Planning on applying to School Psychology programs in near future, masters/specialists level. Currently have a job offer involving great clinical experience with special needs children. I also may have an option gaining relevant research experience. Clinical job is more convenient but would research position help more for grad school? Or is that only the case for PhD programs?
Research Vs Clinical Post-grad experience for School Psych
- Thread starter Drl5045
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Depends on the focus of the program, but for most MA/CAGS/EdS and especially those at a school without a PhD program, I would say experience with special needs children is more valuable. This is double if you have SOME research experience in undergrad (to show that you get the idea of it, and can understand research articles in the field).
Funding sources/availability may make a difference as well. If assistantships are competitive, and they are mostly TA/RA, research experience would definitely make you a stronger candidate for funding. For admissions though, that clinical experience sounds perhaps more valuable.
Funding sources/availability may make a difference as well. If assistantships are competitive, and they are mostly TA/RA, research experience would definitely make you a stronger candidate for funding. For admissions though, that clinical experience sounds perhaps more valuable.
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As someone who applied to school psych PhD programs with LOTS of research experience related to disability (my research interest, broadly defined), even a publication, but no child research experience and very minimal (compared to my fellow interviewees at least) child/child clinical experience. I believe my relative lack of child experience hurt me significantly, though I did end up getting into a couple of excellent, funded PhD programs, so I don't have any huge regrets.
For EdS/MA+CAGs programs, child/clinical child experience is probably even more important. Is there a way for you to do the clinical job and get (perferably child-related) research experience on the side? If so, that would be ideal, I think.You really want both, but in your situation, you probably want more clinical experience.
For EdS/MA+CAGs programs, child/clinical child experience is probably even more important. Is there a way for you to do the clinical job and get (perferably child-related) research experience on the side? If so, that would be ideal, I think.You really want both, but in your situation, you probably want more clinical experience.
