I am graduating in May with a degree in Classics (humanities) what are my chances, and how should I go about, getting into a counseling program?
Any information is appreciated
Getting into a counseling MA program without having a psychology BA
- Thread starter random86
- Start date
I am graduating in May with a degree in Classics (humanities) what are my chances, and how should I go about, getting into a counseling program?
Any information is appreciated
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2009
- Messages
- 75
- Reaction score
- 0
Some schools are a lot stricter than others, but it's still possible to get into a good CACREP-accredited program without having a degree in anything psychology-related. Schools who are more lenient will at least require that you have taken a certain number of psychology courses in your undergrad (or will specify certain pre-reqs that you can take before matriculation)... while some may even just take people with no background at all on a case by case basis.
One thing that might help you out a bit is to do some volunteering with a local mental health agency, community counseling service, group home, etc. Office work, fund raising, working on a crisis hot line... anything that will give you some exposure to counseling/mental health and will show schools that you're interested. Or... get a job at a residential home! Many just want someone there to make sure the residents are taken care of/don't escape. Some of my class mates have done or are currently doing this. One in particular has his undergrad in business...
I also recommend doing some heavy internet research to see what you can find out and start talking to schools that you think look interesting. If you want to help people and are interested in psychology/counseling... we (as in everyone) definitely need more people like you in the field! By that, I mean people who are willing to grow outside of their normal area of focus.
Anyway... let us know what you find out. I am sure there are a lot of people here who can offer you some good pointers.
One thing that might help you out a bit is to do some volunteering with a local mental health agency, community counseling service, group home, etc. Office work, fund raising, working on a crisis hot line... anything that will give you some exposure to counseling/mental health and will show schools that you're interested. Or... get a job at a residential home! Many just want someone there to make sure the residents are taken care of/don't escape. Some of my class mates have done or are currently doing this. One in particular has his undergrad in business...
I also recommend doing some heavy internet research to see what you can find out and start talking to schools that you think look interesting. If you want to help people and are interested in psychology/counseling... we (as in everyone) definitely need more people like you in the field! By that, I mean people who are willing to grow outside of their normal area of focus.
Anyway... let us know what you find out. I am sure there are a lot of people here who can offer you some good pointers.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2007
- Messages
- 202
- Reaction score
- 0
Just throwing a question out there, I know this is an older thread.
I'm still sort of in the same dilemma I was in 2 years ago (not that anyone remembers me
). My long term goal is to be a Ph.D. or Psy.D. However I have a bachelors in Mass Communication/English. I started looking at this board 2 years ago, and reading up on what it takes to get to grad school...and felt extremely overwhelmed and like I'd have no chance at all to get in. I volunteered for about a month, but then got a job that took up full time. The job is for a mental health organization/hospital. However I'm in an assistant role, for the public relations department. Over the two years I acquired some duties that entail me going to the hospitals' patient safety meetings/medical executive committee meeting, etc. So while I'm definitely surrounded by mental health, my experience is on the administrative side, and I've seen a lot of 'behind the scenes' as to what goes into running a hospital etc. But I don't go on the units at all unless just to post a bulletin or some such thing.
Does that ^ warrant as experience at all? Or would I still be somewhat of a lost cause? I'm thinking getting a masters first, just to catch up from what I don't have from BS, might help lead into a doctorate. Would that be enough experience at least for a master's? Thoughts, anyone? I did get about 12 credits of psych in my last undergrad year, but not enough for a minor either. a little too late on that one.
I'm still sort of in the same dilemma I was in 2 years ago (not that anyone remembers me
). My long term goal is to be a Ph.D. or Psy.D. However I have a bachelors in Mass Communication/English. I started looking at this board 2 years ago, and reading up on what it takes to get to grad school...and felt extremely overwhelmed and like I'd have no chance at all to get in. I volunteered for about a month, but then got a job that took up full time. The job is for a mental health organization/hospital. However I'm in an assistant role, for the public relations department. Over the two years I acquired some duties that entail me going to the hospitals' patient safety meetings/medical executive committee meeting, etc. So while I'm definitely surrounded by mental health, my experience is on the administrative side, and I've seen a lot of 'behind the scenes' as to what goes into running a hospital etc. But I don't go on the units at all unless just to post a bulletin or some such thing.Does that ^ warrant as experience at all? Or would I still be somewhat of a lost cause? I'm thinking getting a masters first, just to catch up from what I don't have from BS, might help lead into a doctorate. Would that be enough experience at least for a master's? Thoughts, anyone? I did get about 12 credits of psych in my last undergrad year, but not enough for a minor either. a little too late on that one.
Similar threads
