Post-Bac programs? (Columbia in particular)

[AspiringtoPsych]

Hi everyone. I'm looking for some advice: I want to go back to school for a PhD in psych. I've considered the options and I think this one, debt-wise, is better for me than a PsyD. The problem is that my undergrad degree was in another subject and I only have a few psych courses (and I graduated 5 years ago). I don't have much research experience so I was looking into post-bac programs (as opposed to just taking a bunch of psych courses at a local university as a non-degree student). The only one I've really found is at Columbia. It appears to be quite expensive (as much as $30,000 for the year - if I'm reading their website right). Has anyone done this program or heard anything about it? I'm wondering how I'd be able to pay for it and afford to live in NYC. On the other hand, they do make it clear that you get the requisite research experience...Not sure what to do and the application deadline is coming up soon! Thanks in advance!

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[joetro]

Some schools only require a few psych courses, so you don't necessarily need to have majored in it. Check the APA book for sure. Perhaps try to work as an RA for a year or two in order to get the research experience, and maybe take an additional course or two (especially statistics and methods, if you don't have them) rather than the post-bac?

 

[lisa4747]

Hi,
In response to your question, I was in your position and I did the non-degree route at several NYC schools (baruch, ccny, etc)...UNLESS you are really aspiring to get into Columbia's clinical phd program (in that case, you would have a great edge), I would highly advise against doing such a costly post-bac program (unless money's not an issue of course)...I took my psych courses at various schools (made sure to get all A's) and got decent RA experience at one of them. Summer/winter sessions are great because you can really condense the workload. As I said, unless you are dead-set on Columbia's doctoral program (in that case, perhaps you could get in with a professor's research, but even then, the chances may not be worth 30K/year), I would do some extra work to avoid the ridiculous prices.
I was recently accepted to 2 of the 4 programs to which I applied so I definitely don't think that route hurt me.
Good luck to you!
~Lisa

 

[AspiringtoPsych]

That's interesting advice, thanks. How did you go about getting research assistant positions? Did you approach professors at the universities that you were taking classes at? Since I have little experience, I'm not sure how you go about doing that.

 

[psychanon]

I have known a couple people who have done the Columbia program, and they have done VERY well, getting into multiple top clinical programs with no psych background prior to attending Columbia. I can't speak to whether or not it's worth the cost--that's up to you. But I do think it is a very good program.

I don't think it would necessarily help you get into Columbia's clinical phd program (since that's housed in Teacher's College and I believe the post-bacc is in the psychology department, where there is no clinical program). But Columbia's program isn't very good anyway (unless you're very psychodynamic)

To get paying RA jobs, look at the websites of big research universities and hospitals in your area (New York State Psychiatric Institute, Mass General, McLean Hospital, and Penn are all places that I know have a lot of jobs). BUT you may not be competitive for these jobs without a good psych background. Another thing that people I have known have done is to go to a good state school (to save $$) with a good clinical program, take classes in psych there, and volunteer in labs. I have met several people who have gone this route who have done very well.

 

[Psychman23]

Anyone know of any other Post-Bac programs that would give me a few more psychology courses on the east coast? I could also use a few more courses before I apply for my PhD.
Thanks

 

[lisa4747]

That's interesting advice, thanks. How did you go about getting research assistant positions? Did you approach professors at the universities that you were taking classes at? Since I have little experience, I'm not sure how you go about doing that.

Exactly--to work for free in a professor's lab should not be so impossible. I contacted a prof with interesting research to me and interviewed with grad students. message me for more info i'd be glad to talk!

 

[Noah333]

i agree, go to cuny - i opted to do this over going to columbia and it all turned out fine for me as well (save your money!)

 

[SaraL124]

If you get a paid job in a university system as an RA (or even NYSPI) you can often take classes for free at the affiliated university. My husband worked at Columbia Hospital and took free classes at Columbia to finish his degree and another co-worker at NYSPI took her degree classes at TC for free.

 

[ClinApp]

To throw my 2 cents in - it is an excellent program, and it doesn't cost $30,000 a year really - it depends on how many courses you take, of course, and most people take 2 or 3 a semester. If you already have some coursework in psychology you'll need fewer courses for the certificate (and you don't have to complete the certificate program to benefit from it). You'll be challenged by smart students and smarter professors, giving you some insight into whether you have what it takes to suceed in psychology. The real benefit is getting research experience with Columbia's excellent faculty. If you work hard for a year, you'll get good recommendations and good grades from a top-notch psychology program, which will serve you well during interviews. This is a better route if you want to be a researcher, as opposed to a clinician, as Columbia is not very application-oriented. Good luck!

 

[SaraL124]

Also- in the Columbia program, there is no cross-over to the Clinical program which is housed at Teacher's College, so you will be working with the Social and Cognitive Psychology faculty. But, yes, the program is excellent and there are ways to get the classes for free!

 

[mjcf]

Hi,

I had to go through the same dilemma... Thought about the Columbia program seriously...

and then decided to take classes as a continuing education student in a less expensive school. If you do really well in your classes, you will see that your teachers will help you out with research experience. Especially if you're willing to volunteer, at least in the beginning, you'll always find someone to help. if you have the money and want to avoid the stress of having to figure out everything by yourself in the beginning, Columbia sounds good, but you can definitely succeed without going there... I haven t applied yet, but I m really happy with my experience as a nontraditional student. And I'm glad to see other people who made the same choice did get in!

Good luck!
Marie.