Undergrad with low GPA, PsyD or MSW?

[SPsyDang]

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I am attending a pretty famous and prestigious liberal arts college but my GPA is 3.4
I have been debating with PsyD and MSW. My only goal right now is to be a therapist. I do not enjoy research and lab.
But due to the longer internships and opportunities in PsyD, I have been advised to apply to PsyD, rather than MSW.
Is this true? And if so, where could I apply that are PsyD programmes with a therapy-focus?

 

[WisNeuro]

Do a search, there are no fewer than 10 different threads asking a similar question.

 

[BuckeyeLove]

Not sure about "longer internships and opportunities" but I imagine most folks on here are going to advise you to go the MSW route, that is if your sole interest is providing front line clinical care/ therapy. PsyD programs themselves are not solely designed to be "therapy-focused" maybe clinically focused might be a better qualifier; however, solid PsyD programs are going provide you with the skills to consume and critically evaluate literature (i.e., think like a scientist). Consequently, not having an appreciation for research is going to be somewhat counter intuitive with regards to your training.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I am attending a pretty famous and prestigious liberal arts college but my GPA is 3.4
I have been debating with PsyD and MSW. My only goal right now is to be a therapist. I do not enjoy research and lab.
But due to the longer internships and opportunities in PsyD, I have been advised to apply to PsyD, rather than MSW.
Is this true? And if so, where could I apply that are PsyD programmes with a therapy-focus?

If you do not want to participate in research studies and review, then doctoral training is probably not for you.

 

[smalltownpsych]

I wonder if it makes sense to be a social worker if you don't like research. If you don't want to stay on top of current findings in the field, then how are you going to be a good clinician regardless of the degree? There are aspects of research that I don't find appealing, but a blanket statement like that makes me cringe.

 

[Goobernut]

Quite frankly, if the OP does not enjoy research or lab, I'd suggest he/she question the idea of an MSW as well. my MSW program required some research classes before entry, while some of the counseling programs I was accepted to did not. I think the research requirement is standard for our accrediting body.

In our MSW program we had 2 semesters of research in which we had to design and complete our own research project (which I'm sure mine was more rigorous than the bird dissertation). I'm pretty sure those classes are required by the ASWB as well. Again, because standards are highly variable across states for Counseling licensure, programs may have a varying research requirements. Though if memory serves I think all licensures require at least one semester of research

I am not comparing the level of research I have to that of a doctorate, by any means, just making readers aware that they will have to "endure" research for quite a few classes even in a MSW program.

Well and if we are comparing high quality MSW to a low quality FSPS PsyD, I might actually have better research experience.

 

[ikibah]

Likewise, My program required quite a few research classes as well. However, I would like to add when the OP said he hates research, I do not think that implies he won't stay up to date on EBP. Rather I believe he meant he hates actually doing research..as I do. Staying up to date on research and doing it are two very different things.

Quite frankly, if the OP does enjoy research or lab, I'd suggest he/she question the idea of an MSW as well. my MSW program required some research classes before entry, while some of the counseling programs I was accepted to did not. I think the research requirement is standard for our accrediting body.

In our MSW program we had 2 semesters of research in which we had to design and complete our own research project (which I'm sure mine was more rigorous than the bird dissertation). I'm pretty sure those classes are required by the ASWB as well. Again, because standards are highly variable across states for Counseling licensure, programs may have a varying research requirements. Though if memory serves I think all licensures require at least one semester of research

I am not comparing the level of research I have to that of a doctorate, by any means, just making readers aware that they will have to "endure" research for quite a few classes even in a MSW program.

Well and if we are comparing high quality MSW to a low quality FSPS PsyD, I might actually have better research experience.

 

[smalltownpsych]

It's hard to stay up on it without a solid understanding of how to conduct and set-up research. One needs to be able to read papers critically and identify flaws in the conclusions that may have made it past peer review, as well as to understand it within the context of the broader literature.

Exactly. Even when there aren't flaws, there are limitations and interpretations of the results that I have to be able to infer as I distill the information to apply it to a clinical case. Part of research is the process of critical analysis of existing research so if someone says they "hate research" I take it to mean that too. If they meant writing articles or lit reviews then I would say thats not something I enjoy either. It's like with assessment, I really only enjoy the interpretation, the administration can be ok depending on the test and report writing my least favorite part. But you can't just eat desserts your whole life, sometimes you have to have some spinach!

 

[YahYouBetcha]

If your goal is to be a therapist, I would say go for the MSW because PsyD programs aren't funded, so you would have to pay out-of-pocket $60,000 a year for 5 years :O At least MSW programs are only 3 years or so.