or the equivalent, and have at least three years' experience in full-time pastoral ministry. (The Association of Theological Schools)
BCD
Board certified diplomate. This board certification is granted to practitioners—whether they are social workers, counselors, psychologists, among other mental health professionals. These individuals have demonstrated a high level of competency and experience in their field.
ABPP
Board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Certification assures that specialists have successfully completed the educational, training, and experience requirements, including an examination designed to assess competency. (American Board of Professional Psychology)
ABFP
Board certification by the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP), or the "Forensic Board." The Forensic Board is an affiliate of the ABPP that offers a Diploma in Forensic Psychology to those psychologists who satisfactorily complete the requirements for achieving Specialty Board Certification. (American Board of Forensic Psychology)
NCC
The Nationally Certified Counselor is the certification issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), an independent organization that grew out of the American Counseling Association (ACA). The NBCC is an independent certification body. NBCC and ACA work together to further the profession of counseling. The ACA concentrates on membership association activities such as conferences, professional development, publications and government relations. The NBCC focuses on promoting quality counseling through certification. NBCC's flagship credential is the National Certified Counselor (NCC). It also offers specialty certification in several areas: school counseling: the National Certified School Counselor (NCSC); clinical mental health counseling: the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC); addictions counseling: the Master Addictions Counselor (MAC). (National Board of Certified Counselors)
Finally, some therapists don't have formal training, and their services may not be covered by health insurance. Also, not all states require therapists to hold a license.
http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/content/credentials.html
The PT list doesn't claim to be exhaustive. At least one field it does not mention is music therapy.
Music therapists may be certified (see http://www.cbmt.org), but in general they aren't state-licensed as such - see http://www.cbmt.org/default.asp?page=Certification%20vs.%20Licensure for a possibly out-of-date discussion of certification vs. licensure.
I say "possibly out-of-date" because New York does now license "creative arts therapists" - see http://www.op.nysed.gov/catlic.htm, which explicitly takes in music therapists.
I only mention music therapy for completeness. Becoming one might be a longer path than some options. I'm not sure how accessible it would be to a career switcher who didn't already have an undergraduate music degree - and it does require actual musical proficiency.
Note the last line of the extract below:
"Finally, some therapists don't have formal training, and their services may not be covered by health insurance. Also, not all states require therapists to hold a license."
==========
http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/content/credentials.html
Therapy Center
Therapists and psychologists and counselors have a range of credentials and licenses. Here are a few you may come across when seeking the right professional.
Academic Degrees
PhD
Doctor of philosophy. This academic degree is earned in four to seven years. Many psychologists, therapists, counselors and coaches hold a doctorate of philosophy. A PhD in psychology teaches theory as well as statistics and data gathering. Many PhDs go on to work in academic settings, as researchers and professors. Psychologists with a PhD are also fully trained in the assessment and treatment of all behavioral conditions, from anxiety and depression to anger and resentment. (American Psychological Association)
PsyD
Doctor of psychology. The PsyD is a terminal degree, like a PhD However, the PsyD focuses on therapy and counseling rather than research. The degree was developed in the late 1960s to address the need for practitioners. In the last 30 years, the PsyD has become increasingly popular. (American Psychological Association)
MA or MS, MC
A master of arts, master of science, or master of counseling can be earned in counseling, psychology or related fields. It usually requires two years of post-collegiate study. Many MA programs also require a thesis. Many counselors and social workers hold a master's degree, and many PhD psychologists earn a master's en route to earning their doctoral degree. (American Psychological Association)
MD
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, who, after completing medical school, receive an additional four years of clinical training in mental health specialties. Psychiatrists treat emotional and mental disorders and are licensed to prescribe medication. These professionals may treat psychiatric disorders with therapy in conjunction with psychotropic medications. (American Psychiatric Association)
DO, Psychiatry
Doctors of osteopathic medicine have the same medical school training and licensing requirements as MD's with an emphasis on the neuromuskuloskeletal system. Some DO psychiatrists perform osteopathic manipulation techniques (OMT) in conjunction with prescribing medication, and traditional therapy. Others may elect to mirror the techniques of the MD above only. (American Osteopathic Association)
MSW
Master of social work. A social worker works with an individual in the context of the wider community. He or she helps those dealing with domestic violence, child abuse, drug abuse or foster-care issues, among many others. Social workers often practice therapy on their own or in settings such as schools, clinics, or government agencies. The MSW typically requires two to four years of study. (National Association of Social Workers)
EdD
