M.A. at the Wright Institute or the Adler School

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This is my first post, but I have been reading this forum for a while.

I am applying for M.A. programs in Counseling Psychology in order to pursue an LPC license. I applied to the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA and the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, IL. I just received word that I have an interview at the Adler School.

Here's my question. I went to the US News report rankings today and realized that the Wright Institute is ranked #177 for Clinical Psychology and that the Adler School is not even ranked. How important (or even accurate) are those rankings? What are other statistics, ranking, or review websites that I should be looking at (other than reading this forum and asking opinions about reputation)?

What is most important to me is that I get a good education for a career of counseling, and I like the feel of both programs (from what I know so far) and appreciate the emphasis on social justice and diversity that both have. If a program is a good fit for me, I should not be doubting myself, right?

 

[JustNoticing]

The U.S News rankings are not what should have you concerned. But can I ask how you happened to decide on these two programs, and eliminate those affiliated with universities?

 

[Slugathor]

When you mean counseling, do you mean specifically in a school counseling center setting or in general like psychotherapy? If social justice, diversity, and counseling/psychotherapy is your thing, you may want to apply to a MSW program with a clinical emphasis. Keep in mind as well that a LCSW (MSW) will open a lot more doors than a MA in counseling psychology with a LPC license (that is if I am understanding your goals correctly and understand that some states don't even recognize at that level anymore I think). If a LPC license is your goal, make sure that the state you will practice in will recognize your degree/license/and that there is a demand. Consider as well the quality of the schools you are applying to. You may very well have to get your MA and move on to a PsyD or PhD in Counseling/Clinical Psychology to become hireable and man.....the competition is fierce (check the psychology board).

Also, rankings are kinda garbage as there is a lot of politics involved. What should concern you is if the schools you apply to match your interests. Lets say you want to go for a PhD in Clinical Psychology, you want to look at the department website and see the professor bios and make sure there are professors researching in areas of your interest, that way you have a better chance of matching and doing what you want. You also want to see what kind of funding is available, you want near full or fully paid programs where you will not have debt (either through stipends assistanships, practicum combinations, scholarships, etc....). You also have to look at the school's APA internship matching rate (anything under 70-80% i think is a red flag but I could be wrong). Both of your school choices I believe have such programs, you may want to check the department websites and check it out. Hope I was able to help, pm if you still have questions.

 

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Thank you for your replies.

I had to take a number of schools off of my list because I ended up being too late for deadlines (I had a hold-up due to a letter of recommendation...) I did also apply to City University of New York - Brooklyn. I haven't heard anything at all from them yet.

Why apply to the other two? The Wright Institute was well talked about when I was working for a non-profit mental health residential facility in San Francisco for a few years (it is known in the area). I know two people who graduated from their MA program and spoke highly of it. I visited for an information session and really felt like I would fit in there and do well. I know less about Adler other than what I have read, but I will be having an interview there in April.

Slugathor: I mean counseling as in psychotherapy. I do know that people say an MSW "opens more doors". Honestly, when I look at the curriculum for MSW programs, they just aren't focused enough on counseling and therapy training for what I want. Also, I am almost 100% sure I will stop at a masters degree and not go for a PhD. My goal is to become licensed with an LPC and practice therapy. From what I have seen, there are tons of therapists (at least in California) that practice therapy (both in a private practice and at a lot of agencies) with either an LPC or an MFT license.

Where do you find APA internship matching rate data? I searched for it online and couldn't find it.

Thanks again.

 

[Slugathor]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/california/977505-counseling-licensure-ca-mft-lpcc.html

Check that out, it seems the MFTs and LCSWs rule California. It sounds like you want to concentrate on psychotherapy, in which case maybe a MSW might not be for you (need to find a clinical program and clinical practicum - getting both isn't as easy as it sounds). Check out the APA website I think. They should have all the rates, it should be public knowledge. You can also find them on the websites for the departments of the universities in questions (all the good schools will do it, all the borderline and shady schools will fudge the numbers,rearrange the stats, or make the links hard to find - I kid you not). The rates are pretty shocking.....maybe someone from the psychology side can chime in.

 

[JustNoticing]

APA internships are irrelevant at the master's level. I can't specifically comment on Wright and Adler, but just found it curious that you had only applied to the types of programs that have a marketing department within.

I'm a CUNY-Brooklyn MHC grad. I can highly recommend the program, and it's easy to swallow price tag (in-state). Though I will say unequivocally that MSWs have much better opportunities in New York. Changing, but very very slowly.

 

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Slugathor: Thanks for that useful resource. Yes, if I do decide I want to move back to (and stay in) California, I would go for the MFT because you're right, they have better opportunities there. Other states seem to view the LPC either equally or more highly, from what I understand... I wouldn't want to do an MSW program unless, like you said, it was focused on counseling/therapy. I need to read more. Thanks!

FreudianSlipper: Ah, what a coincidence that you went to CUNY Brooklyn! I have heard good things about the program. May I ask you how long ago you graduated and what you are doing now? I'm not a New York resident, but Brooklyn's "out-of-state" tuition is still low compared to many I have looked at. I'm not sure what my chances are of being accepted. We'll see. Did they hold individual or group interviews when you were applying? Thanks for your replies.

 

[JustNoticing]

Sent you a private message. Group interviews.

 

[archipelago]

The Wright is well known due to its doctoral programs. The MA focus is relatively new and as far as I can see untested and rather small. I think there are only 4-5 faculty members involved and practicum placements are more limited than at other schools. It is a nice place; very welcoming, but if I were to go there I would do the doctoral route not the MA route. I was there for a semester before I had to have surgery, but in the end I decided to not continue. I did like everyone and felt fine about it. And it was fun to be in Berkeley as well. But I wasn't really learning the way I truly wanted to and unfortunately for my tastes at least, I found it a bit self-congratulatory while being so new and lacking in true diversity or depth of experience. I can't say that is true of everyone. In fact I know people who teach there who are part of the other programs who really are the real deal, but I have real doubts about the MA program at the Wright and have even wondered if it would continue getting accreditation because they just didn't seem like it was at the right level. Up to you. It is a nice place and the people are nice so if it gets you a license, why not.

 

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archipelago:
Thanks for your input. I did get the feeling that it was a nice place (although small) and that the people there seemed kind and very serious about what they are doing. It was a very different feeling from what I got at other schools. What particularly did you find to be "not at the right level"? Also, when did you attend a semester there, and what did you end up doing instead? I have an interview there in two weeks so I am trying to get all the information I can so I can make an informed decision.
Thanks!