Advice for my situation

[jbeyer]

Hi,
My name is Jonathan and up until about 3 months ago I was planning on medical school, familial pressures and such. But with that realization I thought about what classes I've enjoyed and the answer was pschology. I would like to become a therapist.
I have about 8 credits to complete before I get my B.S in neurobiology and physiology from the university of Maryland college park. I will be graduating with a 3.2, hopefully depending on my final semester grades.
I'm trying to figure out my options and timeline and I needed some help.

I will be graduating in December of 2010. I don't have many psychology classes due to it being a limited enrollment program. This summer I'm going to be taking a social psychology class and in the fall a memory and cognition class.
I've realized that my gpa isn't good enough for a phd program so I'm going to go to a masters program first. I live in the dc metro area and I would like to stay in the area. I have not started studying for the gre. What is the best time line/ schedule for me. When to apply? Take the gre? ... And any other questions I can't think of ...
I am looking forward for all your answers
Jonathan.

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[spirit guy]

There are terminal master degree programs you can do to become a therapist/counselor.
Most are 2 years and include internships.
Such programs lead to licensure as:
Mental health counselor/therapists, family therapists, art/musik/drama therapists

Once you get your degree, you can sit for the exams after a certain number of hours are done. Depends on your state.

Look at the grad schools and they list pre-reqs.
such are abnormal psych, theories of personality and developmental psych.
Some schools want a BA in psych, whereas others only a BA with the pre-reqs.
See what they are then maybe switch to those pre-reqs for summer courses?

Maybe you can volunteer at a mental health agency for some experience.

Sometimes grad schools will conditionally accept you while you are doing the pre-reqs.
This, of course, is for Masters.
If you are hell-bent on PHd or Psy D then that is different.

 

[progter]

what type of research exp do you have?

and are you actually going into the field because you want to or because you realized your 3.2 is a huge red flag to med schools? I'm not trying to be rude, just honest.