Need advice about EdM/MA/MSc/MPhil

[lydchn]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm a senior majoring in Psychology and am in the midst of applying to grad schools. However, I'm a bit confused with the different types of Masters programs offered. I would like to eventually go into private clinical practice and understand that I would need a PhD. But in case I don't get into one, my back up would be an excellent Masters program that would help my PhD application in the future.

These are the programs that I'm interested in:

• Harvard--Human Development and Psychology, EdM.
• Teachers College, Columbia--Developmental Psychology, MA.
• Yale--Developmental Neuroscience and Psychoanalysis, MSc.
• Cambridge (UK)--Social and Developmental Psych, MPhil.

It would be great if I could get input from those who have had experience with these programs. However, my question is:
"How do these different Masters programs differ? ex. Would an EdM limit my career choices to the education field should I decide to work for a bit before applying to a PhD program? What's the difference between MA/MSc/MPhil and how is it considered in the PhD application review?"

Any relevant input would be greatly appreciated, thanks!!

 

[Neuropsych2be]

I'm a senior majoring in Psychology and am in the midst of applying to grad schools. However, I'm a bit confused with the different types of Masters programs offered. I would like to eventually go into private clinical practice and understand that I would need a PhD. But in case I don't get into one, my back up would be an excellent Masters program that would help my PhD application in the future.

These are the programs that I'm interested in:

• Harvard--Human Development and Psychology, EdM.
• Teachers College, Columbia--Developmental Psychology, MA.
• Yale--Developmental Neuroscience and Psychoanalysis, MSc.
• Cambridge (UK)--Social and Developmental Psych, MPhil.

It would be great if I could get input from those who have had experience with these programs. However, my question is:
"How do these different Masters programs differ? ex. Would an EdM limit my career choices to the education field should I decide to work for a bit before applying to a PhD program? What's the difference between MA/MSc/MPhil and how is it considered in the PhD application review?"

Any relevant input would be greatly appreciated, thanks!!

The M.Phil at Cambridge is not for clinical practice. Usually at British universities the M.Phil is a research degree, meaning no or little coursework and a big thesis/dissertation. It is usually a stepping stone to the D.Phil or Ph.D. (same degree different nomenclature). It looks like the Cambridge program involves a few courses plus research. A British research degree is not designed to prepare you for clinical practice. Typically an M.Phil takes a year full time. Because it is a research degree, it might be looked upon very favorably. But these degrees involve little coursework and a typically parochial US admissions committee unfamiliar with graduate education outside the US might not know what to do with such a degree.

 

[Tangi303]

However, I'm a bit confused with the different types of Masters programs offered. I would like to eventually go into private clinical practice and understand that I would need a PhD.

I'm not sure which type of Master's is best for applying to a PhD program, but I wanted to let you know that you do not need a PhD in order to go into private practice. If you want to provide psychotherapy as a clinician, a Master's is sufficient (at least some Master's programs would provide the training for that). I know therapists who have a MSW, an MA in psych, a MEd or a MSN. If you want to provide certain other services as a clinician, such as psychological testing, you would need the PhD. PhDs get reimbursed by most insurance at a higher rate than most Master's level clinicians.