Masters in Clinical Psychology distance learning (Texas)

[Psych318]

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I've already completed two years of medical school and found out along the way that I really, really enjoy talking to people and helping them through their crises. Basically the only classes that appealed to me during med school were Neuro, Behavioral Medicine, and Psychopathology. That being said, I figured I would go into Psychiatry. Well, along the way I found out that most psychiatrists' jobs consisted of 15 minute med checks and the majority of the 1-on-1 therapy was turfed to psychologists. Long story short, I've decided that getting my PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology is what I should've gone into from the beginning.

Here's where the hard part comes in. My fiancee is also a medical student and he won't be graduating until 2012, which is when I would've been graduating as well. I've looked into getting my Master's in Clinical Psych here in town, but it won't have me finishing up until 2015. The problem with that is that in the summer of 2012 we'll be moving to Lord only knows where in the country and we would either have to live in different cities (potentially like 20 hours apart) for three years or I would have to transfer to a different school after completing 1 year of my program here (and then hope that my classes will transfer over). Neither option sounds very appealing. We've tried to pinpoint different cities that have multiple residency programs for him and multiple grad school programs for me so that we can try to ensure that we'll both be able to pursue our goals in the same city. The scary part is that whatever city he matches at, we 100% have to go there (unless we pay a $30,000-ish fine). So, if I don't happen to get into a school in that city then I'll have to sit out ANOTHER year before starting the program and I really don't want to do that.

As of right now we've decided that Texas is where we would like to move to in 2012. We're looking at 3 areas: 1.Dallas/Ft Worth, 2.Austin, and 3.Houston. We're willing to commute around 1 hr each way, so our 2 programs can be up to 2 hrs apart. This really helps me out, because that opens up more programs for me.

My fiancee's big fear is that he will be accepted into a program in say, Houston for example, but I only am accepted into Dallas. Honestly, I'm a pretty afraid of that too because there are so few spots available in each of our programs. I guess my question for you guys is: would it be a good idea to take some online graduate classes from a school in Texas that would transfer to whatever program I get into? I've done enough research to realize that online degree programs (i.e. Capella, Fielding) are NOT the way to go because their reviews are so poor, but are there any land-based online Masters programs through a Texas school that I could do to be working towards my goal? Ideally, I would like to be doing something, anything (class wise) that is contributing toward reaching my goals between now and 2012, but I don't want to make a bad decision. Any advice? Thanks!!!

 

[erg923]

The practice of 15 minute med checks is a decision made by individual practitioners due to economic reasons/pressures. There is no rule or law stating you have conduct your practice in the same manner. You can see patients for as long as you choose in your own practice.

No one here would recommend that you do an online program, especially if your goal is to try to gain admission to a doctoral program. The academic field of psychology is just not accpeting of that learning/training paradigm yet. If your goal is a ph.d program, then you should spend this time doing research in a academic setting. You will not be competitive without at least a year or 2 (3 would be even better) of solid clinical research experience in the field of psychology/psychiatry.

 

[Psych318]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I definitely realized through my perusal of SDN forums that online programs were NOT the way to go. I really don't want to go that route, because I have definitely realized through med school that when it comes to patient care you really have to be there in person to get the full effect. I suppose I was questioning whether or not it would be a good idea to find some graduate level online core classes at a Texas university that I could take to keep my feet wet with school and simultaneously be working towards completing a few classes.

I already have a research job lined up, which is dealing with the effects of long term anti-depressants and brain plasticity. I should be starting soon.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

instead of spending money on classes that may not meet your learning objectives, you should ask around and identify some worthwhile texts to read. informal mentorship would be great because the information becomes much more salient when you can discuss it with someone else. if you come across something you don't quite get, feel free to post over in the clinical forum, as we are always up for an interesting discussion.

 

[Ollie123]

I agree with Jon, I'm not sure it makes sense to leave the program at this point. Yes, the modal practice for psychiatry is probably med-checks but there are alternative paths and no absolute barriers to following them if you choose (though recognizing that you will be sacrificing a substantial amount financially by doing therapy over med checks).

If you hadn't started med school then I think shifting to psychology could be a logical choice. Since you have already accrued 2 years of med school debt and have invested that time, I think it would make more sense to find a way to make the medical path fit with what you want to do, rather than shifting to a related profession. You won't finish any sooner by going into psychology and as you have already discovered it can necessitate some moving around as well (and you are just talking grad school - if you do a PhD that might mean internship, etc. as well). You would have a huge additional chunk of debt with nothing to show for it. Restricting yourself to within a state for psychology applications is not a great plan even for extremely competitive candidates, given the emphasis on research match over other characteristics.

I can absolutely understand wanting to work within psychology rather than medicine for a number of reasons, but I'd make ABSOLUTELY sure you cannot find a way to make the medical path work before jumping ship and I didn't hear anything convincing me that was the case for you.

