Due to some unexpected change of events at Wright State University I was compelled to look into some Doctorate programs elsewhere. You see it all started when my Graduate Internship package was turned down. I was told that there had been a mistake made by my advising professor and I had taken my courses in the wrong order. This was a problem because the governing board that directs the Mental Health counseling liscensure required that I take certain courses prior to my internship. This oversight by my advisor resulted in me having to put off my internship for another year. One of the main reasons I stayed at Wright State for Graduate school was because it was an easy "in" and I was already in the area.....maybe not the best reasons but my reasons all the same. I had planned to complete my Masters and then enter the Wright State Doctorate of Clinical Psychology program. Although Wright State's Doctorate program specializes in child issues and victimized populations. Not that I don't love my children or have a place in my heart for the victimized people of the world, however, my interests lie in much different directions. This was a compromise I was willing to make under the idea that the time table presented allowed me to be completely done with school by 2012. That is where the recent turn of events comes in. With the oversight of my advisor and the one year delay of my internship for my Masters degree I was now looking at 2013. Man as if I am not already behind the college curve for age as it is.
So I decided to look at some preferred schools that provide Masters and Doctorate programs in Clinical Psychology with concentrations in areas of my personal interest: Marriage & Family Therapy, Religion Psychology, Forensics, and Neurological Psychology. Of the schools I had investigated over the recent few years one had always been a favorite, Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. As I did some more detailed investigation of their program I learned that their Masters degree was integrated into the Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program. I contacted the school and learned that if I could get accepted for the next class I could complete the program by 2010.... three years of my life refunded, sort of.
One of the reasons why this school was of most interest was because they offer concentrations in all of the areas I wish to specialize in. So with that and the more acceptable timeline, Kristy and I decided to really consider applying to Forest. Our first concern was that we had only been through Missouri when we were very young and could not remember what the area was like. We also had concerns about the school as we had also never been there. So we decided to head west to see for ourselves. I spent a few weeks preparing an admission packet and we did some research on Springfield, Missouri. A few days before the deadline for applications we headed west and passed the great Arch on the way.
Our girls have always loved hotel rooms and so the quick overnight adventure to Missouri was worth while since it required a hotel stay. Our first impression of Missouri was the low cost of lodging. We paid $35 for a night in this Inn and got our first experience with the lower cost of living which is typical of the Springfield area.
The next morning Kristy got the girls all dolled up to make a good impression at the school. Kristy and the girls were very beautiful and ready to explore Forest Institute and the city of Springfield.
(above photo obtained from FIPP website)
We visited Forest Institute of Professional Psychology where I first went into the admissions office and discussed some questions I had about the school and it's programs. Then Kristy, the girls, and I all received a personal tour of the facility and was able to peep into the classrooms, library, and clinical rooms. The facility was very impressive, the staff was very accommodating, and the school as a whole was overwhelmingly perfect for our needs. We submitted my admission packet with some hesitation as we had to recognize the very competitive nature of being accepted into this program. We figured it couldn't hurt to try. To see more about Forest Institute go to http://www.forest.edu/
(above photo obtained from museum website)
To make the 9-hour trip more worth it for the girls we also went to the WONDERS OF WILDLIFE : American National Fish and Wildlife Museum located in the heart of Springfield.
The museum was full of fish and all sorts of wildlife and interactive learning devices.
The rope bridge was a favorite of the girls, I think we crossed it at least three times.
Molly & Neleha was very intrigued by this friendly turtle.
Molly gave her input about the museum on this comment card.
Kristy followed the girls through this hollow log and popped up to surprise Neleha.
The museum had many of these huge aquariums, which where full of both fresh and salt water fish. From sharks to bass they had them all.
In this interactive display the girls got to learn all about the anatomy of a fish.
In this area we actually got to go on an interactive fishing exhibition. Molly caught a huge bass.
The girls loved watching the sharks and touching the horseshoe crab.
This rare albino alligator was actually on loan from the Alligator Adventure in Myrtle Beach. I had the privledge of seeing this same alligator when I was in the Navy when a few of us guys headed down to the beach to check out the famous gator farm. This gator has aged well, pail as ever.
The girls got to sit at a camp fire and learn all about the fishing adventures of an old Ozark local. 
This partridge (Grouse) fell victim to Neleha's misidentification when it got chased by her because she thought it was a chicken.
This partridge (Grouse) fell victim to Neleha's misidentification when it got chased by her because she thought it was a chicken.
We had a great time at the museum and then decided to check out the rest of the city. To see more about the museum go to http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/
We stopped at the Battlefield Mall after driving through this big city. Our first impressions of the city haven't been that impressive. We were hoping for an area like what we have in Ohio, some place like Beavercreek, Ohio maybe. But the Mall was nice and the school was great. We also heard that the gem area of this part of Missouri is Branson. If an interview to FIPP is extended then maybe we will get to see for ourselves.
