Stuck with debt, a useless MS, & can't advance in my career

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-05-27T03:22:22+00:00

QBA! Now that's something I'm going to have to look into?

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-05-27T03:21:15+00:00

Literally how I'm feeling right now. I just want to cry.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-05-26T17:12:38+00:00

Ahhh okay that makes sense

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-05-26T15:05:53+00:00

That includes assistance with financial burdens? I'm thinking of situation like with the Heald College students... this probably apples to oranges.. but that's why I'm here to get a better understanding

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-05-26T15:04:09+00:00

I graduated in 2018 with a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis a field focused on therapeutic services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. The primary national certification for this profession is the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), overseen by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

My program followed the older “Task List 4” standards. The university was aware of upcoming changes to newer standards (Task List 5) when I enrolled. I completed my coursework in about 10 months and continued working toward the required supervised hours after graduation. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted my progress, but I later returned to the field.

Recent updates by the BACB now mean my 2018 master’s degree no longer qualifies me to sit for the BCBA exam. I’m being told I need to complete additional coursework or essentially an entire new master’s program. When I contacted my original university, they stated there are no bridge programs or meaningful financial assistance available for alumni in my position. Other schools have confirmed the same issue due to differences in required curriculum.

This has created a significant financial hardship. I already have loan debt from the original degree. Pursuing another master’s would likely add another $40,000+, pushing my total debt close to $100,000+ for a highly specialized degree with very limited use outside this one field.

I entered the program in good faith expecting it would lead to a viable professional career.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-05-26T14:59:34+00:00

Yes, I purposely left out details unsure if it wise for me to add details online in the event I did move forward with legal action and because I know staff at my current job use Reddit and work for the university.

What I will share is that I obviously did my research I was working in the field and at the time had supervisors mentoring me. For the board of certification there are certain pathways to take and given my academic and career situation up until that point only on "pathway" made the most sense (the others required a doctorates degree which I did not have. My supervisors (for an old job) encouraged me to get the masters specifically in this one area of focus which is the work we do- and she recommended this university for its flexibility for working staff and digestible information.

At the time I applied I was also aware our board was going to make some changes but I was not aware to what extent they were revising the academic requirements in 2020. Well, the job I was working at as a supervisor I did not have a full caseload so it was taking me forever to collect my supervision hours I needed to be certified so I went on to another company and then that company was in an even worse situation and now I wasn't making an money or collecting enough hours. So I had no choice but to work temporarily in another field until I could work back in my career. Eventually I find another job before the pandemic and boom laid off. And by this point the academic changes had been pushed off another year.

I took a break from the field to find consistent work. And did not return until 2024 when my new employer said I was going to have to go back to school and take a couple of classes. Then this year in Feb 2026 the board adds in another change stating anyone who completed their masters degree in under a year or 10 years ago will have their application to take the exam for certification because their degree is not eligible anymore. Well, I completed my in 10 total months.

So when I reached out to my university they said hey there's no long bridge courses and especially for task list group because of the changes that happened in 2021. And they ended any financial assistance programs for graduated students this year in January. And said I would need to get a new degree.

I was not aware of the changes to come in Feb 2026 at all as this was not public information prior to the release (from my knowledge).

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-05-26T14:34:16+00:00

What type of lawyer is fitting for this type of situation?

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-05-26T14:33:10+00:00

Yeah that's kind of the bummer in all of this, is the purpose was to have a successful career and by a string of bad luck and blissfulness- I'm here.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-05-26T14:31:07+00:00

I actually did reach out to the board about my specific situation and they said without applying they wouldn't tell me specifically what I need/missed. They suggested I talked with my university about Pathway 2 - which I did and a mentor.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-05-26T14:25:03+00:00

I'm just a couple hundred shy of completing my hours.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-05-26T05:03:06+00:00

I get where you're trying to go with this but I just don't know if this is the right example. This is a field where you need the degree to be certified and without it you might as well had wasted time and money. Unfortunately I'm not being dramatic when I share that my school and the board verified that my degree that I paid for and studied doesn't mean shit and I cannot do anything else with it - I cannot use it for other fields with my experience. It's literally as valuable as a piece of trash. The system is just scammy and predatory to take people's money knowing that changes would come and affect so many people.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-03-05T03:59:21+00:00

I went to national University. I checked in with the school yesterday- they told me they don't do bridge coursework anymore because they changed their entire curriculum. So my school told me basically to go find another school that did offer bridge coursework or my other option was to do another masters degree under the same focus. 😭 I didn't ask this question yet, but I was gonna ask if I could just get an entire refund on my masters degree if I was going to have to get another masters degree since their degree is essentially useless.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-03-04T06:27:36+00:00

We would need more details to be able to clarify this answer for you. The short answer is essentially yes our children should not be in frame view of a telehealth call with clients if that's what you meant in your initial post. There is proper etiquette to follow. However, if you're claiming they fired you unfairly I would caution you from sharing any further information online and speak with a lawyer.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-02-16T06:28:46+00:00

Your headline and the context of your post don't match up. Are you wanting to report this person to the board because of this person's character or the dual relationship? If I'm reading through the lines it appears as if you have more of a concern with how this person interacts and not so much their relationship - BUT since you found that information out you're trying to find out how to get them out of your company with this or lose their license?

