Need help w/ M.A. programs!

[Kingkou23]

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I've been searching for a while now for some M.A. programs in Clinical Psychology or M.A. programs in Psychology. I am looking to stay local in So. California or the west-coast. I have only been able to find a few such as..

1) Pepperdine
2) Alliant (California School of Professional Psychology)
3) Argosy

Is anyone familiar w/ some other programs/schools that offer the M.A. degree in Psychology or Clinical Psychology? I am going through the application process for those 3 right now and would like to apply to a couple more...any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

My story: I plan on getting my M.A. and then apply to a Psy.D Clinical Psychology program and my goal in the end of all of this is to be a Clinical Neuropsychologist...I did my undergrad at UCSD (c/o 2008) and started working as a BI for an agency that provides Behavioral Intervention for Autistic children. I also landed a volunteer research assistant position with a Neuropsychiatrist at UCLA. Hopefully these two factors help boost my chances of getting in...I'm taking my GRE in about a month and have a LOR from Neuropsych teacher at UCSD. I'm hoping to get my 2 other LOR's from my boss and the Dr. I am volunteering for...

 

[erg923]

I've been searching for a while now for some M.A. programs in Clinical Psychology or M.A. programs in Psychology. I am looking to stay local in So. California or the west-coast. I have only been able to find a few such as..

1) Pepperdine
2) Alliant (California School of Professional Psychology)
3) Argosy

Is anyone familiar w/ some other programs/schools that offer the M.A. degree in Psychology or Clinical Psychology? I am going through the application process for those 3 right now and would like to apply to a couple more...any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

My story: I plan on getting my M.A. and then apply to a Psy.D Clinical Psychology program and my goal in the end of all of this is to be a Clinical Neuropsychologist...I did my undergrad at UCSD (c/o 2008) and started working as a BI for an agency that provides Behavioral Intervention for Autistic children. I also landed a volunteer research assistant position with a Neuropsychiatrist at UCLA. Hopefully these two factors help boost my chances of getting in...I'm taking my GRE in about a month and have a LOR from Neuropsych teacher at UCSD. I'm hoping to get my 2 other LOR's from my boss and the Dr. I am volunteering for...

If the end goal is the Psy.D., then why arent you applying to any now? Why waste time and money with a masters first. As long as your GPA is decend (at least a 3.3 or so), appy for the Psy.D. Be aware that "wanting to stay local" severly limits things in this field. Something like 90 percent of grad student leave their state for grad school. You will almost certainly have to leave it for a internship and post-docs anyway. You will find the quality of Psy.Ds in your area are not very good (i.e., Alliant, Argosy). I think Pepperdine's is a fairly respected program though. In general, stay away from professional schools, quality is hit and miss, and the cost is too great for the salary potential as a psychologist.

 

[Kingkou23]

If the end goal is the Psy.D., then why arent you applying to any now? Why waste time and money with a masters first. As long as your GPA is decend (at least a 3.3 or so), appy for the Psy.D. Be aware that "wanting to stay local" severly limits things in this field. Something like 90 percent of grad student leave their state for grad school. You will almost certainly have to leave it for a internship and post-docs anyway. You will find the quality of Psy.Ds in your area are not very good (i.e., Alliant, Argosy). I think Pepperdine's is a fairly respected program though. In general, stay away from professional schools, quality is hit and miss, and the cost is too great for the salary potential as a psychologist.

Thanks for your help! I'm not applying straight to a Psy.D program b/c my GPA isn't so hot (low 3's)...I feel like I'll have a better chance if I get my Masters. Pepperdine is my 1st choice and I've heard about the risk involved w/ the Professional Schools but also heard that the Alliant in Los Angeles is pretty decent. I know more than likely I will end up having to leave at some point. What do you think my chances are of getting into Pepperdine's program? My GPA isn't that great but I did graduate from a pretty good undergrad University and have quality LOR's in addition to some pretty decent experience in the field (My job and the Volunteer Research Assistant).

 

[2BeDentist]

I'm pretty sure you will get into Pepperdine's program. My GPA isn't so great either, but my GRE scores are strong (after taking the effin test 3 times, that is!). Also I had strong LORs, work experience, and a good personal statement (I guess).

