International student: Masters/PsyD or perhaps PhD in Clinical Psych?

[vainpot]

I'm a Malaysian who plans to study in the U.S. and currently working as a freelance ABA therapist (not certified, don't need to be certified in Malaysia) teaching children with autism for a year and a half now (somewhat supervised by a consultant). After finishing my undergraduate studies, I plan to pursue my Masters in Clinical Psychology but due to financial issues and lack of working experience, I've decided to put it on hold. It's already July and it's probably time for me to get out from my comfort zone. Another reason why I didn't want to do my Masters immediately is because I've so many questions pondering around my head! Where do I start...


I always thought to myself that I'll be pursuing my Masters in Australia but after finding out that it cost a bomb, I had to search for alternative option, pursue it in Malaysia or even give up the idea of having a Masters. In Malaysia, there isn't any Psychology Board (is this what you call it?) like APA, BSP, or APS. We don't need any license to practice as long as you took your Masters degree in that particular field which is why I wanted the fastest way to complete my Masters and start practicing.


In the beginning, I've only considered taking my Masters degree but after much research on Universities, I found out that Murdoch University, Australia offers PsyD program that only takes 3 years to complete (if a person performs well in their 1st year of Masters, he/she will be eligible to pursue another 2 years of PsyD). Knowing that, I've opened up my option since I would still be able to continue my Masters if I'm not eligible for PsyD. As mentioned, I may consider working in a foreign country in the far future that is why having any form of doctorate is somewhat necessary. Unfortunately, the tuition fees is way beyond what my family could afford.


I've talked to my ex-lecturer from my undergraduate school and she advised me to look up to the universities in the U.S. as they offer some form of fee waiver, assitantship, and etc. To my surprise, many of the PhD programs offer a full waiver. I'm not too sure whether international students receive the same offer. If it applies to international students as well, I wouldn't mind trying PhD (still prefer PsyD) but I've always been an average student. Previously, I've taken my undergraduate studies in an univesity that follows the U.K. system and received a second class honours (upper division) which is approximately equivalent to a GPA of 3.33-3.67 according to http://www.fulbright.org.uk/study-in-the-usa/postgraduate-study/applying/transcript#how do i convert . I don't know what to expect from a PsyD/PhD program, I did struggle through my undergraduate studies (I'm a procrastinator, hopefully I'll be pushed to change this habit as I advance) but always manage to get things done in the end of the day. I'm a person who always manage to handle the situation in the end of the day but leaping towards a PsyD/PhD program seems pretty intimidating.


As for research, I don't mind designing a research but I'm quite poor in the writing up process. Writing has always been my weak point. Any recommendations on how to improve on my academic write up? Last but not least, I've also read through some of the post in this forum saying that international students have difficulties finding an internship placement in a VA. What is an VA actually? Why is it so high in demand? I know this is a long-winded post. I'm hoping to get some useful advice from you guys especially from those who went through what I'm facing now. Thanks a lot!


EDIT:
To sum it up:
1) I'm more interested in clinical-oriented programs compared to research-oriented programs.
2) Will international students receive the same fee waiver?
3) How can I improve my academic write up? What I've learned in my undergraduate seems different from what I've read in journals.
4) How is the internship placement like for international students?
5) I don't know what to expect from a PsyD or PhD program.

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[CheetahGirl]

EDIT:
To sum it up:
1) I'm more interested in clinical-oriented programs compared to research-oriented programs.
2) Will international students receive the same fee waiver?
3) How can I improve my academic write up? What I've learned in my undergraduate seems different from what I've read in journals.
4) How is the internship placement like for international students?
5) I don't know what to expect from a PsyD or PhD program.

If you decide to go the US route, rather than the Australian route, here are my brief thoughts:

1) Seems like you want to do clinical work but don't deter from PhD programs in clinical psych, you can end up just a practicing clinician after you do the necessary research to get out of graduate school (i.e. dissertation). You want schools with the practitioner-scholar (or Vail) model. Also, you can find funded PsyD programs – there are several highly-reputable ones.

2) Yes, international students will receive same fee waiver once it is offered. I've known of candidates that have interviewed by Skype and were accepted based on the individualized (Skype) interview, credentials and recommendations.

