PhD or MS to PsyD? Looking for advice!

[xcii]

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Hello, I am looking for some guidance regarding future decisions in pursuing a career in psychology.

I currently have my bachelor's degree and my goal is to pursue a career related to forensic psychology. Areas of work that interest me are: working with the prison population (perhaps as a psychologist or counselor), rehabilitation, assessments/evaluations, victim counseling, jury consultation, or a position relating to psychology in law enforcement. I am exploring PsyD options, however, I am in a rough spot financially and programs have very limited funding. I have no idea how I would juggle this for the long duration of the program. It is a sad reality, but I am still trying to keep an open mind. Would it be worthy to consider options such as a PhD program for Clinical Psychology, or perhaps, a MS in Clinical Counseling and then pursuing a PsyD later? What would be best? If I chose to pursue a PhD, I would compete for an opportunity to attend a program that provides decent to full funding. The one thing I am not very excited about regarding the PhD is its emphasis on research, as I enjoy the clinical focus that the PsyD provides for students. I guess you have to pick your battles, right? As for the MS, this would be a shorter program, help me gain experience in the field, and act as a stepping stone so that I can work for awhile and be in a better place financially before pursuing my PsyD. I understand this would take longer, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to get the best education and degree for something that means so much.

I have also noticed that some schools offer a MS in Forensic Psychology (non-licensure track). I do not find this degree very appealing, as the training and coursework seem very limited, however, I am wondering what one can even do with such a degree?


If anyone can provide advice or answer any of these questions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

 

[psychstudent5]

Hello, I am looking for some guidance regarding future decisions in pursuing a career in psychology.

I currently have my bachelor's degree and my goal is to pursue a career related to forensic psychology. Areas of work that interest me are: working with the prison population (perhaps as a psychologist or counselor), rehabilitation, assessments/evaluations, victim counseling, jury consultation, or a position relating to psychology in law enforcement. I am exploring PsyD options, however, I am in a rough spot financially and programs have very limited funding. I have no idea how I would juggle this for the long duration of the program. It is a sad reality, but I am still trying to keep an open mind. Would it be worthy to consider options such as a PhD program for Clinical Psychology, or perhaps, a MS in Clinical Counseling and then pursuing a PsyD later? What would be best? If I chose to pursue a PhD, I would compete for an opportunity to attend a program that provides decent to full funding. The one thing I am not very excited about regarding the PhD is its emphasis on research, as I enjoy the clinical focus that the PsyD provides for students. I guess you have to pick your battles, right? As for the MS, this would be a shorter program, help me gain experience in the field, and act as a stepping stone so that I can work for awhile and be in a better place financially before pursuing my PsyD. I understand this would take longer, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to get the best education and degree for something that means so much.

I have also noticed that some schools offer a MS in Forensic Psychology (non-licensure track). I do not find this degree very appealing, as the training and coursework seem very limited, however, I am wondering what one can even do with such a degree?


If anyone can provide advice or answer any of these questions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

Honestly, if you want to go into forensics, your best bet is a PhD. Your aversion to research will not suit you well for a long career in psychology. Much of our work is evidence-based, meaning based on research, and you need to be able to understand research to discern between most effective treatments and why they're effective. From what I hear from those in forensics, getting boarded is becoming more and more commonplace. Coming from a reputable PhD program best prepares you for getting an accredited internship, a good postdoc, passing the EPPP and getting board certified. Lastly, PhD programs typically cover your tuition and give you a stipend. Only a small number of PsyD programs do. Most PsyD programs will leave you in $150k debt. Don't sacrifice your financial needs just to avoid doing research. It'll be a detriment (in many ways) in the long run.

 

[Istilldontknow]

Hello, I am looking for some guidance regarding future decisions in pursuing a career in psychology.

I currently have my bachelor's degree and my goal is to pursue a career related to forensic psychology. Areas of work that interest me are: working with the prison population (perhaps as a psychologist or counselor), rehabilitation, assessments/evaluations, victim counseling, jury consultation, or a position relating to psychology in law enforcement. I am exploring PsyD options, however, I am in a rough spot financially and programs have very limited funding. I have no idea how I would juggle this for the long duration of the program. It is a sad reality, but I am still trying to keep an open mind. Would it be worthy to consider options such as a PhD program for Clinical Psychology, or perhaps, a MS in Clinical Counseling and then pursuing a PsyD later? What would be best? If I chose to pursue a PhD, I would compete for an opportunity to attend a program that provides decent to full funding. The one thing I am not very excited about regarding the PhD is its emphasis on research, as I enjoy the clinical focus that the PsyD provides for students. I guess you have to pick your battles, right? As for the MS, this would be a shorter program, help me gain experience in the field, and act as a stepping stone so that I can work for awhile and be in a better place financially before pursuing my PsyD. I understand this would take longer, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to get the best education and degree for something that means so much.