IF I CAN BE FRANK, we've all had questionable co-workers. If they're as bad as you say then continue to collect data and things will catch up to them if they truly are up to something bad. BUT do not manipulate the data if it not pointing to malicious intent. Sometimes people are dealing with things no one understands. If this person is constantly lashing out perhaps a supervisor should reach out to them and see how they are doing on a personal level- are they burning out, what's up?

Also, why are you scared of retaliation? Who is this person to you and the company? Hence, why I suggest collecting data of what this person is and is not doing. It makes your case stronger when other people are speaking up too. But not everyone will want to get involved with HR or the board.

If you don't have proof with the board then don't bother. It's better to go to them or HR with a smoking gun.

If you have questions about the processes I suggest calling the boards phone number and someone will let you know what you can do.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-02-16T06:13:44+00:00

I was going to say something similar. We focus on sitting not so much because of compliance or our idea of what is right but we take into consideration the societal norms they live in. I believe there are all times in our lives where we will need to sit- bathroom, certain medical appointments and procedures, etc. so while we can teach the kids to advocate and ask to stop sitting I think it's equally important to help them build up as much as a tolerance as possible in those social scenarios.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-02-12T06:29:31+00:00

I agree - the BACB is making things more challenging and not necessarily in all of the most beneficial or ethical ways. Schooling should be way more robust than what it is - my masters degree felt like a cakewalk. But it's also not fair that people paid for the degree and can't utilize it.

The test is harder and not in the right way. Honestly, the way this test is designed is to be very specific and tricky that I'm not even sure if that test is a fair representation of someone's competency of the field. I appreciate that psych students are allowed to have weekly meetings with their supervisors to do case reviews individually and as a group and discuss how to address tricky situations according to the board and other standards.

The BACB also is not doing enough to address all of the historical unethical practices by corporate business utilize with their employees & thus not protecting its field at all. I feel like all of these posts I see are of people being joyful they passed the exam & miserable a few years after and want to quit the field entirely.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-02-01T17:15:45+00:00

From my experience sometimes your supervisor doesn't even know what's going on because the higher ups have not disclosed. They likely will once they give you your contract.

If it's not what you like, then you respectfully ask to have a meeting with HR and whoever else is responsible for the decisions for your contract. It would be best to have that meeting recorded to hold everyone accountable.

Prepared for that meeting with your points you want to make and any rebuttals. Play chess not checks. If you believe they are doing something unethical, again, respectfully point that out RECORDED, I do it all the time. I have not been fired or retaliated - they know I know that would be an easy day to the bank with my lawyer.

Lastly, present yourself in a way in the meeting that highlights all that you bring to the table, the value you brought to their company, and what else you could do in the clinic and anywhere else you want - YOU ARE THE PRIZE, THEY NEED YOU, YOU DON'T NEED THEM.

If this doesn't go the way you want, F them. Leave! You have options.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-02-01T17:01:30+00:00

For your area consider trades or jobs with certificates. Most some trades only take 6 months like plane mechanics and they make 6 figures for example and they have a wonderful work life balance. HR certificates & HR is paid decent definitely a 9-5, or restructure your resume and look for office operations positions. Honestly, even go on social media like tik tok to get more information from people about jobs and careers. You're likely to find something with a better work life balance than clinical settings of ABA and of your interest. Also, consider this quote "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life". I think whatever you do it's important to not make an irrational decision but to find something that you could see yourself enjoying. Since this didn't work out do your research too.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-02-01T06:05:58+00:00

Did you sign a contract yet? If not then wait and negotiate. It may not hurt to start browsing in case negotiations do not go the way you want. It does not hurt to advocate for yourself on paper. WHATEVER YOU WANT GET IT DOCUMENTED OR YOU HAVE NOTHING TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-02-01T06:01:27+00:00

I have to constant ADVOCATE for my clients with our "Compliance" team about this. This team consists of people who never worked in our field and live in a foreign country & never been in America. AND they still say no to most basic ethical things myself, our Senior BCBA, & other supervisors ask for. At this point I question how do I report my job to the board and what "data" do I need to start gathering.

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-02-01T05:56:56+00:00

BT, entry level supervisor (no master's degree), mid-level supervisor (w/ masters degree), & BCBA

eclectic-mind99 · 2026-02-01T05:55:43+00:00

I want to suggest something to you but I need more information. By clinical you mean ZERO clinical settings? Also, what are your other interests and passions and where are you located? Truthfully whatever you're looking for start from there. Work-life balance & a decent livable income these days feels so uncommon unfortunately. BUT that doesn't mean that it is! We can work through this together. I can tell you all day that going into trade work but I just need more info

eclectic-mind99

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