Doctor of education. Professionals with EdDs practice therapy just as those with PhDs. Many of these professionals are trained in child development and education, sometimes with a focus on educational planning and assessment. Some work as school superintendents, principals or directors of nonprofit organizations. The MEd is a master's level degree in education that typically takes two years to earn. A total of four years of study is usually necessary to receive an EdD (American Psychological Association)
Professional Licenses and Certificates
LCSW or ACSW, LCS, LICSW, CSW
The licensed clinical social worker has a graduate academic degree, has completed supervised clinical work experience and has passed a national- or state-certified licensing exam. This advanced practitioner holds a license that allows him or her to receive health-care insurance reimbursements. (National Association of Social Workers)
LMFT or MFCC
The licensed marriage and family therapist has a graduate academic degree (a 2- to 3-year master's degree or a 3- to 5-year doctoral degree), clinical work experience and has passed a state-certified licensing exam. Most states offer this license. Along with the two- to three-year full-time masters programs with a practicum and internship, LMFTs are required to complete 1,000 hours of individual or family therapy with 100 hours of supervision. This can take one to three years. (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)
LP or NCPsyA
The licensed psychoanalyst has obtained his license from the state department of education (requirements vary from state to state). Recipients must have a master's degree or higher, and completed psychoanalytic study in a program deemed qualified by the state DOE. The LP must complete a supervised psychoanalysis program and pass a state-certified examination. (New York State Department of Education)
LPC or LCPC, LMHC, DAC, MFCC
Licensed professional counselor or licensed mental health counselor. A licensing qualification is granted to those who have advanced training, a graduate academic degree, clinical work experience and have passed a state-certified licensing examination. (American Counseling Association)
APRN or APN, ARNPP, MHN
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) have a master's degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing. These nurses are eligible to be licensed as therapists. APRNs provide a range of primary mental health care services to individuals, families, and groups, and function as psychotherapists, educators, consultants, advanced case managers or administrators. Many states require certification by a national body prior to practicing. Once licensed, APRNs are authorized to prescribe medications. (American Nursing Association)
ATR, ATR-BC
Registered art therapist. Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy and hold a master's degree in art therapy or a related field. Upon completion of the ATR degree, professionals may seek further certification through the Art Therapy Credentials Board, (ATCB). To obtain certification, the therapist must have postgraduate supervised experience and pass a written examination administered by the board. The ATR-BC credential requires maintenance with continuing education courses to keep standards high. All art therapists work with individuals, couples, families or groups. They often work as part of a team in settings such as community outreach programs, schools, nursing homes, corporations and independent practices. (American Art Therapy Association, Art Therapy Credentials Board)
DMin
The doctor of ministry is an advanced professional degree for those in the practice of ministry. It differs from a PhD in that its focus is on competence in the practice of ministry rather than on advanced academic research. There are different tracks of study: in Pastoral Ministry, for example, degree candidates must first receive a master of divinity or the equivalent, and have at least three years' experience in full-time pastoral ministry. (The Association of Theological Schools)
BCD
Board certified diplomate. This board certification is granted to practitioners—whether they are social workers, counselors, psychologists, among other mental health professionals. These individuals have demonstrated a high level of competency and experience in their field.
ABPP
Board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Certification assures that specialists have successfully completed the educational, training, and experience requirements, including an examination designed to assess competency. (American Board of Professional Psychology)
ABFP
Board certification by the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP), or the "Forensic Board." The Forensic Board is an affiliate of the ABPP that offers a Diploma in Forensic Psychology to those psychologists who satisfactorily complete the requirements for achieving Specialty Board Certification. (American Board of Forensic Psychology)
NCC
The Nationally Certified Counselor is the certification issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), an independent organization that grew out of the American Counseling Association (ACA). The NBCC is an independent certification body. NBCC and ACA work together to further the profession of counseling. The ACA concentrates on membership association activities such as conferences, professional development, publications and government relations. The NBCC focuses on promoting quality counseling through certification. NBCC's flagship credential is the National Certified Counselor (NCC). It also offers specialty certification in several areas: school counseling: the National Certified School Counselor (NCSC); clinical mental health counseling: the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC); addictions counseling: the Master Addictions Counselor (MAC). (National Board of Certified Counselors)
Finally, some therapists don't have formal training, and their services may not be covered by health insurance. Also, not all states require therapists to hold a license.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Becoming a Psychotherapist As A Career Switch
One potential career switch might be to that of "psychotherapist". Here, as with many fields, terminology and exact title is important.
