I have a question about something that is probably a minor detail to most, but is really bothering me. In Steph’s personal Instagram bio she claims to have a MA in Counseling Psychology. In her “introduction” post on her new professional Instagram account, she says that she is enrolled in that program and still needs to complete her practicum. In the US, I could not claim my bachelor’s degree until my internship was complete or my master’s degree until my thesis was written, defended, etc. There was no middle ground of claiming a degree while requirements were still outstanding, even if the coursework itself was technically complete. Is it different elsewhere? I guess from where I am sitting, it appears that she is claiming to have a degree that she has not completed yet. Am I missing something?
Dear Missing Something Anon,
No, you aren't. You are correct. In all due form, her personal Instagram bio should have listed only her 2022 Human Animal Interaction MA from Stirling University. Not the current and still incomplete Counselling and Psychology MA from Whateverville University:
This makes her look like a fraud and is a big no-no in the academic community. You don't claim a diploma unless you have earned it already. And she hasn't. As I already explained, her recent secondary account announcement is not related to a work project. She needs that practicum to complete a diploma she already pretends to have. And she hasn't.
Rest assured, she won't go to jail for this. But this is such poor optics, it certainly does not help her become any more endearing to cynical people, like me.
On a side note, I am surprised the meticulously observing Observer Tumblr account seems to have completely zapped the practicum -very clear- reference in her announcement, that explains so many things. Bias? Negligence?
