Masters In Counceling Studies

[JackD]

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I recently found out a large university, with multiple campuses around the world, has a satellite campus about five miles away from where i live, which offers what appears to be a masters in counseling studies (my initial review of their program appeared to be a counceling studies degree). I want to first go for a masters then become a doctor of clinical psychology. Would that be a masters that i should potentially go for or would it be no help in becoming a clinical psychologist?

It is just intriguing to me, since it is just down the street and potentially viable. However, i come here to ask, is it viable or should i look elsewhere? And don't worry about shooting it down, i have other options.

 

[thepsychgeek]

It's definitely a reasonable option, especially if your GPA/GRE is low- it will show that you are capable of performing well in higher level studies (beyond bachelor's level). However, the masters itself isn't necessary for clinical psych- and you might want to be careful, because clinical & counseling programs don't always see eye to eye!

 

[JackD]

It's definitely a reasonable option, especially if your GPA/GRE is low- it will show that you are capable of performing well in higher level studies (beyond bachelor's level). However, the masters itself isn't necessary for clinical psych- and you might want to be careful, because clinical & counseling programs don't always see eye to eye!

I believe my GPA is fine, it will be around a 3.5 when i apply to grad school. I probably don't need to apply to this school. I doubt it is my only option. I'm sure i could get into a masters program in psychology if i had to but it seems like an intriguing route, just by the virtue that it is right here. No moving, no long commute, and an accredited program. The extent of my interest so far (i haven't look too deeply into yet) is location. However, since it isn't specifically psychology, i do wonder if it is a viable route or a waste of time. There are many other factors i will certainly take into account with this program, right now i just wonder if it could be one of the places i apply to. It is all about the convenience and cost, since i could live with my parents for free if i went there, that is causing me to research it further but if people think it is an "only if you absolutely have to" kind of thing, then i will probably just move on.


And yes, i know how to spell "counseling", if anyone was wondering. It is just a typo in the title but for some reason, they don't let you edit it.

 

[paramour]

I know profs/programs who are already hesitant about accepting students with a master's degree in general (or in clinical psych). Although there can be some overlap between clinical & counseling studies, I would be extremely hesitant at pursuing a master's in counseling, only to then pursue a doctorate in clinical psych. I've had some experience with both the counseling & clinical psych programs at my current university, and there is definitely some overlap but I see a heck of a lot more differences in the way they approach issues. You may receive additional 'discrimination' from clinical psych profs/programs if you compile the potential problems with any ole' master's degree with a master's degree in counseling studies. Not to say that it's not possible, but I suspect it would be extremely difficult to rationalize that particular route.

 

[JackD]

I know profs/programs who are already hesitant about accepting students with a master's degree in general

Well if and when i get into a doctoral program, it would almost certainly be at a professional school, which might help with that problem a little. I would think that a state school or fully funded program would be more stringent about such things than places like Argosy or wherever i would end up. From what i hear, the highly competitive programs can be particular about what they want and don't want from students. I could see why someone with a sort of different masters might be a turn off. It could be more work than they want to deal with. The professional schools, on the other hand, seem a little more relaxed, since the students pay their own way and it is largely about making a profit. I think in terms of going from masters to doctoral, my planned route is ok, as in probably not as difficult as it could potentially be( all be it more expensive), but I still do wonder about the counseling to psychology stuff. From what i understand, clinical and counseling theory are not quite the same, since they emphasize different aspects of mental health and psychological disorders.

 

[paramour]

I know profs/programs who are already hesitant about accepting students with a master's degree in general (or in clinical psych). Although there can be some overlap between clinical & counseling studies, I would be extremely hesitant at pursuing a master's in counseling, only to then pursue a doctorate in clinical psych. I've had some experience with both the counseling & clinical psych programs at my current university, and there is definitely some overlap but I see a heck of a lot more differences in the way they approach issues. You may receive additional 'discrimination' from clinical psych profs/programs if you compile the potential problems with any ole' master's degree with a master's degree in counseling studies. Not to say that it's not possible, but I suspect it would be extremely difficult to rationalize that particular route.

Well if and when i get into a doctoral program, it would almost certainly be at a professional school, which might help with that problem a little. I would think that a state school or fully funded program would be more stringent about such things than places like Argosy or wherever i would end up. From what i hear, the highly competitive programs can be particular about what they want and don't want from students. I could see why someone with a sort of different masters might be a turn off. It could be more work than they want to deal with. The professional schools, on the other hand, seem a little more relaxed, since the students pay their own way and it is largely about making a profit. I think in terms of going from masters to doctoral, my planned route is ok, as in probably not as difficult as it could potentially be( all be it more expensive), but I still do wonder about the counseling to psychology stuff. From what i understand, clinical and counceling theory are not quite the same, since they emphasize different aspects of mental health and psychological disorders.

Yep, which I also touched upon (i.e., issues = theories, approaches, etc.). And, although there may be some professional programs that will overlook this if they truly just want your money, there are competitive programs that may screen you out of the final running. It may be one thing to come in with a degree in law, computer engineering, or some other basically completely different field, but they may draw the line at taking someone with a counseling background. Pure speculation on my part, however, as I don't sit on an admissions committee. 😀

 

[JackD]

Paramour, why is there so much discrimination in the field of psychology? Psychologists seem to look down on non-apa accredited degrees, online degrees, professional schools, PsyDs, masters degrees, counseling degrees, non-apa internships, and i am sure some things i have yet to find out about. Can't we all just love one another?

There seems to be almost an insecurity among people in the field, which i find a bit ironic. I swear, would hate psychology if i didn't love it so much 😀

 

[thepsychgeek]

Paramour, why is there so much discrimination in the field of psychology? Psychologists seem to look down on non-apa accredited degrees, online degrees, professional schools, PsyDs, masters degrees, counseling degrees, non-apa internships, and i am sure some things i have yet to find out about. Can't we all just love one another?

There seems to be almost an insecurity among people in the field, which i find a bit ironic. I swear, would hate psychology if i didn't love it so much 😀

Well, the looking down on non-APA programs (degrees and internships) is mostly because of the training recieved in them- also, it often means that someone wasn't able to get into a good, accredited program (of which there are MANY). Also beccause you can't get licensed. Online degrees are problematic for the same reason. Regarding the PsyD, master's degree, and counseling degrees, I find that individual people generally don't have a problem so much as the discipline. Although one person I talked to said he had no problem with the counseling degree itself, so much as that the training was very different and that people with a Master's in counseling frequently have to be more stringently retrained.