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Member 474081 · 06-04-2012, 10:45 PM

OK I've been searching this thread/forum for quite some time and haven't found exactly my answer. I hope someone can help on this site and I am really sorry if this is been asked before maybe you can just copy and paste the link for me, but like I said I tried searching but the situations that people describe are different.

I am a recent graduate with a BA in Psychology. I'm taking a year off to pay off some debt and then I am applying to graduate school. I am really interested in I/O psychology and I think I want to get my PhD. BUT I don't want to be limited. Ideally, what I could see myself doing is being a professor at a university and holding a private practice in my home. I have always been interested in therapy BUT not to a degree that I want to devote my whole life to it.

Is an MSW right for me? For the longest time I have had this negative attitude toward social work. I was under the assumption that social workers only did work with people who were abused, in poverty, need social welfare support, etc. That did not interest me at all. I then became an RA at my local hospital and found out that one of the therapists had their MSW. I asked the psychologist what the difference was and she said really nothing, a good psychologist and a good social worker can do practically the same thing. I really don't understand. Why have separate degrees? For the longest time I wanted the prestige of having the title "Dr." but I'm starting to realize the extra time, money, stress, etc. may not be worth it especially if I only want to do therapy on the side.

Like I stated before I'm interested in I/O. I know that if I get my PhD in I/O I would be qualified to be more than an adjunct professor. Could I become a therapist with a PhD in I/O granted I get licensed and have supervised clinical training or is that not possible?

I'm so confused I do not want to be in school for the rest of my life and have THOUSANDS of dollars in debt, but I don't want to limit myself. This might sound silly but my outlook on life is that you only have a limited time I want to do everything I am interested in. I want to teach, provide therapy, and work with businesses to enrich the careers of their employees.

Should I get my MSW first, then go for my PhD? I also don't think I am qualified to get right into a PhD program (my understanding is they are very competitive) so I would need to get my MA in I/O first. Again adding another 2+ years.

Sorry it's so long -- if anyone can provide help I would appreciate it greatly appreciated.

06-04-2012, 10:45 PM	#14
Member 474081 New Member Status Psychology Student Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 4	Related topic OK I've been searching this thread/forum for quite some time and haven't found exactly my answer. I hope someone can help on this site and I am really sorry if this is been asked before maybe you can just copy and paste the link for me, but like I said I tried searching but the situations that people describe are different. I am a recent graduate with a BA in Psychology. I'm taking a year off to pay off some debt and then I am applying to graduate school. I am really interested in I/O psychology and I think I want to get my PhD. BUT I don't want to be limited. Ideally, what I could see myself doing is being a professor at a university and holding a private practice in my home. I have always been interested in therapy BUT not to a degree that I want to devote my whole life to it. Is an MSW right for me? For the longest time I have had this negative attitude toward social work. I was under the assumption that social workers only did work with people who were abused, in poverty, need social welfare support, etc. That did not interest me at all. I then became an RA at my local hospital and found out that one of the therapists had their MSW. I asked the psychologist what the difference was and she said really nothing, a good psychologist and a good social worker can do practically the same thing. I really don't understand. Why have separate degrees? For the longest time I wanted the prestige of having the title "Dr." but I'm starting to realize the extra time, money, stress, etc. may not be worth it especially if I only want to do therapy on the side. Like I stated before I'm interested in I/O. I know that if I get my PhD in I/O I would be qualified to be more than an adjunct professor. Could I become a therapist with a PhD in I/O granted I get licensed and have supervised clinical training or is that not possible? I'm so confused I do not want to be in school for the rest of my life and have THOUSANDS of dollars in debt, but I don't want to limit myself. This might sound silly but my outlook on life is that you only have a limited time I want to do everything I am interested in. I want to teach, provide therapy, and work with businesses to enrich the careers of their employees. Should I get my MSW first, then go for my PhD? I also don't think I am qualified to get right into a PhD program (my understanding is they are very competitive) so I would need to get my MA in I/O first. Again adding another 2+ years. Sorry it's so long -- if anyone can provide help I would appreciate it greatly appreciated.