Accounting major- interested in pursuing a psychology PHD...

[UnicornDemon]

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So, I'm an accounting major now at the University of Miami, but I hate accounting. I'm going to be a junior next year. I have a good GPA (3.98). I've recently considered the idea of graduating, working as an accountant for a few years to save up money, and then obtaining a Master's and PhD in psychology. I just had a few questions I wanted to ask:

1. I can minor in psychology before graduating. Apart from that, will I be expected to take several pre-requisite courses before pursuing a Master's? Or can I just jump right in?
2. How severely will the fact that my undergraduate degree is accounting affect my chances of getting into a good program?
3. Do you have to pay tuition to pursue a PhD in psychology? If so, it is expensive?

 

[erg923]

So, I'm an accounting major now at the University of Miami, but I hate accounting. I'm going to be a junior next year. I have a good GPA (3.98). I've recently considered the idea of graduating, working as an accountant for a few years to save up money, and then obtaining a Master's and PhD in psychology. I just had a few questions I wanted to ask:

1. I can minor in psychology before graduating. Apart from that, will I be expected to take several pre-requisite courses before pursuing a Master's? Or can I just jump right in?
2. How severely will the fact that my undergraduate degree is accounting affect my chances of getting into a good program?
3. Do you have to pay tuition to pursue a PhD in psychology? If so, it is expensive?

1. what area/branch of psychology? What do you want to do?

2. You will not be competitive for Ph.D. programs unless you obtain significant research experience.

 

[UnicornDemon]

1. what area/branch of psychology? What do you want to do?

2. You will not be competitive for Ph.D. programs unless you obtain significant research experience.

1. I have no idea. I was just tossing around the idea and wanted to hear some input on whether it was even feasible. This may be vague, but I was interested in working as a professor while operating a private practice on the side. I'm not sure if that's a practical idea or not.

2. I know a few psychologists who originally did an unrelated major (such as working in Finance or business) but then went back to pursue a PhD in psychology. That's why I figured it was possible for me to do so. How significant are we talking here- like multiple years of research? Can I begin to conduct research as an undergraduate despite not being a psychology major? Can I conduct research as a student in a Master's program?

 

[erg923]

1. I have no idea. I was just tossing around the idea and wanted to hear some input on whether it was even feasible. This may be vague, but I was interested in working as a professor while operating a private practice on the side. I'm not sure what if that's a practical idea or not.

2. I know a few psychologists who originally did an unrelated major (such as working in Finance or business) but then went back to pursue a degree in psychology. That's why I figured it was possible for me to do so. How significant are we talking here- like multiple years of research? Can I begin to conduct research as an undergraduate despite not being a psychology major? Can I conduct research as a student in a Master's program?

1. a.) Then you will have to apply to clinical psychology programs or counseling psychology programs. b.) I can then assume you are highly interested in research if you want an academic career.? c.) you might want to research how competitive it is to both get in to a ph.d program and to get tenure-track academic positions.

2. yes. yes and yes.

 

[psycguy85]

1. I have no idea. I was just tossing around the idea and wanted to hear some input on whether it was even feasible. This may be vague, but I was interested in working as a professor while operating a private practice on the side. I'm not sure if that's a practical idea or not.

2. I know a few psychologists who originally did an unrelated major (such as working in Finance or business) but then went back to pursue a PhD in psychology. That's why I figured it was possible for me to do so. How significant are we talking here- like multiple years of research? Can I begin to conduct research as an undergraduate despite not being a psychology major? Can I conduct research as a student in a Master's program?

Ditto to everything erg23 just said. Also, UM has a great undergraduate research program. I'm not sure if you have to be a psychology major to participate, but here is the link to their site so you can get more information:

http://www.psy.miami.edu/undergraduate/welcome.phtml