Hi Everyone, wondering if someone could help shed some light for me below? thanks!
or...where can I find good Master's programs that
--will provide competitive edge in getting to doctoral program...if i go for a counseling MA and approach prof for research opps, will that help or should i go general education route?
--MA programs that are good in 1) counseling (I'm interested in getting MFT from CA) and/or 2) equally strong in research/practicioner based study (but still able to obtain licensure if i don't pursue doctorate program)
--i am making huge career change from business to health field and concerned about what will help prepare me to get into a good master's program
--because i'm in my 30s, i may end up not wanting to pursue a doctorate (based on family, etc..), so i want to make sure that i have the option of obtaining work with just a master's...is this possible?
--mainly interested in good bay area, CA programs to be close to my family (currently in NYC)
--my goal is to be in counseling/private practice...mood disorders, body, family, cultural issues, etc.. i've spoken with some Ph.D. students and they have said that with the state of insurance companies now, having academia option (Teaching, research) provides greater income. i would like to have that flexibility, as i wouldn't mind teaching, but that's not my main goal right now. of course, who knows once i'm actually in school...which, brings me to my next question: if i'm in a counseling program, is it possible to switch to a more research-oriented program and not be considered "indecisive" by doctoral programs?
thanks so much!
Hi everyone,
thank goodness i found this group and i hope that someone can help me out/refer me to right place.
Here is my situation (sorry if long):
* After 10 years of working in non-health related field (clothing buyer), I want to pursue psychology graduate degree
* Long - term goal: private practice as a therapist/counselor.
* Want to attend school in CA, esp Bay Area, to be close to my family (currently live in NYC)
I have a Psych B.A., but it's been over 10 years since I graduated. From what I understand, I should obtain a Ph.D or Psy.D. so that I can have a private practice, make some money and counsel people.
However, I discovered that this may not be the case if I live in CA, as I could obtain a MFT and have private practice, just not the income...is this true?
Meanwhile, because this a career change, the odds of me getting into a doctorate program are slim...and I wouldn't be able to obtain any faculty recommendations. So, that is why I am looking to get into a Master's program...but, I cannot seem to find information on good programs (would like to focus on CA/Bay Area) that:
* would allow me the flexibility of applying to a doctorate program if I choose to..so, I assume one that would have some research focus in additional to clinical work
* just general ratings of master's programs, other than online programs. I would prefer a college/university setting as I think that would help me for doctorate program admissions...is this correct?
* some master programs that i have looked into for the Bay Area are terminal programs, such as Santa Clara U, SJS, etc. so they are practitioner focused. They seem okay to me since I want to counsel people, but, again, what if during my grad studies, I decide that I may want to added flexibility of doing research and teaching and getting more income?
* then comes the question of MA in Counseling Psych vs MA Clinical Psych....
* finally, some people have mentioned to me that I could also see a MSW, but from what I'm reading, the MSW is a different career track and would really focus on work in an agency setting and may hinder me for doctoral programs. is this true? Do people get MSW and MFT...
* again, my goal right now is to be able to counsel people, have private practice or work in small group settings...i would like to have the flexibility during this time to get the research aspect since that is what doctoral programs seem to focus on, such as Stanford and UCB...not sure what to do...
Sorry if this post is so long..I've been looking so long for good information and there's so much out there and it gets confusing.
The book I have (Norcross) focuses on doctorate programs and not master's programs...if someone knows of good reference for master's, I'd be most appreciative.
I would love some direction and feedback and general advice.
The only thing I know for certain is that I need to take the GRE, which I plan on taking next month.
Pls feel free to reply or PM me. THANKS so much!!!
or...where can I find good Master's programs that
--will provide competitive edge in getting to doctoral program...if i go for a counseling MA and approach prof for research opps, will that help or should i go general education route?
--MA programs that are good in 1) counseling (I'm interested in getting MFT from CA) and/or 2) equally strong in research/practicioner based study (but still able to obtain licensure if i don't pursue doctorate program)
--i am making huge career change from business to health field and concerned about what will help prepare me to get into a good master's program
--because i'm in my 30s, i may end up not wanting to pursue a doctorate (based on family, etc..), so i want to make sure that i have the option of obtaining work with just a master's...is this possible?
--mainly interested in good bay area, CA programs to be close to my family (currently in NYC)
--my goal is to be in counseling/private practice...mood disorders, body, family, cultural issues, etc.. i've spoken with some Ph.D. students and they have said that with the state of insurance companies now, having academia option (Teaching, research) provides greater income. i would like to have that flexibility, as i wouldn't mind teaching, but that's not my main goal right now. of course, who knows once i'm actually in school...which, brings me to my next question: if i'm in a counseling program, is it possible to switch to a more research-oriented program and not be considered "indecisive" by doctoral programs?
thanks so much!
Hi everyone,
thank goodness i found this group and i hope that someone can help me out/refer me to right place.
Here is my situation (sorry if long):
* After 10 years of working in non-health related field (clothing buyer), I want to pursue psychology graduate degree
* Long - term goal: private practice as a therapist/counselor.
* Want to attend school in CA, esp Bay Area, to be close to my family (currently live in NYC)
I have a Psych B.A., but it's been over 10 years since I graduated. From what I understand, I should obtain a Ph.D or Psy.D. so that I can have a private practice, make some money and counsel people.
However, I discovered that this may not be the case if I live in CA, as I could obtain a MFT and have private practice, just not the income...is this true?
Meanwhile, because this a career change, the odds of me getting into a doctorate program are slim...and I wouldn't be able to obtain any faculty recommendations. So, that is why I am looking to get into a Master's program...but, I cannot seem to find information on good programs (would like to focus on CA/Bay Area) that:
* would allow me the flexibility of applying to a doctorate program if I choose to..so, I assume one that would have some research focus in additional to clinical work
* just general ratings of master's programs, other than online programs. I would prefer a college/university setting as I think that would help me for doctorate program admissions...is this correct?
* some master programs that i have looked into for the Bay Area are terminal programs, such as Santa Clara U, SJS, etc. so they are practitioner focused. They seem okay to me since I want to counsel people, but, again, what if during my grad studies, I decide that I may want to added flexibility of doing research and teaching and getting more income?
* then comes the question of MA in Counseling Psych vs MA Clinical Psych....
* finally, some people have mentioned to me that I could also see a MSW, but from what I'm reading, the MSW is a different career track and would really focus on work in an agency setting and may hinder me for doctoral programs. is this true? Do people get MSW and MFT...
* again, my goal right now is to be able to counsel people, have private practice or work in small group settings...i would like to have the flexibility during this time to get the research aspect since that is what doctoral programs seem to focus on, such as Stanford and UCB...not sure what to do...
Sorry if this post is so long..I've been looking so long for good information and there's so much out there and it gets confusing.
The book I have (Norcross) focuses on doctorate programs and not master's programs...if someone knows of good reference for master's, I'd be most appreciative.
I would love some direction and feedback and general advice.
The only thing I know for certain is that I need to take the GRE, which I plan on taking next month.
Pls feel free to reply or PM me. THANKS so much!!!
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