This is not to impugn the field or practitioners of it at all - but as best I've been able to determine, "psychotherapists" do not have to be credentialed or licensed as such in the US; see e.g. http://www.aboutpsychotherapy.com/Tcredentials.htm - this New-York-centric webpage has a detailed list of titles -
or http://www.mentalhealthchannel.net/psychotherapist.shtml - which oddly uses the term "licensed psychotherapist" - possibly an oxymoron - will research further.
This relative lack of barriers-to-entry suggests some potential for a mid-career switch. Contrast with clinical "psychologists" who treat patients, who do generally have to be specifically credentialed and licensed, and with "psychiatrists", a medical specialty which requires an MD degree and licensure - not an easy career switch.
Despite the apparent lack of formal government license requirements for "psychotherapists", there may be informal professional standards or gateway credentials which are "best practice" for entering the field, or which clinical employers expect to see. See the Washington Post article
Becoming A Psychotherapist In Two Years Or Less for a practical discussion.
Other related fields may be "social worker", which also requires credentialing and licensing. A more researched taxonomy with links will follow later.
One wonders if this field may somehow converge with "life coaching", a not-unrelated field for which "private credentials" seem to be evolving.
Credentialing and licensing for "psychotherapists" as such seems to be more formalized in Canada than in the US; see http://www.ccpex.ca.
Also see http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/603929.html for more information on credentials and licensing. If there isn't one already, this would be a ripe area for the Dummies books to do a Becoming A Psychotherapist For Dummies book - the welter of degrees, credentials, and licensing is a bit confusing.
This is not to impugn the field or practitioners of it at all - but as best I've been able to determine, "psychotherapists" do not have to be credentialed or licensed as such in the US; see e.g. http://www.aboutpsychotherapy.com/Tcredentials.htm - this New-York-centric webpage has a detailed list of titles -
or http://www.mentalhealthchannel.net/psychotherapist.shtml - which oddly uses the term "licensed psychotherapist" - possibly an oxymoron - will research further.
This relative lack of barriers-to-entry suggests some potential for a mid-career switch. Contrast with clinical "psychologists" who treat patients, who do generally have to be specifically credentialed and licensed, and with "psychiatrists", a medical specialty which requires an MD degree and licensure - not an easy career switch.
Despite the apparent lack of formal government license requirements for "psychotherapists", there may be informal professional standards or gateway credentials which are "best practice" for entering the field, or which clinical employers expect to see. See the Washington Post article
Becoming A Psychotherapist In Two Years Or Less for a practical discussion.
Other related fields may be "social worker", which also requires credentialing and licensing. A more researched taxonomy with links will follow later.
One wonders if this field may somehow converge with "life coaching", a not-unrelated field for which "private credentials" seem to be evolving.
Credentialing and licensing for "psychotherapists" as such seems to be more formalized in Canada than in the US; see http://www.ccpex.ca.
Also see http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/603929.html for more information on credentials and licensing. If there isn't one already, this would be a ripe area for the Dummies books to do a Becoming A Psychotherapist For Dummies book - the welter of degrees, credentials, and licensing is a bit confusing.
Law School and Career Switching - more on Concord Law School Blog
Following up from a comment to the 22 July post, here is a Concord Law School blog.
As mentioned earlier, Concord Law School's website is http://www.concordlawschool.edu.
As a lawyer might say, no endorsement of either CLS or the above blog is implied - like "fair use" in a different context, this is for education and discussion purposes only.
I have several questions about this which I will continue to follow.
The top level question I have is, what is the value of law school in career development in the first place?
I'm known enough attorneys to know that there are many different kinds and flavors of attorney careers in at least several different working environments - that's a topic which deserves its own blog, and probably they're already out there.
But credentials can also have "off-label" value (in the pharmaceutical sense) in developing a career.
