Education is More Than a Degree Program

I cancelled my enrollment agreement today. I was so excited about starting a Masters in Psychology online, but now I'm back to square one, looking for a program that is reputable, affordable, and meets my career goals. Argh!!! At least this lesson didn't cost me to the tune of $6,000 which is approximately how much I spent last summer!

I was already feeling uncomfortable with the school itself when the correspondence I received from various personnel had grammar and spelling mistakes and were not professional. Then, after paying the $75 application fee (kind of steep for a school that isn't even regionally accredited), I discovered that the program I'm interested in had a 34% completion rate and no data was available for the licensure exam pass rate. I also learned that the only payment options available to me as a degree student was to pre-pay a full semester's tuition (regardless of the number of credits I took) or to pay on a payment plan. In addition I had planned to start with just a 1-credit class, so both payment options meant I would be paying more than I would be receiving in actual classes. I also discovered I would have to pay a $125 fee for an orientation to the learning process and software. So. . .after much deliberation and talking it out, I decided that seeing the amount of hassle I was going through just at the beginning of the program wasn't worth it.

It's kind of frustrating. I mean, I don't want to be known as the girl who's taken a class in each of 12 different graduate programs but can't get one program finished completely! But with each program that doesn't work out, I realize more of what I am looking for. I don't think I want to do an online program. I don't want an Education degree. I do want a professional program that cares more about me as a student than about  making money off of me. In addition, I'm looking for a program where I can invest my hard-earned money and know that I will receive a benefit that matches the money I'm putting into the program.

So it looks like I'm back to the drawing board. . .again! The plan now is to keep researching programs and save up money. Maybe in 5 years I'll have enough to go to a real university and study in a real Psychology program. We shall see :) Until then, now I'm happy because I don't have to watch my pennies so closely and maybe this week I'll go out for lunch. I've been wanting Indian food with tamarind chutney for two weeks now!!!