 

[Psych318]

I absolutely agree that the "logical"/"easy" way out would be to finish my MD and then go into Psychiatry. If I did that then I would be able to finish with an MD degree and be able to couples match with my fiancee, therefore ensuring that we'll be in the same city together. Going back to med school has definitely been something I've pondered. However, the problem is that I loathe (yes it's a harsh word, but it adequately sums up how I feel) anything outside of the Psych/Neuro umbrella. Literally when I was seeing patients with your everyday sore throat, COPD, CHF, pneumonia, banged up knee, you name it, I was hating life. I was severely depressed and probably should've been on medication, truth be told, because I lost a decent amount of weight, cried virtually every single day, and was miserable. Two of my close mentors are PsyDs who attended the med school I'm at and decided to switch gears and get their PsyD degree instead. So I'm not the only one who has had this happen to them. In my heart I feel that I'm just not cut out for the MD route.

Basically, I just feel like I shot myself in the foot by going to med school for 2 years before realizing that I should've listened to my heart all along and gone the Psych route. I've been researching nonstop for alternative plans and have been coming short because we have to move in less than 1.5 yrs. 🙁

I realize that it must sound absolutely absurd to a lot of people to want to switch from a psychiatrist to a psychologist, but it's a career change that I KNOW will make me happy. Sure, happiness can't pay the bills, but I'd much rather be a person who makes ends meet than a person who has all the money in the world but is miserable doing my job.

What I want out of my job is to be able to counsel people through their problems and do research on Alzheimer's or Schizophrenia on the side(since I completed 2 years of med school I'll qualify to get a Masters in Biomedical Sciences so I'll be able to work in a lab doing research without too much problem). I've looked at getting a PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology. I've looked into Counseling Psychology. I've even looked into getting a terminal Masters degree in Clinical Psych, Counseling Psych, or Mental Health Counseling so that I would be able to do what I want faster. So, is there any advice that you guys have with what I should do and how I should go about getting there? My fiancee and I are open to living anywhere in the country, not just Texas. We just talked about going there because there were a lot of programs available for both of us and we love the state.

Would it be an awful idea to get an MA in Counseling from Seton Hall (online)? That's a program I've been perusing for a few days now and can't find much info on SDN to determine whether or not it's a bad idea.

ps--sorry all of my posts are so long. I guess I just have a lot to say since it's just a long/complicated situation I'm in. Also, thanks for your help/advice!

 

[Psych318]

No, I didn't fail any classes. I just haven't been happy at all.

When you suggested doing summer research, that would be a good idea if we had summers after 2nd year. Once you start your rotations you can expect to work every week at least 40 (mostly 60-75) hours a week.

 

[Ollie123]

If you are truly that unhappy than wanting to change things up does make some sense. That said, have you truly explored all avenues here? I do not know if you have sought treatment, but it is something to consider. Your reaction seems extreme for the circumstances you report and warrants some attention (T4C, I know I'm flirting with the edge of clinical advice here so feel free to edit/delete this if I overstep). Certainly, many of us will find coursework or aspects of our education dreadfully boring. You will likely come across this in psychology too if you do switch - if you just want to do therapy, studying up on matrix algebra for your stats class is probably not going to make you super-excited to go to work. And yes, you will have to do at least a bit of this at any decent psychology program, at least at the doctoral level.

I would avoid any sort of online programs, at least for clinical degrees. If you want to take an online course or two to "get back into it" that is another story (though probably not a wise financial move). If your partner is willing to back you up financially, it may make sense to start with a master's and then move for the PhD once your partner has completed residency and presumably, will have more flexibility in where he can work. This is a long path. It will take you substantially longer to finish then finishing your MD and residency would, since it likely entails time off and a MINIMUM of 3-4 years for the PhD, even with a master's. Most likely, that number will be closer to 5-6. If it is the only way you can be happy, talk to people and find a way to make it happen.

Please though, be absolutely certain of what you are doing first. I have friends in med school and residency. It is tough, and can be miserable. If medicine is not the career for you, so be it, but be careful about the "grass is greener..." syndrome.

 

[Psych318]

I realize that my posts have probably come across as being rash and rather extreme, but it's because I've been contemplating all of my options for literally 3 months and have researched so many different schools, programs, SDN forums, cities with both residency programs & PhD/PsyD/Masters programs, etc that I was at whits end when I opened this thread today. I felt like I had absolutely no idea what in the world I should do and was turning to you guys for help/guidance. Have you ever just thought about something so much and had no idea what in the world to do that you felt like you could theoretically pull your hair out? Well, that's how I felt earlier when I made the posts. I really just wanted some advice and something to think over, which all of you have definitely done and I thank you for your time and advice. Like I said before (I think I said it before), I started this thread because I wanted guidance and didn't want to make a bad decision.