w hat you need to know a bout g raduate s chool. c areer paths in p sychology from:
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GRADUATE SCHOOL
CAREER PATHS IN PSYCHOLOGY
from: www.apa.org/ed/graduate/faqs.html
TYPES OF GRADUATE PROGRAMS:
MSW
MA/MS
PsyD
PhD
PURSUING A MASTERS OF PSYCHOLOGY MA/MS in General Psychology
Take courses in many psychology subfields. Perform research.
Good if you want to enroll in a PhD program or want a better understanding of psychology subfields.
MA in School PsychologyMight be housed in Dept. of Psychology or Dept.
of EducationTake courses in testing, intervention, counseling.Good if you want to work in school settings with
students and parents.
PURSUING A MASTERS
MA in Counseling PsychologyMental HealthCommunityMarriage & FamilyCareer, Education, and SchoolRehabilitation & Substance Abuse
Good if you want to counsel clients in one of these specific subfields.
MASTERS DETAILS Length of study:
General MA/MS = 2 years of coursework. Counseling MA includes an internship during the 2 year
program. School Psychology includes 1 year internship in addition
to supervised fieldwork during coursework (3 yrs. total). Employment in a public school requires certification by the
State Department of Education. School & Counseling requires certification or
licensensure by the state.
Benefits and Constraints: Quick and thorough, though fewer options than a PhD. May not receive reimbursement through insurance agencies.
MASTERS DETAILS
Career Options:
General MA/MS = prepares for PhD, research career (nonprofit, NGO), school settings.
Counseling MA = independent counselor, counselor at hospital, group home, or school setting.
School Psychology MA = prepare for PhD, work in school settings, private practice.
PURSUING A PSYDGood if you want to test,
diagnose, and treat psychological disorders.
Focuses on therapy.
Does not involve a research component.
PSYD DETAILSLength of study: 4-6 years, plus 1
year APA approved internship.
Career Options: Hospitals, private practice, clinics.
Benefits and Constraints: Usually full licensure, less competitive than PhD, limits options in academia.
PURSUING A PHD Clinical PhD
Science/Practitioner Model. Research and clinical training.
Research PhD Science Model. Research training. Does not
relate to therapy or seeing patients. Social, Cognitive, Developmental, and Neuroscience.
Good if you want to do research and/or clinical work.
PHD DETAILS
Length of study: 4- 7 years, including 1 year APA approved internship (for clinical).
Career Options: Any! Academia (professors), researchers, private practitioner (clinical), hospitals and teaching hospitals.
Benefits and Constraints: Most flexibility and money. Long and time-consuming.
COMPARISON OF PSYD AND PHD PLACEMENTS
from: www.apa.org/ed/graduate/faqs.html
TYPICAL ARCH OF A PHD PROGRAM… Years 1-2:
Take courses in broad areas of psychology (receive MA). Begin “apprenticeship” with advisor.
Years 3-4: Take courses in specialization. Work as a research and teaching assistant. Design and defend dissertation proposal. Complete doctoral exams. Complete externship and/or practicum.
Years 4, 5, 6, and maybe 7: Conduct dissertation research. Teach courses. Present at conferences & publish. Complete internship Defend dissertation
THINGS TO CONSIDER:Advisor
(what is their research area/style?)
Student Placements (do their graduates get good jobs?)
Financial Aid (how much is available?)
Admission Requirements(do you need certain courses or experience?)
Accreditation(is it an APA accredited institution?)
Location (do you want to live there?)
WHAT THEY ARE CONSIDERING:
Personal Statement
GRE scores
Conferences/Publications
Research Experience
Volunteer Experience
Recommendations
THE PERSONAL STATEMENT Tailor each letter to fit the school.
Do not just change the name of the school, actually RESEARCH the program.
Demonstrate commitment.
Mention a few faculty members you would like to work with and why.
Convey the impression that you don’t just want to go to any graduate school. You want to go to THEIR school.
THE GRE & SUBJECT EXAM
Find out which schools require which exams.Most will require GRE.Some will require the psychology subject
exam.
Can find free practice materials (www.ets.org).
CONFERENCES & RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Research based programs (MA, PhD) prefer
students who have some conference or research experience.Research methods and senior comps is very
attractive.
Can volunteer with a faculty member to gain more experience and/or a conference credit.
Look in to presenting your work at conferences for the upcoming year (MPA, APA, SPSP, etc.).
Can publish your work in Psi Chi Journal.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
For more clinically based programs (MSW, MA counseling, PsyD, PhD), some volunteer experience is preferable.
Work in the community, school, religious institution is viewed positively.
Organizing and planning events around school, as well as general campus involvement, a plus.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Ask your professors in ADVANCE (at least a month).
Meet with your professors to discuss your accomplishments and goals.
Provide professors with envelopes, forms, and DEADLINES.
Okay to get recommendations from internship or volunteer supervisors.
ALL THE “LITTLE” THINGS… Financial Aid & External Funding
http://www.apa.org/apags/members/schawrdsintro.html
Resources: www.apa.org – info about Psych programs, funding,
careers, and membership. www.psichi.org – info about upcoming conferences,
awards and grants, & associations. www.socialworkers.org – social work programs and
research, social work publications, licensure issues. www.counseling.org – counseling programs,
scholarships.
Organization
PREPARING YOUR CV
CV (curriculum vita) is an academic resume.
Longer, with more details.
Showcase academic information.
