Coming up with a plan.

[commymommy]

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I have spent the last few months contemplating my interest level in terms of research, clinical work and where I would like to see myself in the next 10 years.

Background? I have a BS in Psychology and German (double major). My psych gpa is above 3.9 for my last two years. I also did post-bacc work in biology and have an MS in Mol. Bio. (with a strong research project). I'll have to retake the GRE because mine is more than 10 years old, but...if I can score like I did 10 years ago I think I would have a competetive score.

Since finishing my MS (2001) I have taught off and on at the college level in bioogy.

I have decided that the best route for me is Clinical Psychology because of my interest in research on the biology of behavior. I have done projects to this effect since my post-bacc days and my *minor* during my master's program was neuropharm.

My question is: Where do I go from here? I have no real psych coursework and no research experience since graduating in 2001. This is due in part to location and the fact that I have 5 children...

I would like to pave the way for myself to get back into this and be a competitive applicant. Our local university does offer an MS in counseling psychology, but I think this might end up being a diversion and maybe a waste of time.

I am considering starting out by taking some graduate courses in psychology to get me feet wet again and meet some professors. Would taking coursework at this point be enough or do I need to consider getting back into the lab or doing clinical work?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ollie123]

If you can take graduate coursework it certainly won't HURT, but it will likely take more than that to make you competitive. You have a solid undergrad GPA even if it was awhile ago, so maybe another course or two is a good idea to get back into it and show you can still handle it, but don't go nuts.

I think research is the most important thing to get back into, at least if you're planning on a PhD. Some volunteer clinical experience doesn't hurt either, but for PhD programs, research is what will get you in. Get in a lab, get involved, get a poster or two, maybe a publication or two if you have the opportunity. Just throw yourself into it and show that this is what you really want, and it sounds like you should be pretty competitive. I don't know when you wanted to apply, it might take another year or two to get some experience.

Also, many programs will love the bio background, so that should help too.

 

[commymommy]

Regarding volunteer experience....

I am actually currently working as a volunteer for a cancer organization as a support person for people with a certain issue....I did go through a training...ummm...hour...😀 and have only worked with two people. Basically, I talk with them by phone and by email.

Would that count?

It is...psychological support, but not supervised or as a professional by any stetch of the imagination.

 

[coloradocutter]

What types of clinical experiences are you talking about and how do you get it?

 

[amy203]

Hi commymommy!

I agree with Ollie - in most cases, even if you are applying to fairly clinically-oriented programs, research experience is what gets you in.

Are you in the twin cities area? There are A TON of professors at UMN conducting research on the biology of behavior. I would spend some time looking at their research to see what interests you, and then contact a few to see if you can volunteer in their lab. Some are going to be more open to it then others, but you should be able to find someone. If you say a little more about your interests, I may even be able to suggest a few people.

 

[JR in SB]

What types of clinical experiences are you talking about and how do you get it?

There are tons of ways to gain clinical experience. Here's a few: take calls at crisis/ suicide hotlines, work with people with developmental disabilities or autism, be a tech at a hospital psych ward or substance abuse treatment facility.....there are lots of opportunities, you just have to find them.