A little about me : In Need of good advice (Pretty Please? :) )

[AngelaT]

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Hello!

I've made a few posts in the past but I feel like I didn't do a good job of explaining my situation and I'd like to give everyone who is reading this a little bit more background about myself.

I graduated with a B.A in Psychology from a top University. My GPA is not that great but it's not terrible either. It's almost above a 3.5. During my undergraduate studies, I volunteered as a RA for two research labs. I also did an internship at a mental hospital. When I graduated, I took about a year or so off before applying to grad school. Initially, I had plans to take the GRE and apply for PhD programs. Therefore, I took a prep course and signed up to take the test. However, even before I took the GRE I began to get somewhat discouraged. I felt like my research interest wasn't narrow enough and that I could only get two good letters of rec at the time. Additionally, I hadn't really established connection with my professors as an undergraduate and didn't write a thesis or anything. So I decided not to take the GRE and to apply for a Masters instead. During that time, I began volunteering to get some more counseling experience.

I'm somewhat conflicted now as my future goals are still unclear. I thought that if I go for a Masters, that would give me enough time to decide if I really want to pursue a PhD down the road. Furthermore, I could always practice with the degree for a year or two and see whether I would still like to go back for a doctorate. However, I'm having some trouble now finding terminal master programs that would potentially allow me to get a PhD later on.

Can anyone please help me find some top schools in California, New York and possibly Chicago? I've done lots of online search but I can't seem to find anything useful. I would really like to go back to school instead of spending a few more years volunteering to strengthen my application for a PhD....

I'd greatly appreciate your help as I'm hitting a lot of deadlines soon and need to make a decision.

Thanks!!!

 

[JustNoticing]

I'll respond here and see if the mods want to merge your threads.

If you are unsure about a PhD, a terminal master's is the way to go. Outside of Teachers College in your list, I'm curious how you came to add other schools like Chicago School of Professional Psychology? I don't know what your financial status is, but you should definitely think twice before taking out $80,000 to go to TC if you might want to go back to school for another 5-7 years after. Actually, in NYC I would strongly advise against paying this much even if you know you don't want to go back to school. There are city/state schools that offer far more affordable tuition and reputable educations.

Also, you should keep in mind that most of the mental health counseling programs I am familiar with are very clinically oriented. A thesis, or thesis option track would be a good thing to have in your pocket. Otherwise, you will need to seek out research opportunities on your own. Not that this is a bad thing, but something to be aware of.

No matter what degree you get, you can always "get a PhD" later on. However, most clinical programs won't give you a lot of credit for your previous work. Counseling Psych PhD programs tend to be more generous in this regard, and a handful even require an MA for entry.

 

[AngelaT]

Thanks for your response! I greatly appreciate it! You mentioned reputable thesis-oriented programs that are much cheaper; I'm wondering do you know any that you could recommend?

 

[JustNoticing]

It doesn't offer a thesis track, but I know many Brooklyn College students/alum who are happy with their education and training for a fraction of the price. Even one who switched there out of TC. There are definitely other CUNY or SUNY schools that offer the degree, but I don't know much about them. If you end up taking a serious look at Brooklyn, send me a PM.

 

[JustNoticing]

And if you are going to consider expensive NY schools, you might look into NYU's "counseling for mental health and wellness" program. Though I'd lean towards TC between the two.

 

[AngelaT]

And if you are going to consider expensive NY schools, you might look into NYU's "counseling for mental health and wellness" program. Though I'd lean towards TC between the two.

FreudianSlipper, I'm actually also applying to the Mental Health and Wellness program! Out of curiosity, why do you say you like TC's program better?

 

[JustNoticing]

FreudianSlipper, I'm actually also applying to the Mental Health and Wellness program! Out of curiosity, why do you say you like TC's program better?

Just my bias based on extremely small sample size. I wouldn't lend that statement too much credence. TC may lead you towards more research opportunities, both at TC and at the medical campus/Psychiatric Institiute. But I don't know as much about NYU in this regard.

But again, I wouldn't pay for either one. $80,000 in tuition in order to struggle to find a job paying low $40s when you finish. It just doesn't add up.

 

[deleted462159]

I'm not sure if you mentioned the specific degree you want. But have you considered getting a MSW, then becoming a LCSW? You can also receive stipends through CalSWEC to support your education; I believe it's around 18k per year.

 

[Slugathor]

I'm not sure if you mentioned the specific degree you want. But have you considered getting a MSW, then becoming a LCSW? You can also receive stipends through CalSWEC to support your education; I believe it's around 18k per year.

Seconded. It sounds like research isn't really your thing and that you want to stay and do clinical work. There are some great MSW programs in California that would be right up your alley, a good example is the MSW program at CSULB. They have a lot of CALSWEC stipend programs in various clinical areas which will pretty much allow you to graduate debt free, with the only stipulation being that you have to work at a certain agency for a couple of years (given the market at the moment, I don't see how this is a bad thing). Not only that, but you can get your Pupil personnel Services Credential as well if you want to work in schools from CSULB. Frankly, I wish I had waited a bit longer to apply there.