Is This Really The Gamble I Think It Is?

[JackD]

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I still have a few months before i apply to graduate schools and something that has been racking my brain is this idea that there is risk involved in each of the paths i am trying to pursue. As you probably know, i am want to be a clinical psychologist. To do this, i figure i have two viable routes. Either get a non-terminating masters in clinical psychology or get a masters in mental health counseling. I figure both have strenghts and weaknesses.

A masters in MHC would take longer, cost more money, and there are some key difference between clinical and counseling but it is safer. If i can't get into a doctoral program or for some reason, no longer want to, i would be fine, since i could work as a MHC and pretty much do what i want to do.

Then again, getting a masters in clinical psychology would be faster, cheaper, more focused but there is no safety net. You can't do much with a non-terminal masters, you definitely can't get licensed, and there is always the chance that i could get rejected from a doctoral program, even after obtaining a masters.

The question is, do i apply for MHC programs or masters programs in clinical psychology? It feels like there are risks and rewards to either route and both seem pretty even. What am wondering, am i weighing these incorrectly? Is there one option that is clearly better than the other? You folks know more about this stuff than i do, so what do you think?

Keep in mind, due to some problems, going directly to a doctoral program after i have my BS is not really an option.

 

[erg923]

I guess the first question you might want to ask yourself is, "Why do I want to be a clinical psychologist?" If your ONLY answer is, "I want to do therapy with people," I would look hard at other options. Clinical Psychology programs and your years of training are alot more than learning therapy. It's a ton of research, a ton of writing, statistics, psychometrics, assessments, report writing etc... It is also an all consuming endeavor for about 5-6 years of your life. Other options (i.e., the MHC masters) can prepare you to do counseling with psychiatric populations.

However, the versatile and varying nature of graduate training is one of the beauties of being a psychologist. You can do so many things. So if you do want to go for it, the best option for Ph.D programs is getting an RA position for a year or two. This is what the Ph.D Programs need to see...your commitment and ability for research. If your goal is Psy.D, or you need graduate work to improve the look of your GPA, I think either the masters or the MHC degree would serve you well. The monetary cost-benefit analysis is up to you, not sure I could comment there. I actually went to a masters program first and then got a great job afterwards working as a psychometrician (giving neuropsych tests for a psychologist) at a well respected academic medical center. So the training in assessment in my masters programs really paid off in that case. I wouldn't have had that opportunity if I had gone a to MHC program, because I'm pretty sure they don't train their students in psychological assessment. It was a great paying job too..about $22/hour. I was making more than any of the masters level therapists I knew. Bottom line is that I think either are good options, especially for the Psy.D. route. However, a masters in clinical might give you a slightly better feel for what further training in a doctoral level clinical program would be like.

 

[cara susanna]

I was told that most MAs in clinical are terminating. So you may want to look into a masters for experimental psych or something that isn't clinical, but will make you a more competitive applicant for doctoral programs. Mind you, that is only if you decide to go Clinical PhD.

 

[JackD]

If your goal is Psy.D, or you need graduate work to improve the look of your GPA, I think either the masters or the MHC degree would serve you well. The monetary cost-benefit analysis is up to you, not sure I could comment there. I actually went to a masters program first and then got a great job afterwards working as a psychometrician (giving neuropsych tests for a psychologist) at a well respected academic medical center.

Yeah, i don't want to be a researcher. If i was going to do that, it probably wouldn't be in clinical.

What you are saying though is that there are jobs for people with non-licensable masters in clinical? Of course you could go get a job but ones actually related to psychology?

 

[Ollie123]

Well, you didn't say that you were specifically looking at non-licensable master's in clinical. There are licensable clinical psych master's programs.

I mean, there are jobs for those too, but they aren't really clinical.

 

[JackD]

Well, you didn't say that you were specifically looking at non-licensable master's in clinical. There are licensable clinical psych master's programs.

I mean, there are jobs for those too, but they aren't really clinical.

Well i'm not exactly going out of my way to get one that is non-licensable that just seems to be how they work. You either go for the terminal, which you can practice with or you go for the non-terminal which flows nicely into a PsyD program but doesn't have the elements required for licensing, which are meant as a stepping stone to a psyd program. However, there are no guarantees there. The schools i am looking at all seem to have those kinds of clinical masters degrees. What i can't figure out is if there is anything you can do with those if the doctoral thing doesn't happen or if going a safer route is a better idea.

 

[erg923]

Yeah, i don't want to be a researcher. If i was going to do that, it probably wouldn't be in clinical.

What you are saying though is that there are jobs for people with non-licensable masters in clinical? Of course you could go get a job but ones actually related to psychology?

Yes, but not jobs doing therapy, cause you are not licensed

Yes, as i said, I went to a masters in clinical that did not give me the appropriate preparation for licensing, because it was designed as a stepping stone to a Ph.D (a non-terminal masters). However, because the program did train me in assessment, it ended up giving me the qualifications necessary to work as a psychometrician in a hospital (administering neuropsychological tests under the supervision of a psychologist), one of the greatest learning experiences I could have asked for. This position DID NOT require a license of any kind because I was not doing any kind of therapy with these people. It was a great experience though because you do get to use your basic clinical skills of rapport building, you get comfortable being around patients, and you learn a heck of alot about testing/assessment and psychodiagnostics. Psychometrician positions like this are fairly plentiful in urban areas that have lots of hospitals, or lots of psychologists in practice. Other "clinically oriented" positions you could get with a non-terminal masters include doing research analysis within a clinical environment, or being a caseworker at community mental health center, although this is very much like being a social worker I've heard

 

[KillerDiller]

It sounds like the optimal program for you would be a terminal Masters in clinical psychology that does put you on track for licensure. They definitely do exist. There's also the MSW degree to consider that allows you to practice social work.

If you aren't interested in doing research, you don't want to be in a Ph.D program anyway. A large component of these programs is devoted to clinical research. A clinically focused Psy.D program might be an option, but these tend to be more expensive than Masters programs and a doctoral degree is not necessary unless you feel the need to be in a supervisory position.

 

[JackD]

I'm starting to think that the MHC is the way to go then. I keeps the psyd option open but doesn't handicap me if don't go on after that. I could still be a clinician, which is ultimately what i want to do. I'm not sure if i have it completely figured out yet but i still have time.