Is it possible that a person who has no real intention of becoming an attorney could still find it useful to get a law degree? There are very successful people with law degrees who are not practicing attorneys - by their choice, not necessarily because they got in trouble.
Did the law degree lead to that success or was it a wrong turn? If a person was seeking to model that success, would they want to include law school in the model?
The movie The Great Buck Howard has this as a plot hook where the Colin Hanks/Troy Gable character quits law school to be a writer and ends up being the road manager for the wacky Buck Howard stage magician.
Aside from the character hating law school, did he need to quit law school to do that?
A second and related question: Does having a law degree (or name the degree of your choice) give a person more career options? Or does it actually reduce a person's career options?
A third question is, given that one has decided for whatever reason that a law degree is a worthwhile mid-career/career switch pursuit, about Concord Law School itself and its model of legal education. Law school isn't just about academics. My understanding of first-year law school, even part-time law school, may be wrong, but it is that the usual model is an intensive and intimidating classroom experience which I can't imagine could be simulated in an on-line course - where people are called on at random to stand up and recite cases which hopefully they read beforehand. And lack of attendance is fatal - I've heard things like 4 absences for any reason is auto-flunk. It's like a kind of cultish boot camp to acculturate minds in a certain way.
I'm not at all saying that they can't do it, but I'm wondering how CLS's pedagogy, given that online courses would have to be radically different from the Law 1 classroom experience, would achieve the same result.
As mentioned earlier, Concord Law School's website is http://www.concordlawschool.edu.
As a lawyer might say, no endorsement of either CLS or the above blog is implied - like "fair use" in a different context, this is for education and discussion purposes only.
I have several questions about this which I will continue to follow.
The top level question I have is, what is the value of law school in career development in the first place?
I'm known enough attorneys to know that there are many different kinds and flavors of attorney careers in at least several different working environments - that's a topic which deserves its own blog, and probably they're already out there.
But credentials can also have "off-label" value (in the pharmaceutical sense) in developing a career.
Is it possible that a person who has no real intention of becoming an attorney could still find it useful to get a law degree? There are very successful people with law degrees who are not practicing attorneys - by their choice, not necessarily because they got in trouble.
Did the law degree lead to that success or was it a wrong turn? If a person was seeking to model that success, would they want to include law school in the model?
The movie The Great Buck Howard has this as a plot hook where the Colin Hanks/Troy Gable character quits law school to be a writer and ends up being the road manager for the wacky Buck Howard stage magician.
Aside from the character hating law school, did he need to quit law school to do that?
A second and related question: Does having a law degree (or name the degree of your choice) give a person more career options? Or does it actually reduce a person's career options?
A third question is, given that one has decided for whatever reason that a law degree is a worthwhile mid-career/career switch pursuit, about Concord Law School itself and its model of legal education. Law school isn't just about academics. My understanding of first-year law school, even part-time law school, may be wrong, but it is that the usual model is an intensive and intimidating classroom experience which I can't imagine could be simulated in an on-line course - where people are called on at random to stand up and recite cases which hopefully they read beforehand. And lack of attendance is fatal - I've heard things like 4 absences for any reason is auto-flunk. It's like a kind of cultish boot camp to acculturate minds in a certain way.
I'm not at all saying that they can't do it, but I'm wondering how CLS's pedagogy, given that online courses would have to be radically different from the Law 1 classroom experience, would achieve the same result.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
PICMET 2009 2-6 Aug 2009
Goodness, I wish I could go to this!
Today's the last day: http://www.picmet.org.
They're asking a lot of the right questions.
PICMET '09 To Host Technology Managers from Around The World
The PICMET '09 (Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology) Conference will be held at the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower in Portland, Oregon - USA on August 2-6, 2009. This year's theme is "Technology Management in the Age of Fundamental Change."
The world’s leading experts from academic institutions, industrial corporations and government agencies will participate in the discussions. In addition to the paper sessions, keynote presentations, tutorials, panel discussions and special sessions throughout the conference, there will also be several optional activities, including Short Courses on Technology Management preceding the conference. Please visit the PICMET web site (see above) for further information or to reserve a room at the conference hotel.
Today's the last day: http://www.picmet.org.
They're asking a lot of the right questions.
