Licensure after MA/MS while in PhD program

[UhOh]

I've heard from a couple of different APA-accredited Clinical programs that some students get licensed while in the program, after they earn their MA or MS degree and before they earn their PhD. Has anyone else heard of this? How is this done, like what is the process and what are the requirements for getting licensed under these conditions? Is it necessary to be in an APA-accredited Clinical program, rather than, say, some other kind of PhD program in order to get licensed before getting your PhD?

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[AcronymAllergy]

I've heard from a couple of different APA-accredited Clinical programs that some students get licensed while in the program, after they earn their MA or MS degree and before they earn their PhD. Has anyone else heard of this? How is this done, like what is the process and what are the requirements for getting licensed under these conditions? Is it necessary to be in an APA-accredited Clinical program, rather than, say, some other kind of PhD program in order to get licensed before getting your PhD?

Is this for a pre-earned master's degree in something like counseling or social work? If not, I'm not sure how one could get licensed, as the MA/MS in clinical psychology that you earn along the way to a Ph.D. is fairly useless. Perhaps this varies by state, but I've never heard of it. Interesting.

 

[bmedclinic]

I'm guessing most programs that do this have their students get an LPC.
We have one student doing that right now. Even though I'm in a clinical program, our coursework meets the LPC requirements so technically we've all reached the coursework requirements, but have no reason to go through with the licensure (I think). One student of ours is in a special situation though (funded differently) so I think she needs to do that.

 

[psydtobe]

I have my MA already and have been gaining hours towards LPC licensure prior to admission. I am hoping to be licensed this fall before starting school. This way if I do any fee for service work I can bill at a higher rate 🙂

 

[Student4Life0]

I will also be entering a doctoral program with my MA, and am LPC eligble. How could I have the time to work towards the 3000 hours while in a doctoral program? Do practicum hours count?

 

[docma]

You need to study the state law's carefully and probably also consult with your school. Typically, you cannot count hours accrued for one license towards another one as well. However, it is legitimate as far as I know to get a license based on qualifying hours enroute to or during/following a masters and then apply your pre and post-doc internship hours toward a psychologist license.

If it is do-able there are significant potential values in being able to work as a licensed professional at the master's level while you are in the post-doc/pre-licensure limbo before the psychology license is attained.

Some internships and post-docs see an existing license as a positive asset.
Just remember that the licensure process for any profession is often a big commitment of time and money and requires careful attention to the regulatory details.

 

[Neuropsych2be]

You need to study the state law's carefully and probably also consult with your school. Typically, you cannot count hours accrued for one license towards another one as well. However, it is legitimate as far as I know to get a license based on qualifying hours enroute to or during/following a masters and then apply your pre and post-doc internship hours toward a psychologist license.

If it is do-able there are significant potential values in being able to work as a licensed professional at the master's level while you are in the post-doc/pre-licensure limbo before the psychology license is attained.

Some internships and post-docs see an existing license as a positive asset.
Just remember that the licensure process for any profession is often a big commitment of time and money and requires careful attention to the regulatory details.

Let me second this. Having a license to practice as an LPC LMHC etc ... could be very helpful in your post-doc year.