MSc Psychology conversion online

[Earlyyearsmum]

Hi everyone,

Would love some advice from anyone who has completed or is completing an MSc Psychology conversion! I’ve been a primary school teacher for 10 years and looking to retrain - possibly as an ed psych (but that’s a long way off!!)

Ive been looking at the University of Derby, Exeter and Man Met part time online courses but just was interested to hear what others would recommend and what your experience has been like. Has the course been good, are tutors supportive and is it manageable with two kids and whilst still working part time as a teacher. Which unis would you recommend and why? It’s so hard to choose!

Thanks so much!

Mostly replying to bump your post as I haven't done this, just happen to know a little about the market.

Are the universities on your shortlist running two year courses or two and a half years? The workload for Psych Conv is heavy as you have to master the new subject and work at post-grad level.

Two year courses need a time commitment of around 25 hours per week. Which is a lot on top of a teacher workload and family commitments - especially to sustain for two years without burning out - but it depends how part time you are.

2.5 year courses are closer to 20 hours per week, for comparison. I don't know how common that option is in Psych Conv but I'm aware it's how Glasgow deliver it. I don't have any personal experience of online study with Glasgow but am aware they're one uni that seems fairly leading edge in that arena. Their fees are at the higher end of the range for Psych Conv though.

The Open University now has a BPS-accredited Psych Conv MSc (fairly recently, maybe only on its second year?). That's a 2yr programme. Probably a lot more people who can tell you what studying with the OU is like, at least in general terms. The OU certainly have much more expertise in part time online teaching/learning and their fees for Psych Conv are lower end of range. Have you considered it / ruled it out?

Have you looked at any particular universities for the Ed Psych doctorate? If you have any ideal preferences it would be worth checking now in case they have entry requirements that your MSc shortlist won't fulfil.

(Eg for ClinPsyD, Southampton will only consider candidates with a high stats content on their GBC degree. That kind of thing.)

Hello,

You must shadow an Ed Psyc for at least a week and talk to a few different ones about their jobs before going all in on this.

An option might be to find a county that has a different half term to you so that you can go to work with them when you are not in school.

@slowes I just filled it in.
Was on a questionnaire section about seeking psychotherapy and I don’t know what happened but I found myself back at the start. I hope you got the answers I did complete because it took quite a long time!! Good luck with your course.

I did it at man met with loads of kids. I mean I was one of the oldest ones there. In my cohort it was mainly 20 somethings who would be very anxious about everything (sorry a gross oversimplification , but you know you're more chilled out when you're a mum) . It was fine.

I think the main thing to consider is that it is BPS credited. Also if the phd course you would want to apply for would accept the conversion course. For example I think Leeds Uni is quite strict re their criteria. You could contact the uni offering the PhD to see if they recommend/prefer any of the online courses. Good luck!

Regarding the comment about University of Glasgow and The Open University: I have two degrees from OU and I'm now on a Masters at Glasgow. The OU knows what it's doing as far as distance learning goes. They've been at it since 1969. But in my experience, it boils down to this: you'll get out of it what you put in. Master's level is fierce. I imagine a conversion course is the fiercest. Be sure you have the reading skills to consume books quickly and retain the knowledge. Planning in advance for every class is a must. And get plenty of sleep. No matter whether you choose a 'posh' uni like Glasgow or the OU, I wish you success.

Hi @Earlyyearsmum what did you decide in the end? I'm also considering the conversion course at mmu but wondering if I'm just being a bit ridiculous! I currently have a lovely min wage pt job that fits around my kids (single mum) and thinking would I be crazy to take on a load of extra work to do a Masters that I might not end up even doing anything with! Thats even if I can figure out affording the fees. I'd like to do Ed psych too but it seems so far away and I am torn between: what would be the point of giving up my nice routine to undertake a load of stress as I get nearer to my 50s... and then feeling like I really want to do more with the rest of my working life!

I'm the middle of a MSc in Psychology conversion course online with the University of D
The standard is incredibly high - I have done a lot of courses (have two Masters degrees from earlier on in life) - but this is the hardest one I've ever done. Because it is at postgraduate level they expect you to learn most things yourself, so depending on the lecturer, there can be very little actual teaching. there is only one live hour long lecture per week. It's recorded so you can watch it back.
The lecturers have mostly been really good and there is a chance to get feedback from them on teams chat.
I am on a few group whatsapps where we help each other. I've wanted to study psychology my whole adult life so I came to this with a lot of enthusiasm.
You really do need to give it the time they say for all the reading. if you can do that then go for it.