Switching Careers - advice needed!

[alb0409]

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I received my BA in Public Relations in 2006 and when I was about done with school I realized I was really interested in Psychology. If only I had known this sooner - I would not have wasted my time with something I really didn't care about! My question is: I'm about to start taking some psych courses this summer at a local community college so I can hopefully apply to a Masters program. The schools I have called have been extremely unhelpful and I was hoping someone might be able to give me advice on which classes to take and what I need to do to even be considered into a Master's Program. I'm thinking I'll eventually want to get a PhD or PsyD but haven't decided on which yet. I was basically told unless I majored or minored in the subject I didn't have a shot in hell of getting into a Master's program. I was planning on taking about 15 credits of Psych courses then I would seriously apply to schools. Does anyone have any advice on steps I need to take or things which I need to take into consideration? I was hoping to take a couple classes at a time while I'm at my full time job - which has NOTHING to do with Psych btw. Advice? Anyone? Please tell me I'm not a lost cause! 😳 Thanks

 

[LovinPsych]

Hello there and welcome to the psychology forums . I am pleased to see you are interested . I hate to sound biased but the more you dig into this field the more you will love it ! It's done that much for me and I've been into it now 9 + months .

I know i can help you with what courses to take . I have found out if you type in random engine searches particularly on yahoo you will find all sorts of the things .

http://psychology.about.com/od/academicresources/f/psychcourses.htm

I came across this web-site when i typed in courses to take to get into Psychology Masters. Mouthful right ? But it works when you type in alot of words to narrow down what you need . But that never replaces advice just a tip 🙂

The courses best suited to get into a Master's program are :

1. Statistics - Over 85% of school's surveyed require or prefer that applicants have taken at least one course in statistics.
2. Experimental Methods/Research Design - Required or preferred by more that 65% of programs surveyed.
3. Abnormal Psychology - Required or preferred by over 30% of graduate programs.
4. Developmental Psychology/Child Development - Required or preferred by over 35% of graduate programs.
5. Personality Psychology - Required or prefered by over 25% of graduate programs.
6. Cognitive Psychology
7. History of Psychology
8. Social Psychology
9. Psychological Testing and Measurement
10. Psychology of Learning
11. Sensation and Perception
12. Physiological Psychology

Now the top 5 are most recommended . These courses are courses most if not all Master's programs look for when you apply . After reading this web-site I've checked out the school I am attending they offer all of it and then some . So I've decided to choose these courses plus the other requirements of my school . It's best to check out where you are attending and what they offer before deciding . I hope I helped with that much , please post any more questions if you have any ! I wish you luck .

Stephy

BTW these may help you too , I am unsure if you are going into Clinical Psychology giving all the degrees you want to do I assume so ...

http://gradschool.about.com/od/psychology/f/psycourses.htm

http://www.drlynnfriedman.com/coursespsychology.html

 

[alb0409]

What I have seen to be a common denominator is 15 credit hours to even apply to a Master's program but again, I have called and they are just really unhelpful and really discouraging so I'm not sure what ELSE I need to do. I think I need to just go over and stand there until someone will actually talk to me! I have also heard that I pretty much need to re-do my undergrad degree to psychology - which is nuts. People change careers all the time, right? I think I'm on the right track - I'm starting out with Behavioral Statistics, Developmental Psychology and Intro to Psych - which I already took but it's been like 7 years. Any idea on what a competitive GRE score looks like? Do I need to take the GRE subject test?

I think I primarily want to do hands on clinical work and less research. Any ideas where to think about looking for an internship or job? I think I'll really be into helping families esp. children of loved ones with mental illness as that's been my obstacle in life with a loved one who is bi-polar and also has a personality disorder. While I think it would be fascinating to work with those with severe mental illness' I don't think that's where I really want to end up.

You have been so helpful! Thanks so much!!! 👍

 

[LovinPsych]

You're certainly welcome . As for those you are asking , maybe you should contact a random accredited school that does psychology and ask them questions? I am unsure if your situation is exactly like mine but I was told in order to get into a Master's program I need to do a BA in psychology . Because I have never done anything in Psych before . However , because you are and have taken some psych classes that " may " not apply to you . That's why you really need to find someone else to talk to . If I can i'll dig some answers up for you cause I know what that is like when no one wants to help you .

This site talks about GRE scores and what you may need to get into a program .

http://www.psywww.com/careers/gre.htm

Taking the GRE appears to be a must from what I've been researching . I often go to the library and just research online on everything that's associated with psychology that's how i help find answers . Anything more I keep searching til I find someone who " wants" to help me . I know where you are there . You want to know as much as possible to do your best and " know " that what you're doing is on the right path . As much as possible .

http://www.educationindex.net/educa...ool/gregraduateexams/scoringgradingofgre.html

That site may help you as well .

http://www.sonoma.edu/psychology/gradschool.htm

As far as interning or a job I am unsure but I'll look around and see if i can find anything for you . 🙂 Whatever you do never stop asking questions even if someone brushes you off or tries to make you feel dumb for asking . Ask someone else if you need to . 🙂

May I ask exactly what your educational path has been thus far ? I see you said it's been 7 years for some of those courses ? Correct me if I am wrong .

 

[thepsychgeek]

I received my BA in Public Relations in 2006 and when I was about done with school I realized I was really interested in Psychology. If only I had known this sooner - I would not have wasted my time with something I really didn't care about! My question is: I'm about to start taking some psych courses this summer at a local community college so I can hopefully apply to a Masters program. The schools I have called have been extremely unhelpful and I was hoping someone might be able to give me advice on which classes to take and what I need to do to even be considered into a Master's Program. I'm thinking I'll eventually want to get a PhD or PsyD but haven't decided on which yet. I was basically told unless I majored or minored in the subject I didn't have a shot in hell of getting into a Master's program. I was planning on taking about 15 credits of Psych courses then I would seriously apply to schools. Does anyone have any advice on steps I need to take or things which I need to take into consideration? I was hoping to take a couple classes at a time while I'm at my full time job - which has NOTHING to do with Psych btw. Advice? Anyone? Please tell me I'm not a lost cause! 😳 Thanks

Beyond the classes, what you're going to need to get into a Master's program is something that sets you apart, given that your degree is non-psych. In this case, experience is your friend. See if there are any places you can do research (your community college counts!), because if you're planning on getting a Ph.D that's going to be key. In that vein, you HAVE to take classes on Stats and something dealing in research (I took one called Research Design for my psych major.). Also, experience working in a psych related field (however tangentially) may also help boost your application when you get around to one.

 

[alb0409]

Thanks Stephy and PsychGeek for the feedback.

Stephy: I graduated in 2006 with a BA in Public Relations and a minor in Apparel Merchandise. Since then I've been working in DC for a lobbying firm doing Government Relations stuff. My first year of school back in 2002, I took Intro to Psych and then a bunch of random Sociology courses throughout college.

 

[jiji7]

Get the core classes listed above.

My background is as an art major with experience at fashion magazines.

I did 5 psych courses and received a psych minor and am now heading to Columbia in the Fall for MHC🙂