Transferring in graduate school?

March 2, 2021 1:06 PM

I want to explore transferring from one degree program to another, but I'm not sure how it's done in my field (school psychology).

I started an Ed.S. program in the fall to become a school psychologist. I originally chose the school because it was in the city (Metropolis) that my brother lived in. Then, because of the pandemic, the program went entirely online and both my brother and I moved to another city (Gotham) where we had more family.

My program is going to be at least partially face-to-face next fall (to accommodate field placements, etc) so I'll have to move to Metropolis to remain in the program, per my advisor.

There is one school psych program in Gotham, but it's much smaller than my current program (6 students per year vs. 30), and their website doesn't have any info on entering the program outside of the first year. I kind of have the impression that people don't change programs much in this field (or any field after undergrad?), but I also can't be the only person facing this kind of pandemic dilemma. There's absolutely nothing wrong with my current program and I'm in good standing, it's just no longer in a location that works for me.

I would like to reach out to the Gotham program and at least ask if it's possible to enter the program in the second year and what the procedure would be, but I'm nervous about what to say. My instinct is to email the program director and just... ask? But somehow that seems presumptuous and I'm worried about coming across the wrong way.

I would really appreciate any insight on how possible this is and how to contact the potential new program, what to say, etc, from professors or ppl with recent experience in grad school. I think I'm just in my head about this bc of, you know, the current state of the world. Thank you.

posted by Snarl Furillo to Education (4 answers total)

It is not as common to transfer as a grad students, but it's certainly worth talking with someone at the new program to find out, since they simply may not have had enough people do this to justify the effort of explaining the process on their website.

I don't know about Ed.S. programs specifically, but depending on how structured their curriculum is due to accreditation requirements, it is possible that the first year in the two programs are significantly different. If that is the case, then an unhelpful department might make you enter as essentially a new first year student to take those classes. A helpful department, on the other hand, might be able to essentially hand waive any differences. The key is likely finding out which it would be, and hopefully finding someone who might advocate for you.

Is there an administrative assistant in the department? If you call them, they might be able to steer you in the direction of the right faculty person to help. You could also try doing some research on the professors, how people talk about them online, what their research interests are, etc. to see if there's someone who seems more likely to be helpful. Then when talking to someone, be sure to emphasize how you still have interest in the field but that you're running into these logistical challenges due to COVID. It might be helpful if you have done enough research on the new program to identify why this new program is an even better fit for your academic interests and future plans than the old program. They're much more likely to want to make exceptions to processes and pathing if it sounds like you will benefit the program and that you're likely to finish in a reasonable timeframe.
posted by past unusual at 1:47 PM on March 2, 2021 [3 favorites]

past unusual's advice is good. Whoever is graduate chair (if that's a thing at that school) may be a good person to contact, but starting with admin staff might be the most helpful path.

Also, are the old and new programs thesis or course based? If you would need a thesis advisor, then then doing the research on faculty at New School and connecting with the person who would be the best fit to work with is key. If someone at New School wants you to work with them, they are likely to go to bat for you in order to sort out how to switch over. If no one is a good match or if the people who would be a good match are not taking students next year, it would be a lot harder. If the degree isn't thesis-based then that isn't a consideration!
posted by DTMFA at 3:32 PM on March 2, 2021

Hello! I am a graduate student who's transferred programs! PhD in the life sciences, they pay my credits /stipend and not the other way around. The fastest route to an answer is going to be to email the director of the graduate program you would like to join with some specifics about your situation and interest.
posted by deludingmyself at 3:58 PM on March 2, 2021 [2 favorites]

Are the two programs in the same state, and upon graduation are you eligible for licensure? The tricky part I foresee is that every state structures licensure requirements differently, so coursework may not transfer. I completed an MSW degree, and folks planning to be school social workers had rigid course and practicum requirements due to the requirements for future licensure.
posted by epj at 4:33 PM on March 2, 2021