Masters with no experience or license

[Akitamother]

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Good Evening, please don't fault me because I've spent the last year searching for answers and attempting to take it up with my school with no success. I went back to earn my MA and did remarkably well. However, the school I attended did not offer an internship (something I tried to change so hopefully for future students they will have that option). It still baffles me that a student can graduate with her MA in psychology without an internship. But that is neither here nor there because I have graduated.

I have been diligently applying for jobs and as a matter of fact I had an interview today which I completely bombed. Every place I find requires a license and/or experience. In order to apply for my Mental Health License I have to have 3000 hours underneath a licensed practitioner. It is recommended that a person finds a job that someone can work while getting their required hours. Well I'm sure I don't have to tell you all, its an employer's market out there. For every job there are 10 people applying for it and 6 of them are already licensed.

There has got to be someone out there who has been in my position. I need a license; I need experience; I need some "letters" after my name. I need some certificates but I don't even know what to search for. I'm sure some certificates are offered as an online study. Does anyone have suggestions of certificates I can research?

Does anyone have some ideas of how I can go about gaining some experience? What about gaining a title to go along with my degree and name? I just cannot see putting forth all of this hard work just to continue working where I am.

Please help......thank you so much 😕

 

[roubs]

Good Evening, please don't fault me because I've spent the last year searching for answers and attempting to take it up with my school with no success. I went back to earn my MA and did remarkably well. However, the school I attended did not offer an internship (something I tried to change so hopefully for future students they will have that option). It still baffles me that a student can graduate with her MA in psychology without an internship. But that is neither here nor there because I have graduated.

I have been diligently applying for jobs and as a matter of fact I had an interview today which I completely bombed. Every place I find requires a license and/or experience. In order to apply for my Mental Health License I have to have 3000 hours underneath a licensed practitioner. It is recommended that a person finds a job that someone can work while getting their required hours. Well I'm sure I don't have to tell you all, its an employer's market out there. For every job there are 10 people applying for it and 6 of them are already licensed.

There has got to be someone out there who has been in my position. I need a license; I need experience; I need some "letters" after my name. I need some certificates but I don't even know what to search for. I'm sure some certificates are offered as an online study. Does anyone have suggestions of certificates I can research?

Does anyone have some ideas of how I can go about gaining some experience? What about gaining a title to go along with my degree and name? I just cannot see putting forth all of this hard work just to continue working where I am.

Please help......thank you so much 😕

Exactly what was your MA in, I'm asking what it says on the diploma. Also where did you get it?

 

[shirleymanson]

I feel for you. My masters required a traineeship and it was very competitive to get one even though there was no compensation! I know some people who even paid their site so they could work there and get the supervision hours necessary to graduate.

My advice, although it sounds crazy, is to find something that would give you some experience even if it doesn't pay. At least you would be able to put something on your resume then. I worked for free as a trainee but my site hired me once I graduated. If the site likes you, they may hire you or at the very least give you a good recommendation/referral for the paid jobs you interview for. Most sites will put in a good word for you when you work for them for free. In the meantime, if you have to work or do something to make money that isn't related to the field, then so be it. Do what you have to do to get the experience.

 

[Psychadelic2012]

I've never heard of a clinical master's that does not require practicums for the purpose of training in psychotherapy. If your Master's is in general or experimental psychology, then it is not a practice degree and you are likely not eligible for licensure.

They do exist. I almost did one. Unfortunately, without a practicum and/or internship, once you get the degree, people like the OP won't be eligible for licensure--ever. Unless they go back for another degree. The OP, and others in similar situations, will have to look for non-clinical work. There are jobs, but steer clear of the clinical jobs--they want a licensed person or a license-eligible person.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I'm going to have to agree with the others above who've said that finding unpaid supervision might, unfortunately, be your only way to go. I'm also curious, like roubs, as to what type of degree you were awarded (i.e., in what area is it)?

 

[Marissa4usa]

Good Evening, please don't fault me because I've spent the last year searching for answers and attempting to take it up with my school with no success. I went back to earn my MA and did remarkably well. However, the school I attended did not offer an internship (something I tried to change so hopefully for future students they will have that option). It still baffles me that a student can graduate with her MA in psychology without an internship. But that is neither here nor there because I have graduated.

I'm echoing what others have said. There are different "kinds" of psychology. What was your master's in? I graduated from a master's program in Psychology (so-called "Doctoral Preparation Program for Clinical and Counseling Psychology"), and my degree by itself isn't worth anything.

 

[wigflip]

I need some certificates but I don't even know what to search for. I'm sure some certificates are offered as an online study. Does anyone have suggestions of certificates I can research?

Have you visited your state's licensing board website, and/or talked to someone at the state licensing board? That would probably give you a better idea if a) what you're lacking to make you license-eligible is something that can be acquired now, with your current degree, or b) if your completed degree simply isn't of the right type to make you license eligible. I hope that the latter isn't the case. but if it is, you want to find that out now, before sinking more time and money into pursuing additional education.