3) Your writing (based on this posting) is very clear, and you are articulating your thoughts clearly in a second language (I'm assuming). I think you will do fine. Many times you learn as you go and you will get constant feedback along the way about your writing. And you do a ton of writing in graduate school. Search SDN for somewhat recent threads about academic writing...it generally improves along the way. Keep reading academic journals. It will improve your writing skills to be absorbed in academic reading. Plus, most US universities have writing centers that can give you specific tips.

4) For internship applications (at the end of your training), in your search you will check a box that eliminates sites that want only US-citizens for internship. VA stands for Veterans Administration- VA Hospitals will not allow you to apply, which is fine. There are many other sites to look at once you get to that point.

5) Search SDN for past threads about the distinction between the PsyD and PhD. It is discussed in detail here.

If your main concerns included finances, only look at funded programs. Be realistic about your options. It will also cost you a bit to apply to US schools and satisfy the necessary requirements, but good international students are always welcome because it takes a lot of courage, discipline and intelligence to study abroad - which initially speaks to the character and motivation of the person who applies. If you go thru with all this, you will (at the very least) get your desired Masters after your 2nd year, so if it becomes too much – you can leave your program then. You will not be obligated to finish (even if you were fully-funded), although your program may try to work with you to get you finish.

I wish you well & good luck!

 

[vainpot]

If you decide to go the US route, rather than the Australian route, here are my brief thoughts:

1) Seems like you want to do clinical work but don't deter from PhD programs in clinical psych, you can end up just a practicing clinician after you do the necessary research to get out of graduate school (i.e. dissertation). You want schools with the practitioner-scholar (or Vail) model. Also, you can find funded PsyD programs – there are several highly-reputable ones.

2) Yes, international students will receive same fee waiver once it is offered. I've known of candidates that have interviewed by Skype and were accepted based on the individualized (Skype) interview, credentials and recommendations.

3) Your writing (based on this posting) is very clear, and you are articulating your thoughts clearly in a second language (I’m assuming). I think you will do fine. Many times you learn as you go and you will get constant feedback along the way about your writing. And you do a ton of writing in graduate school. Search SDN for somewhat recent threads about academic writing...it generally improves along the way. Keep reading academic journals. It will improve your writing skills to be absorbed in academic reading. Plus, most US universities have writing centers that can give you specific tips.

4) For internship applications (at the end of your training), in your search you will check a box that eliminates sites that want only US-citizens for internship. VA stands for Veterans Administration- VA Hospitals will not allow you to apply, which is fine. There are many other sites to look at once you get to that point.

5) Search SDN for past threads about the distinction between the PsyD and PhD. It is discussed in detail here.

If your main concerns included finances, only look at funded programs. Be realistic about your options. It will also cost you a bit to apply to US schools and satisfy the necessary requirements, but good international students are always welcome because it takes a lot of courage, discipline and intelligence to study abroad - which initially speaks to the character and motivation of the person who applies. If you go thru with all this, you will (at the very least) get your desired Masters after your 2nd year, so if it becomes too much – you can leave your program then. You will not be obligated to finish (even if you were fully-funded), although your program may try to work with you to get you finish.

I wish you well & good luck!

First of all thank you very much for the helpful information 😀 Really appreciate it!

1) From what you have mentioned, " you can end up just a practicing clinician " I could still conduct research in the future to pick up more knowledge on it right? Anyway, I've seen many people who recommends Baylor University as they fully fund their students or even Rutger University (partially funded).

2) Good to hear that

3) From this posting, it's very different from academic write up. I hope I would be able to catch up in time to improve my writing. I'll check up some threads later on how to improve my academic writing. I'm also very glad to know that US universities have writing centers to help the students! (extremely useful information)

4) I was worried that international students won't be able to complete the program for not being able to get an internship placement accredited by APA.

5) I'll check it up in detail. I've read some of them. Most of them are not that detail, mentioning that PsyD is more costly and it's more clinical-oriented.

"If you go thru with all this, you will (at the very least) get your desired Masters after your 2nd year, so if it becomes too much – you can leave your program then. You will not be obligated to finish (even if you were fully-funded), although your program may try to work with you to get you finish."

I didn't know that we could actually do that! I'm relieved to hear that! If that's the case, I won't need to worry of not getting any form of degree. (Fantastic information 😀 )

Once again, thank you very much! Now I'm another step nearer to my goal!