Spanish + Psychology???

[sparklyface681]

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Hey all,

So like many people on here I had the misfortune of being rejected from all of the programs I applied to this year. I am currently looking at some different options, one of which is taking a year off from school to focus on improving my GRE scores.

Additionally, I have always wanted to learn Spanish and this would be the perfect time to do so. While I have been looking for jobs I am realizing that knowing Spanish is demanded or preferred by an overwhelming number of employers. Given that-- I was wondering if anyone was aware of:

(1) any programs where one can learn intensive Spanish

(2) any PsyD or PhD programs that emphasize Spanish (so that I can look into these for the next time around)


I would greatly appreciate any advice🙂

 

[apumic]

have you studied Spanish prior? learning a language isn't exactly something you can do in such a short period of time. If you have a few years of Spanish already under your belt, I can see you learning quite a bit in a year if you live and learn in-country but without any background this would be extremely difficult.
I am bilingual in Spanish and learned it as a second language. I found it was valued by many of the programs where I applied but it certainly wasn't what made my applications. Unfortunately, I can't really recommend this route if you have no background. I had several years of academic background in Spanish prior to studying abroad and then went abroad and submersed myself into the culture (that's critical -- and often easy to not do -- so it requires a lot of initiative and intentionality if you hope to learn the language).

I do know that there's a Spanish intensive program in San Diego, CA; however, I would always recommend studying in-country. For about $1,000/mo (incl. tuition, living expenses and modest entertainment expenses), you can study Spanish at la Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Zapopan, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Their website is www.uag.mx. The site is in Spanish but it's pretty navigable with a basic knowledge of the language.

 

[schoolpsych1]

I'm minoring in Spanish and have taken it for years (since grade school) but wasn't able to have a semester abroad which would have helped a lot.
That said, I do work/volunteer in a community that has a high Spanish population and try to hone my skills that way along with a group at college that helps.
It isn't something to learn in 1 year, but you can start. As stated before, it is a plus but wont make a huge difference.
I know when I was looking at hospital/mental health jobs, many said "spanish speaking a plus" and I'm sure in the future it will help, just don't expect a magic bullet.

 

[PhillyPsych]

I think there is also a doctoral school in Puerto Rico (if you are looking to travel) that has a spanish speaking specialty. Being bi-lingual, especially in spanish will also be a major selling factor if you plan on working in a big city or other place with a high concentration of native spanish speakers. I personally know of several sites in Philly near me that pride themselves on having a nearly 100% bilingual staff.

 

[deleted176373]

Hey all,

So like many people on here I had the misfortune of being rejected from all of the programs I applied to this year. I am currently looking at some different options, one of which is taking a year off from school to focus on improving my GRE scores.

Additionally, I have always wanted to learn Spanish and this would be the perfect time to do so. While I have been looking for jobs I am realizing that knowing Spanish is demanded or preferred by an overwhelming number of employers. Given that-- I was wondering if anyone was aware of:

(1) any programs where one can learn intensive Spanish

(2) any PsyD or PhD programs that emphasize Spanish (so that I can look into these for the next time around)


I would greatly appreciate any advice🙂

Our Lady of the Lake - San Antonio TX, Counseling Psy.D.

Expensive but excellent program with low GRE admission requirements (don't assume it's easy to get in... but you can overcome a low GRE here)

Mark

 

[Psychie1]

If you are looking at programs out of country, I liked Don Quijote--you can go to a variety of countries and spend from one week to any amount of time you'd like. I went to Spain for 3 months, and loved the program and GREATLY improved my Spanish (I did study it all the way through college). Their website is very helpful if you're interested.

I don't know of specific programs that emphasize knowing Spanish--but I think it's helpful anywhere! I ended up getting a research assistantship in my program with someone who is researching Latina women--I wouldn't have been able to have this opportunity if I didn't speak Spanish. I think it's becoming increasingly important in general.

 

[baylordude]

Escuela Internacional in Cuernavaca, Mexico...I had a blast! Awesome immersion program with a host family and the whole nine yards. I must've gained 10lbs from all of the manteca-loaded foods and Carta Blanca.

 

[Jon4PsyD]

I agree with Mark. The program at Our Lady of the Lake is VERY impressive. They probably cater to the Hispanic population more than any doctoral program out there. The University of Miami also had a decent program in their Counseling Psychology Ph.D.

But definitely check out OLLU. I was very impressed with their students, program, and faculty. They have presented on their international practicum programs in Latin America at various conferences.

Jon

 

[psychanxiety]

I agree with Mark. The program at Our Lady of the Lake is VERY impressive. They probably cater to the Hispanic population more than any doctoral program out there. The University of Miami also had a decent program in their Counseling Psychology Ph.D.

But definitely check out OLLU. I was very impressed with their students, program, and faculty. They have presented on their international practicum programs in Latin America at various conferences.

Jon

In Miami's clinical phd program, Amy Weisman de Mamani does some awesome research on culturally applicable therapy, focusing on schizophrenia in spanish speaking families.

 

[sparklyface681]

Thanks for all of the advice! I am definitely looking into Don Quijote and Our Lady of the Lake...

I looked into the Puerto Rico program but an admissions requirement was that you already know Spanish :-(

 

[apumic]

Thanks for all of the advice! I am definitely looking into Don Quijote and Our Lady of the Lake...

I looked into the Puerto Rico program but an admissions requirement was that you already know Spanish :-(

I think you're going to find that to be true at least implicitly w/ any immersion program. The assumption is that you have at least some background. Where I studied abroad (UAG in Gudalajara, MX), they have a "Level 1" for people with minimal ability but at least some basic experience (i.e., you could get by in the country if your life depended on it; you just might speak like the most primitive caveman imaginable) and an "Emergency Level 1" course they offer when necessary for people who arrive with literally no Spanish skills. But the fact is that without some basic level of language skills, you could end up in a bad situation (e.g., your ride forgot to come get you or gave you a location to meet them but you cannot find it or you get lost at night in a big city on foot -- and I'll tell you now that I had all three of those things happen multiple times while I was down in GDL) as early as when you step off the plane and have no way of getting assistance b/c you don't speak their language and few people understand yours (esp. well enough to really help you).