Thanks for your response, that helps. I really don't envy your decision -- I've been there and it sucks because there are so many unknown factors. Here are my thoughts, but bear in mind that I am less familiar with PsyD programs so perhaps others can comment on those specifically.
1) Entering a counseling program is good in that you would be working toward an advanced degree. I don't mean to imply you won't be successful at getting into a PsyD program, but it is never bad to have a backup plan - you never know what can happen in your life. Plus you get to defer your loans -- that's a big factor. I say go for it.
2) My experience has been that graduate courses taken in other fields are sometimes not transferable to doctoral psych programs. That is, you might find it difficult to have some courses you take in a counseling program "count" for credit toward a PsyD degree. I got my MA in clinical psych at a different school than my PhD institution, and there was a limitation on how many & which courses they would count for credit toward the PhD. I guess what I'm saying is be prepared to possibly start from square one when you enter a doctoral program, just in case nothing transfers. But I like your idea of looking ahead & trying to take generic prereqs during the first year of your program.
3) Which courses to take -- obviously it depends on the doctoral program you're looking at, which is frustrating. Some don't have any prereqs, or have very few, but other seem to want several basics at the undergrad level. If you can take them through your counseling program, consider developmental psych, any kind of research design (even though you had a criminal justice course, probably would be good to have another), and physiological psych or sensation/perception. Would be a good idea to take the stats course at the community college. Actually, all those courses that you listed thru the community college would be helpful, but I'd definitely take the stats one and/or research methodology.
4) Remember that application deadlines are early in the year (usually Jan thru March), so if you're planning to apply for the next round you'll only really have a semester to build your application. Pick classes most closely related to psychology (like those listed above), work on the GRE scores, try to get involved in a little researchm, volunteer somewhere to get different experience -- all of these ideas could help. I really think what helps more than anything is to have strong letters of recommendation & to take a personal approach to the application process. Really target the schools you're interested in. Contact specific professors, visit them, tailor your application to reflect why you'd be a good fit for those specific individuals (making sure that they are specifically taking on new students for the following year -- sometimes they aren't). Standing out or knowing somebody is often what gets you in. Look for any kind of back door into getting to know somebody at the school(s) you're interested in. Volunteer to help students at those programs with their research (students who are working with faculty you're interesting in working with). Take an undergrad class at the same institution (if possible) -- try to get into a class taught by one of the faculty members you're interested in working with.
4) Have you looked at Argosy in Arlington? I really don't care for the program (it's huge, it's expensive, etc.), but personal biases aside it seems to require minimal prereqs. What we're talking about is getting the degree you want, and if that's a way to accomplish the main goal, then it could be a possibility or a backup. Have a few schools that are just backups, a few that are ideal, and lots that are in the middle.
Good luck -- I really don't think there's a wrong choice here, so just do what's best for you as of right now. Sounds like the counseling program is a good choice for quite a few reasons. Keep us posted!
. I was offered the part time job I spoke about BUT now I will have to decline since I will no longer going to be taking classes in the days.