PICMET '09 To Host Technology Managers from Around The World
The PICMET '09 (Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology) Conference will be held at the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower in Portland, Oregon - USA on August 2-6, 2009. This year's theme is "Technology Management in the Age of Fundamental Change."
The world’s leading experts from academic institutions, industrial corporations and government agencies will participate in the discussions. In addition to the paper sessions, keynote presentations, tutorials, panel discussions and special sessions throughout the conference, there will also be several optional activities, including Short Courses on Technology Management preceding the conference. Please visit the PICMET web site (see above) for further information or to reserve a room at the conference hotel.
Useful books
This is one that life coaches should read: Ignore Everybody - And 39 Other Keys To Creativity.
Also see author's blog http://gapingvoid.com.
One with related ideas, though in a different vein: Gerry Spence's How To Argue And Win Every Time. Even if you aren't into arguing or litigation, the book makes important points about finding your own voice (or your "power").
Also see author's blog http://www.gerryspence.com.
Also see author's blog http://gapingvoid.com.
One with related ideas, though in a different vein: Gerry Spence's How To Argue And Win Every Time. Even if you aren't into arguing or litigation, the book makes important points about finding your own voice (or your "power").
Also see author's blog http://www.gerryspence.com.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Tuition Discounts, No. 2 - Free Master's Degree?
I need to research this further but this US Naval War College program may amount to a free Master's Degree for those interested and eligible to enroll.
It's based on the US Navy's Professional Military Education program, so
(1) not everyone would be eligible (but probably a larger range of people than active-duty Navy);
and
(2) not everyone would be interested. Still, it's an opportunity that's out there.
http://www.nwc.navy.mil/admissions/fsp.aspx
It's based on the US Navy's Professional Military Education program, so
(1) not everyone would be eligible (but probably a larger range of people than active-duty Navy);
and
(2) not everyone would be interested. Still, it's an opportunity that's out there.
http://www.nwc.navy.mil/admissions/fsp.aspx
Tuition discounts, No. 1
This will be an ongoing brainstorm. One big speedbump in the course of getting more education or a new credential is $$$ cost. Sometimes employers will pay for part-time tuition or books, usually within certain limits.
This is a nice benefit. Employers often like it too. It attracts good employees but in my experience, employees seldom actually use it. Graded courses often seem high-threat to people who have been out of school for a while. It's the exception-that-proves-the-rule for anyone to actually take a graded course or get a degree doing that, so it's cheaper than paying employees more. (There could be and may have been studies on incentives like that - in other spheres, the 401-K fund matches and purchase rebates seem to work that way.)
Sometimes there are restrictions. It also may not be the way to go for a drastic career redirection, especially if your boss needs to sign off on each course and perhaps even justify it up the chain, a setup which can also lead to complications even when the "training" relates directly to what the employer needs.
(On the other hand, noting earlier post, if your employer offers a centrally funded degree program on-site which doesn't require a lot of boss involvement other than kudos when you finish it, you should seriously consider jumping on that. It
But sometimes it's better if your credential project is invisible to your employer. Anyway, you need to think about cost in your credential project and to figure that you may need to may for at least some of it.
Focusing on tuition, even though it's not the only expense: It's good if it can be discounted -- or even free!
One interesting source of information is here is from the Dummies website, http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/finding-college-tuition-discounts-chaching.html, with my comments noted in bold:
Eligibility-based tuition discounts
Colleges often offer to reduce tuition as part of a benefits package or as part of their general policy. For this sort of tuition discount, you can't negotiate for a better deal, and eligibility tends to be strictly defined. You either qualify or you don't. Here are a few examples:
College employees often get tuition discounts. If you're the spouse, child, or (rarely) grandchild of a faculty or staff member, you're often entitled to a tuition discount or a tuition exemption.
Or if you ARE a faculty or staff member - something to consider, and there could be reciprocal benefits, like if you teach at the community college but are doing a PhD at the local state university. "Staff" can also include custodial, campus police, etc. On the other hand, colleges are contracting more of this out, and contractors probably aren't eligible.
Some colleges also offer discounts to alumni and their dependents. Colleges often do this as a way of keeping a tradition alive or rewarding return business. Stanford University, for example, offers a 20 percent tuition discount to alumni returning for Continuing Education courses.