I have also noticed that some schools offer a MS in Forensic Psychology (non-licensure track). I do not find this degree very appealing, as the training and coursework seem very limited, however, I am wondering what one can even do with such a degree?


If anyone can provide advice or answer any of these questions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

Hello! Before I comment on PsyD/MA's, I want to make it clear that a PhD is your best option- for both financial aspects and training. I would look into Sam Houston- they have an amazing Phd program focusing on forensics.

On the other hand, I have a M.A in Forensic Psych and am currently in a reputable PsyD program. Even though I was accepted to PsyD's following undergrad, I decided to get a masters first as forensics is something I have always wanted to learn about. The material I gained from this program has been extremely useful in furthering my career, and I would have never found a doctoral program that offered such in depth courses in forensic psych. For example, our two main professors were both psychologists and lawyers, and all of our lecturers were CIA/FBI and other high up officials in corrections and government. We had access to internships at the FBI, DOJ, federal courts, and a wide range of other sites. I personally worked with the individual who is in charge of overseeing all federal sex-offender tx programs. In addition, we had courses that are not offered at most phd/psyd programs such as Interrogation tactics, Profiling, Police Psych, Counter Terrorism,- all of which were taught by well established individuals in the field.

Though this program is not yet accredited, it is housed in the same building as the university's Counseling MA program, which is accredited. So, they offer a joint degree (I dont know the exact name) where you can take both Forensic Psych and Counseling courses. This allows you to graduate from (and get all your needed hours for licensure) an accredited program and a forensic psych program. So basically, you get two degrees.

I think my MA helped me incredibly in getting into the program where I am at now. Further, when applying to forensic practicums I have an advantage over other students. Though I love my program, it does not offer substantial training in forensic psych, so I am happy to have received previous training. I was also able to work full time while earning my MA and for a few years before applying for a PsyD. However, the pay increase without a license was very limited.

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me

 

[Istilldontknow]

Also, not all PsyD's will leave you with 150k of debt. Most will, but I wouldn't advise applying to these as they normally have low match rates, huge cohorts, and poor training. There are a limited number of PsyDs to chose from IMO, but they are out there. I know my tuition debt will not be anywhere near 100k, which I think is around average for Psyds, and I will be able to pay it off within 2-3 years of graduating (assuming I make at least 60k). Having a MA also allows me to teach undergrad courses which pays anywhere from 5-10k a semester- aka living expenses.

 

[smalltownpsych]

Especially for forensics, I would think more research experience would be useful regardless of what your eventual job looks like. I have done a little forensic work as a primarily clinical psychologist and my perspective is that we just don't have enough knowledge in this arena to guide our interventions or programs and we develop more knowledge through research! I don't think an MS in forensic counseling would really serve anyone well and by anyone I mean the practitioner, the prisoners, the legal systems, or society. Now if a forensic psychologist with solid research skills is in charge of developing programs and training these people, sort of a different story.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

MA/MS Forensic programs often serve as revenue generation for the university. I'm not saying there aren't useful ones, but it isn't licensable and the speciality is a doctoral sub-specialty....so there aren't really direct jobs following graduation that require the degree. The same applies for MA/MS "neuropsychology" programs.

Finding applicable research experience will probably serve most students better if their goal is doctoral-level training.

 

[xcii]

Thank you for all of the advice. I appreciate it very much. A problem I discovered is that I do not have any research experience, as I originally planned to attend a master's program for mental health counseling. Sure, I have SOME experience in the field of psychology, but not in research, and I feel that is it simply not enough regarding the vigorous competition to obtain a position in one of these programs. With lack of experience in mind, would it be wiser to pursue a master's degree first in forensic psychology and partake in more opportunities that could help me get into a PhD program? Or, what can I do to better my chances for acceptance? What is the best way to find volunteer research opportunities? What other opportunities could be beneficial?

 

[smalltownpsych]

Thank you for all of the advice. I appreciate it very much. A problem I discovered is that I do not have any research experience, as I originally planned to attend a master's program for mental health counseling. Sure, I have SOME experience in the field of psychology, but not in research, and I feel that is it simply not enough regarding the vigorous competition to obtain a position in one of these programs. With lack of experience in mind, would it be wiser to pursue a master's degree first in forensic psychology and partake in more opportunities that could help me get into a PhD program? Or, what can I do to better my chances for acceptance? What is the best way to find volunteer research opportunities? What other opportunities could be beneficial?

A MA in mental health counseling would not help if your goal is a forensic psychologist. There are research heavy MAs which might serve better. You can also start looking for research opportunities by contacting the professors at your undergrad and let them know you are looking to get some research experience. Find out what they are doing and see if it matches any of your interests.