Back to College: October 15, 2004

Ask the Experts: Should I Seek A Ph.D. in Psychology at 47?
Featured Expert: E. Faith Ivery, Ed.D.

Question: I would like advice on several different subjects. However, I will try to stay focused on my main concern at this time. I am a 47 (48 in 3 months) year old female and am looking to go into a profession that will allow me to work for myself. I have a Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling, which is very specific to the Federal/State Vocational Rehabilitation Program. My thoughts are to attend college and obtain a Ph.d in Psychology so that I may "hang my own shingle" out and work for myself. I have perused financial aid information and from what I have been able to tell, federal financial aid is not available to people pursuing a doctoral degree. Can you tell me if I am correct in what I have stated above in regards to financial aid? I would also be interested in contacting people who have their Ph.d to find out how they obtained the funding to get it. Any advice would be much appreciated regarding this issue (I have contacted local psychologists to do informational interviews, but have not had any of my phone calls returned).

I also have concerns about going back to college at my age. Many of these concerns have been brought to my attention by male colleagues and I am wondering if this is something that I should be as concerned about as they are. Any advice you can provide, even in general, regarding the age issue would be most appreciated as well. My overall goal is to be able to work at my own pace, as I become older. I do not see myself working full-time when I am 65 years old and working for myself would allow me to cut back on hours worked once I reach that age. Thank you for you time and attention to the above. - Carrol

Answer: Carrol, let's take your questions one at a time. There is financial aid for doctoral students. Ask the schools you are considering attending about graduate teaching assistantships or graduate research assistantships and other institutional financing options. Most clinical psychology programs will require you to attend as a full-time student.

The bigger issue here is to discuss are your expectations. Going into a selected field like clinical psychology so you can work part-time and earn a good income are not the only considerations when making such a career change. Many graduate schools cannot tell you, but they often select younger students who will have more time to devote to their chosen careers.

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Dr. Walter Seabold, an author and adjunct professor at American University, School of International Service in Washington D.C., has recently gone back to college. Despite his credentials (a Ph.d in International Relations and Russian studies as well as years of teaching experience), Dr. Seabold has added another feather to his cap - an M.A. in distance learning, which he obtained online at University of Maryland University College. In today’s increasingly technology based world, distance learning is becoming an important component for both instructors and students at universities worldwide.

“I had been steadily adding technology-based aspects of teaching and learning into my classes over several years, and I felt the acquisition of knowledge of distance education in theory and practice, and technologies for same, would be more than useful,” Seabold explained.

Online education is gaining in popularity, legitimacy and prestige. Adult mid-career professionals are flocking to take online courses and entire degrees through distance learning. The benefits are obvious: the opportunity to learn from home, largely on your own schedule.

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