Never heard of this! However, CE, lifelong learning, etc. may not be a credential-builder.
Eligibility may be based on age. Some colleges offer discounts to seniors. Tulane University, for example, offers a 50 percent discount for students aged 60 years and older.
States do too. You generally have to be a state resident and usually "senior" means 60 or over - I haven't found any younger ones, and some are older. Also, some, like Virginia, are means-tested - you almost have to be an unemployed pauper to get the tuition break, which means you may have more pressing matters on your mind. South Carolina seems to have one of the better deals this way.
Discounts may be offered to students with siblings attending the college. Seton Hall University, for example, offers a 10 percent discount to students whose brother or sister attends SHU.
Tuition discounts are often tied to employment. George Washington University in Virginia operates liaison programs with various corporations, offering a 10 percent tuition reimbursement to employees who complete a course of study with them. Like many similar programs, the reimbursement amount is capped at a set figure. In GWU's case, the maximum that can be claimed is $1,000 per year per student.
Reportedly GWU has been the most expensive school in the US for several years running and they don't have a lot of distance offerings. Not sure $1000 a year is a meaningful discount.
Some employee tuition discount programs also apply to the rest of the family. The State of Tennessee offers employees of the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government a fee waiver for one course per semester, and tuition discounts of 25 percent on all college courses taken by their dependents. Specific restrictions apply — generally the dependant must be under 24 — but they're easy to follow.
Nice! Get a job with the State of Tennessee.
Programs for state employees and their dependents exist in most states (!!!), so definitely investigate this possibility if your parent, or even your grandparent, works for (or used to work for) the state. While you're at it, don't forget to check on discounts available if your parent works for the city in which a college is located.
NEVER HEARD OF THIS! Something to check out.
Some programs are tied to religious institutions or organizations. At Rosedale Bible College, active ministers and their dependents are offered a 75 percent tuition discount if they're members of the Conservative Mennonite Conference. Ministers outside the Conference receive only a 25 percent discount, and the rate for their dependents falls to 15 percent. Also, several other religious institutions offer discounts to groups.
Some tuition discount programs may not be for college tuition. Instead, discounts for a private school, a daycare, or other similar institution may be offered to the children of those attending or working at a particular college. For example, Children's World Learning Centers offers Johns Hopkins University employees a 10 percent tuition discount on published tuition rates at any of the Children's World Centers.
Some discounts are offered for non-peak school times. Pennsylvania College of Technology has initiated an Early Start program, offering students a 25 percent tuition discount on specific courses if they take them in the summer term, which typically has lower enrollment than the rest of the year.
This is a nice benefit. Employers often like it too. It attracts good employees but in my experience, employees seldom actually use it. Graded courses often seem high-threat to people who have been out of school for a while. It's the exception-that-proves-the-rule for anyone to actually take a graded course or get a degree doing that, so it's cheaper than paying employees more. (There could be and may have been studies on incentives like that - in other spheres, the 401-K fund matches and purchase rebates seem to work that way.)
Sometimes there are restrictions. It also may not be the way to go for a drastic career redirection, especially if your boss needs to sign off on each course and perhaps even justify it up the chain, a setup which can also lead to complications even when the "training" relates directly to what the employer needs.
(On the other hand, noting earlier post, if your employer offers a centrally funded degree program on-site which doesn't require a lot of boss involvement other than kudos when you finish it, you should seriously consider jumping on that. It
But sometimes it's better if your credential project is invisible to your employer. Anyway, you need to think about cost in your credential project and to figure that you may need to may for at least some of it.
Focusing on tuition, even though it's not the only expense: It's good if it can be discounted -- or even free!
One interesting source of information is here is from the Dummies website, http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/finding-college-tuition-discounts-chaching.html, with my comments noted in bold:
Eligibility-based tuition discounts
Colleges often offer to reduce tuition as part of a benefits package or as part of their general policy. For this sort of tuition discount, you can't negotiate for a better deal, and eligibility tends to be strictly defined. You either qualify or you don't. Here are a few examples:
College employees often get tuition discounts. If you're the spouse, child, or (rarely) grandchild of a faculty or staff member, you're often entitled to a tuition discount or a tuition exemption.
