Psy D vs. MSW

[h2oLillies]

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Ha! That's the most honest, straight forward comment I've read in a long time! Wouldn't it be nice if we could just have someone tell us what to do? This is such a scary process and a life-altering decision that all of the input and advice helps, but still leaves us stuck with the hard part.

I think the bottom line was that you should do what's best for you...

I bet that's NOT what you want to hear! 🙄

lol im all about the honesty! but yes i completely agree, this process has been really draining especially with classes, a thesis, and teaching an undergrad recitation at the same time! but i do appreciate all the comments more than you know! i am 90% sure that i will be staying in ny, attending nyu's msw, and figure out how i feel about it. if i see that it isn't right for me then i will retake the gre's and reapply to schools closer to home. a huge factor with FIT's program was the distance and serious life change. i think (and certainly hope) that this plan will work out best.......

 

[phrenologist]

Congratulations on (maybe?) making a decision! If it's at all heartening, I got an MSW and now am celebrating getting into my first choice PhD clinical psychology program. Despite realizing that I wanted more training and a doctorate, I don't regret the time or money spent on my MSW degree, amazingly. And many of my social work classmates have great clinical jobs. It often gets discounted in academia, but location IS really important to many people and I think is a legitimate factor in making a decision for crucial years of your life. (This post is to validate, not sway you!) I wish you the best.

 

[h2oLillies]

Congratulations on (maybe?) making a decision! If it's at all heartening, I got an MSW and now am celebrating getting into my first choice PhD clinical psychology program. Despite realizing that I wanted more training and a doctorate, I don't regret the time or money spent on my MSW degree, amazingly. And many of my social work classmates have great clinical jobs. It often gets discounted in academia, but location IS really important to many people and I think is a legitimate factor in making a decision for crucial years of your life. (This post is to validate, not sway you!) I wish you the best.

Thanks! Congrates to you too! I have heard some people getting PsyD/Phds after their MSW, makes me a little worried I guess... I am finishing my MA in psychology so the next route would be a doctorate (as I have thought these past 2 years) but then hearing/reading more about the MSW made me think of this as another option. I just hope I wont regret these next 2 years...

 

[h2oLillies]

I think I seriously need to stop meeting people with various degrees from different programs because it is driving me insane and makes me rethink any decision I make... So I met with a director of a counseling center (who has a PhD) at a clinical program in NY and he basically said that I should go for the Psy D over a MSW. He suggested that I contact additional programs nearby in the East Coast and ask about any spots that have not been filled or being able to apply late. Is this even a possibility?? I thought after the deadline then there was no way of being considered or there being a rolling type process??!?! I'm not sure how to go about this so I thought I would ask all of you...

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I'd think at any reputable program....it'd be very very unlikely....sorry! The application process is ~3-4 months, and I'm sure they have enough ranked people. I guess there is a chance that their top people take other offers, but it'd be a fluke to find a place with a spot, if you didn't know a PD or Dean very very well.

-t

 

[h2oLillies]

Isn't an MSW a lateral move from a masters in psychology?

No because my MA was general, the MSW I am considering at NYU has a clinical focus. I don't have any debt thus far bc my MA was paid for by scholarship. Did you ever get my PM a few weeks ago, Jon? It was my first time using it so let me know if it went through or not...

 

[coloradocutter]

didn't read through all of the posts but seems like comparing apples and oranges - one is a doctorate the other is not. the theoretical underpinnings of each field are entirely different. if rxp is passed in your state, the MSW will not get you there. depends on your clinical orientation and your ultimate career goals.

this board goes back and forth on the psyd issue. i think any responsible person would try to go to the best school that they can, and then after that, YOU make your career, your practice, your reputation in any profession with any degree.

i am an attorney at a top 10 law firm (based on American Law Journal ratings) and all my colleagues went to ivy leagues for both undergrad and law school. i went to a top 15 school, but it was a state school and my home state, so my tuition was reasonable and i have no debt now. everything i make is just gravy - and being used as funds for grad school! i did have to make really good grades, no doubt, but i think that my personality and my drive got me to where i am. once you have the experience and the resume, the name of the institution just doesn't matter anymore. of course, i am not speaking about academia....🙁

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Great post cc.

That being said....you wanna share some of the lawyer fundage you are setting aside for grad school? Maybe you can do an, "Adopt a Therapist"4Chnge program?



Ok...just kidding, but I am with you on the name not matter much when you get out (though your clinical training wil!)

-t

 

[kojo]

I know a psychologist who went to Florida Tech for her Psy.D. She seemed to enjoy it and had positive things to say about it overall. I think they have concentrations in both child psychology and marriage and family therapy, which sounds to be right up your alley.

I would agree that a Psy.D. is probably the better option. I know many LCSWs, and almost all have told me that psychologists are better paid (even if doing the same work), and in many cases, have a better chance of getting into administration/supervisory roles.

For what it's worth, from the pictures I've seen, Melbourne looks like a BEAUTIFUL place. Not a bad place to be for 4-5 years 😉

Whatever you decide, best of luck!

FIT is a good school, its university based and has funding (I mentioned this on a different post I think). They have several profs who are/were editors of major journals and yes Melbourne is a nice city, close to everything but quiet as well. Tons of practica sites as well.

 

[LEPRECHAUN58]

Thanks all for all the good advise and information. On a relate note: what are your thoughts on the strength of a BA graduate from a nontraditional school [i.e. Antioch Seattle] vs. from a more traditional research institution [UW].

I will be researching and applying for grad schools next year, and although I have doubts of my strength for psyD programs, I will likely find an M.A. program that is a good fit for my interests (developmental and psychosocial factors in addictive behaviors in gay men). SF state's human sexuality MA will be a good fit. Also on a related note, do you think the discipline or field one's M.A. is in will affect the strength of one's application for phD or psyD programs? I.E. should I be granted acceptance in an anthropology MA, do my work using concepts and authors in that field in my area of interest, would I be a weaker candidate than someone in a top tier psychology MA program?

 

[deleted176373]

Also on a related note, do you think the discipline or field one's M.A. is in will affect the strength of one's application for phD or psyD programs?

Certainly it can... Would you give someone with an M.A. in Asian Literature the same consideration as someone with an M.A. in Psychology? You might if that person researching Asian Literature was looking to work on the psychological impact that print media has on Asian culture. Then again you might find the person with an M.A. in psychology didn't present, has weak statistics knowledge, and conducted research that is completely out of line with their potential area of research for doctoral studies. It is up to you to sell it to an admissions committee, presenting at psychological conferences even while pursuing studies outside of psychology is one way to remain "plugged in", especially if you can publish.

I.E. should I be granted acceptance in an anthropology MA, do my work using concepts and authors in that field in my area of interest, would I be a weaker candidate than someone in a top tier psychology MA program?

You certainly may be a weaker candidate, but that all depends on how you package it. If you can show that what you did was groundwork for your later research you have a much better chance of selling it as being useful and practical. Don't expect it to give you an advantage or even maintain parity unless you can show very clearly why this avenue made sense (to them and not just you.)

Mark