MA in Counseling? Nervous about PhD

[coloradocutter]

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I was accepted in a Clinical Psych PhD program with great funding, but it's far from my family (but closer than where I am now) and is a 4 + 1 program. I am a nontraditional student with a family. Good news is that I will not go into debt in this program, have a good student and saved up enough money from previous career (law) that I will be fine financially. Program is focused on forensic, which will utilize my law degree. However, I am feeling like the PhD is too long and just can't imagine that much time spent in school. My cousin who is 10 years younger than me is trying to get into a funded MA in Counseling Program in NC, near my family (WFU), and I am wondering what the heck I am doing getting a PhD. Should I try for the Masters instead? My husband says I should try the PhD program and then make the call after I have given it a few months.

I don't know much about licensure in NC, but my sense is that more supervision is required of master's level folks and that a private practice is more difficult.

Would be interested in anyone's thoughts.

 

[coloradocutter]

have any thoughts?

 

[appelsoranjes]

have any thoughts?

I went the Ph.D. route and I think you should too - the funding is a plus, and your opportunities post-degree will be significantly better. Time goes by quickly, and you'll be working regardless. If you got in, you have what it takes to go through with it. I say do it!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

They are two very different paths. I would go the Ph.D. route because of the flexibility, better training, etc.