Or if you ARE a faculty or staff member - something to consider, and there could be reciprocal benefits, like if you teach at the community college but are doing a PhD at the local state university. "Staff" can also include custodial, campus police, etc. On the other hand, colleges are contracting more of this out, and contractors probably aren't eligible.
Some colleges also offer discounts to alumni and their dependents. Colleges often do this as a way of keeping a tradition alive or rewarding return business. Stanford University, for example, offers a 20 percent tuition discount to alumni returning for Continuing Education courses.
Never heard of this! However, CE, lifelong learning, etc. may not be a credential-builder.
Eligibility may be based on age. Some colleges offer discounts to seniors. Tulane University, for example, offers a 50 percent discount for students aged 60 years and older.
States do too. You generally have to be a state resident and usually "senior" means 60 or over - I haven't found any younger ones, and some are older. Also, some, like Virginia, are means-tested - you almost have to be an unemployed pauper to get the tuition break, which means you may have more pressing matters on your mind. South Carolina seems to have one of the better deals this way.
Discounts may be offered to students with siblings attending the college. Seton Hall University, for example, offers a 10 percent discount to students whose brother or sister attends SHU.
Tuition discounts are often tied to employment. George Washington University in Virginia operates liaison programs with various corporations, offering a 10 percent tuition reimbursement to employees who complete a course of study with them. Like many similar programs, the reimbursement amount is capped at a set figure. In GWU's case, the maximum that can be claimed is $1,000 per year per student.
Reportedly GWU has been the most expensive school in the US for several years running and they don't have a lot of distance offerings. Not sure $1000 a year is a meaningful discount.
Some employee tuition discount programs also apply to the rest of the family. The State of Tennessee offers employees of the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government a fee waiver for one course per semester, and tuition discounts of 25 percent on all college courses taken by their dependents. Specific restrictions apply — generally the dependant must be under 24 — but they're easy to follow.
Nice! Get a job with the State of Tennessee.
Programs for state employees and their dependents exist in most states (!!!), so definitely investigate this possibility if your parent, or even your grandparent, works for (or used to work for) the state. While you're at it, don't forget to check on discounts available if your parent works for the city in which a college is located.
NEVER HEARD OF THIS! Something to check out.
Some programs are tied to religious institutions or organizations. At Rosedale Bible College, active ministers and their dependents are offered a 75 percent tuition discount if they're members of the Conservative Mennonite Conference. Ministers outside the Conference receive only a 25 percent discount, and the rate for their dependents falls to 15 percent. Also, several other religious institutions offer discounts to groups.
Some tuition discount programs may not be for college tuition. Instead, discounts for a private school, a daycare, or other similar institution may be offered to the children of those attending or working at a particular college. For example, Children's World Learning Centers offers Johns Hopkins University employees a 10 percent tuition discount on published tuition rates at any of the Children's World Centers.
Some discounts are offered for non-peak school times. Pennsylvania College of Technology has initiated an Early Start program, offering students a 25 percent tuition discount on specific courses if they take them in the summer term, which typically has lower enrollment than the rest of the year.
The Big Obstacles - Cost, Time, and Distance
The "Big Obstacles" to a midcareer graduate school credential project seem to fall into these three buckets:
1. Time
2. Distance (related to time, but not quite the same thing)
3. Cost
Any others?
If your employer offers a fully paid onsite degree program for employees which doesn't require a boss signoff on every course, you should jump on that unless there's a really compelling reason not to. It's the best setup you'll ever get with respect to time, distance, and cost with that employer. Plus usually some bigwig at the employer has invested some credibility in advocating that plan and they'll appreciate you making them look good.
(Note: one doesn't see these so much any more, because they have a notoriously high dropout rate. Usually they start with a lot of people and end up with no completions or just a couple. )
1. Time
2. Distance (related to time, but not quite the same thing)
3. Cost
Any others?
If your employer offers a fully paid onsite degree program for employees which doesn't require a boss signoff on every course, you should jump on that unless there's a really compelling reason not to. It's the best setup you'll ever get with respect to time, distance, and cost with that employer. Plus usually some bigwig at the employer has invested some credibility in advocating that plan and they'll appreciate you making them look good.
(Note: one doesn't see these so much any more, because they have a notoriously high dropout rate. Usually they start with a lot of people and end up with no completions or just a couple. )
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