Terminal MS vs. Terminal MS at school w/ PhD vs. MA in Clinical

[psychotic37]

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Hi All -

Sorry if this topic has been shot to death, but I'm in a bit of a quandary. Unfortunately I didn't get into Clinical PhDs this year, and that is my ultimate goal. I have many alternatives, and right now I have no idea what to do.

1) Get a terminal MS in experimental psych at a very respectable university, but said university does not offer a PhD program. Having said that, the program would be FULLY FUNDED W/ STIPEND, with teaching and/or research assistantships. But alas, no opportunity to work with PhD students and potential professors I would want as my PhD advisor.

2) Get a terminal MS in experimental psych at a very respectable university that also offers a Clinical Psych PhD. I would be working side by side with PhD students and potential POIs. NOT fully funded, not even sure if partially funded.

3) MA in clinical psych from a not as great school with no funding.

4) Instead of, or in addition, a clinical research job at an extremely reputable institution (which I have been doing for the past 2 years.... and didn't help me get into PhDs...). I could do job part-time and potentially, if not too overwhelmed, go to school as well.....

Any advice so much appreciated!!! Thanks!

 

[Marissa4usa]

Hi All -

Sorry if this topic has been shot to death, but I'm in a bit of a quandary. Unfortunately I didn't get into Clinical PhDs this year, and that is my ultimate goal. I have many alternatives, and right now I have no idea what to do.

1) Get a terminal MS in experimental psych at a very respectable university, but said university does not offer a PhD program. Having said that, the program would be FULLY FUNDED W/ STIPEND, with teaching and/or research assistantships. But alas, no opportunity to work with PhD students and potential professors I would want as my PhD advisor.

2) Get a terminal MS in experimental psych at a very respectable university that also offers a Clinical Psych PhD. I would be working side by side with PhD students and potential POIs. NOT fully funded, not even sure if partially funded.

3) MA in clinical psych from a not as great school with no funding.

4) Instead of, or in addition, a clinical research job at an extremely reputable institution (which I have been doing for the past 2 years.... and didn't help me get into PhDs...). I could do job part-time and potentially, if not too overwhelmed, go to school as well.....

Any advice so much appreciated!!! Thanks!

Does that program at the school also offering a PhD a history of accepting their masters students into their PhD program?

 

[KillerDiller]

I actually think the absence of a PhD program can be an advantage for masters students. You will get more responsibility in the research labs and won't have to fight the more advanced students for your professors' attention.

Definitely check out the history of masters students being accepted into the doctoral program in question. Some schools will actually show a bias against taking their own students.

 

[psychotic37]

Does that program at the school also offering a PhD a history of accepting their masters students into their PhD program?

excellent question - i have no idea. that is definitely something i need to find out. but alas, how do i find out for real? they "say" that their master's students are not given an advantage or disadvantage when applying to their PhD program, but i'm not completely sure i can trust what they say.... of course that would be the standard line.

i would want to go there b/c they were, and are, my first choice PhD program, but I had not considered that attending their master's program might actually hinder my chances of getting into their PhD....

thanks KillerDiller for pointing that out, and yes, it's a very good point that I would have a lot more opportunities at the school w/o the PhD program, as it would be more akin to a big fish in a small pond.... but again, wouldn't be working with my top POI... ughh, i keep going in circles...

 

[Marissa4usa]

I would honestly just asked the program director. I mean you already have the offer, they cannot take that away from, even if they don't "like" your questions. I would also even talk to directly to your professor of interest or current students.

Also, how much is tuition? Is it a private or public school? That would be an important factor in my decison. At the end of the day, you don't want to fork over a lot of money for a degree that in itself is relatively worthless.

Also, if they are saying that their master's students won't have an advantage of disadvantage when applying for the PhD program, then the same applies for students from external programs an in this case the funded program where you are likely are going to have more opportunities to grow, seems like a much better option.

I definitely wouldn't do the clinical psych M.A.

 

[psychotic37]

very true. they are both private universities, so funding is pretty steep (for the non-funded one). it's just really hard turning down the opportunity to work with the POI i initially wanted to work with... but it wouldn't be for the PhD anyway...

and exactly, if there's no advantage/disadvantage either way, then i might even have a better shot for the PhD when all is said and done at the funded, terminal ms/no phd program, as i would be able to be a research and teaching assistant....

i talk myself into taking the funded opportunity, then say "BUT BUT, the other place is where i wanted to go!" i think i just have to remind myself that even if it was my top PhD choice, i wouldn't be going there for my PhD, but would have the potential to do so in the future....

 

[athenax]

I am finishing up my experimental psych MS at a good school with funding (PM me if you want to know where, perhaps it is the same place!) and I can tell you that it has been a huge advantage to not have PhD students around. Like previously stated, we get the faculty's full attention and are in charge of their labs, TA-ing, basically acting like your typical doc students would. You are also not pushed aside for research and have more flexibility concerning your interests and what-not.
Last year when the recession was fully underway, the class that was graduating did not have much luck getting into doctoral programs, however, everyone in my year who has tried to go onto a doctoral program has at least gotten an interview. The majority of them, including myself, have had several offers of acceptance, so I think if anything this will help to increase your odds. More research experience is a definite plus, and if you can get funding... why not?! Feel free to send me any questions you have!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I actually think the absence of a PhD program can be an advantage for masters students. You will get more responsibility in the research labs and won't have to fight the more advanced students for your professors' attention.

Definitely check out the history of masters students being accepted into the doctoral program in question. Some schools will actually show a bias against taking their own students.

Both of these points are spot on. If you can get fully funded AND they have a good track record of placing students into Ph.D. programs...it really is an ideal situation. Try and avoid taking on any debt. An MA in clinical psychology is generally useless because while it is meant for a stepping stone, they usually aren't rigorous enough in stats/research to make much of a difference in your application to doctoral programs.

 

[psychotic37]

Thanks everyone -

So I thought I had things pretty figured out - it seemed little to no debt, good PhD placement = ideal. But now I'm torn again. I've basically dropped the clinical idea - I would love the coursework, but I don't want to pay for it if I'll just do it again in a PhD program.

The unfunded MS in experimental is kind of a perfect fit. They have multiple professors doing research that I would LOVE to get involved in, whereas the funded program... not so much. Also, while they can't say so, and they say that all students are treated the same if they apply for their PhD from their Masters program, the acceptance rates of students from their own masters to their own PhD are quite astounding. And virtually a lock for a PhD somewhere..... still.... worth spending the extra $$$?

I'm very confused again....🙁

 

[ytqj2008]

Thanks everyone -

So I thought I had things pretty figured out - it seemed little to no debt, good PhD placement = ideal. But now I'm torn again. I've basically dropped the clinical idea - I would love the coursework, but I don't want to pay for it if I'll just do it again in a PhD program.

The unfunded MS in experimental is kind of a perfect fit. They have multiple professors doing research that I would LOVE to get involved in, whereas the funded program... not so much. Also, while they can't say so, and they say that all students are treated the same if they apply for their PhD from their Masters program, the acceptance rates of students from their own masters to their own PhD are quite astounding. And virtually a lock for a PhD somewhere..... still.... worth spending the extra $$$?

I'm very confused again....🙁

I heard that in a program that has both PhD and Master's degree, Master's level students' opportunities to work with professors in research are quite limited compared to PhD students., but it may vary on a case to case basis.