I've been accepted into their MA in clinical psych with concentration in marriage and family therapy program (for Spring 2009).... although its mad expensive university. Do check their tuition costs. Most likely I'm going to turn the admission offer and wait for a state school to apply to for Fall 2009.

Good luck!

 

[tears for susan]

Thanks for your help! I'm not applying straight to a Psy.D program b/c my GPA isn't so hot (low 3's)...I feel like I'll have a better chance if I get my Masters. Pepperdine is my 1st choice and I've heard about the risk involved w/ the Professional Schools but also heard that the Alliant in Los Angeles is pretty decent. I know more than likely I will end up having to leave at some point. What do you think my chances are of getting into Pepperdine's program? My GPA isn't that great but I did graduate from a pretty good undergrad University and have quality LOR's in addition to some pretty decent experience in the field (My job and the Volunteer Research Assistant).

Pepperdine requires you to have an MA to be admitted to their Psy.d program, FYI. They are one of the very few (if not only) schools who wont admit those at a BA level.

 

[Kingkou23]

Pepperdine requires you to have an MA to be admitted to their Psy.d program, FYI. They are one of the very few (if not only) schools who wont admit those at a BA level.

I don't plan on applying for the Psy.D program right now. I would like to get my Masters first so I can increase my chances of getting into a good Psy.D program...

 

[Psychology201]

If the end goal is the Psy.D., then why arent you applying to any now? Why waste time and money with a masters first. As long as your GPA is decend (at least a 3.3 or so), appy for the Psy.D. Be aware that "wanting to stay local" severly limits things in this field. Something like 90 percent of grad student leave their state for grad school. You will almost certainly have to leave it for a internship and post-docs anyway. You will find the quality of Psy.Ds in your area are not very good (i.e., Alliant, Argosy). I think Pepperdine's is a fairly respected program though. In general, stay away from professional schools, quality is hit and miss, and the cost is too great for the salary potential as a psychologist.

I live in California, and am going for my bachelors then for a masters. Would I have to leave california too or are the statistics of 90% of those leaving out of state, only for those who go for the phd or psy.d??

 

[erg923]

That stat came from a survey of doctoral students.

 

[tears for susan]

I live in California, and am going for my bachelors then for a masters. Would I have to leave california too or are the statistics of 90% of those leaving out of state, only for those who go for the phd or psy.d??

Due to the large amount of state schools CA has, I can imagine that staying in-state wouldnt be much of a problem for an MA

 

[Kingkou23]

Thanks for the input everyone...

So, does anyone know of some more M.A. programs in California? As much as I search online, I can't seem to find more than the 3 programs I already posted.


thanks

 

[Regression]

Thanks for the input everyone...

So, does anyone know of some more M.A. programs in California? As much as I search online, I can't seem to find more than the 3 programs I already posted.


thanks

Every CSU (besides the Polys) has an MA in Psychology. I think CSU Fullerton might have one in Clinical.

 

[sunshinejenn]

Just chiming in to mention that I am in Pepperdine's MA program in West LA, and am loving every minute of it.

The people are great, and I think we have a great selection of courses to take. It is true that their Psy.D program requires a Master's to get in, but the Psy.D students I've spoken to maintain that they absolutely love the program as well.

However, the poster above was right, it is a super expensive school. I decided that it was worth it in the end, but it might not be feasible, or appealing, for others.

California has a ton of MA Psych programs, not just at the professional schools. Just have to look around, and find the type of Masters program you really want to do.

 

[Kingkou23]

Just chiming in to mention that I am in Pepperdine's MA program in West LA, and am loving every minute of it.

The people are great, and I think we have a great selection of courses to take. It is true that their Psy.D program requires a Master's to get in, but the Psy.D students I've spoken to maintain that they absolutely love the program as well.

However, the poster above was right, it is a super expensive school. I decided that it was worth it in the end, but it might not be feasible, or appealing, for others.

California has a ton of MA Psych programs, not just at the professional schools. Just have to look around, and find the type of Masters program you really want to do.

That is my #1 choice...I HOPE I GET IN!!!!!

If you don't mind me asking...what were your stats (GPA, GRE score)?

thanks