Graduate School in Psychology

Overview 1.Graduate school to become a therapist 2.Graduate school to become other kinds of psychologists –I/O psychology (MS or Ph.D.) –Academic psychology (Research Ph.D) 3.Your Questions

General Steps for all programs Look at different programs using “Graduate Study in Psychology” book (APA) Components of an application –GRE’s (M&V always, psych subject test sometimes) –GPA –Research experience/ real-world experience –Letters of recommendation –Statement of interest (get help here!) Deadlines are late December, January for Ph.D.; March or later for masters programs (usually) Admissions Interview for Doctoral level programs (get help)

Paths to becoming a Therapist Psychiatrist –M.D. Licensed Psychologist –Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology –Psy.D. in Clinical or Counseling Psychology –Ed.D./Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology Licensed Clinical Social Worker –MSW (Master of Social Work) Licensed Professional Counselor –MS or MA in Psychology or Counseling About Licensing –State specific –Coursework –Standardized Test –Clinical Hours/Supervised hours

Doctoral Degrees M.D. with specialty in Psychiatry Prestigious Training in prescription writing (less intense training in psychotherapies) Opportunities to hold supervisory positions in hospitals Admission to medical school: competitive –GPA (must take pre-med courses) –MCATs Graduate school: 4 years for MD, then residency of 3 to 4 years in psychiatry training Cost: Very expensive

Doctoral Degrees Ph.D. Clinical Psychology Prestigious Training in both research and clinical practice (Boulder Model) Opportunities to teach at a university, supervise masters level psychologists, do research, can administer tests, be an expert witness, etc. Admission to graduate school: extremely competitive –GPA (3.7+) –GREs (1250+) –Significant research experience Graduate school: 5 to 7 years, including a 1-year internship Cost: LEAST expensive (you get a TA position, which includes tuition and a small stipend) Job prospects: Difficult to find work in direct therapy!

Doctoral Degrees Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology Less prestigious than the Ph.D. in Clinical Training focuses on clinical practice, preferably based in science Practice focuses on clients with less severe problems Can teach at a university, may be allowed to supervise, can administer tests. Admission to graduate school: very competitive –GPA –GREs –Research experience Graduate school: about 5-6 years, including a 1-year internship Cost: Less expensive, TA and RA positions are often available that cover tuition and a stipend Job prospects: Still difficult to find work in direct therapy!

Doctoral Degrees Psy.D. Clinical or Counseling Psychology Less prestigious than the Ph.D. Training focuses on clinical practice, preferably based in science Can’t do research, can’t teach at a university, may be allowed to supervise others, can administer tests Admission to graduate school: very competitive –GPA –GREs –Research experience Graduate school: about 5 years, including a 1-year internship Cost: VERY EXPENSIVE, some financial aid available Job prospects: Still difficult to find work in direct therapy!

Masters Degrees Masters in Social Work (MSW) –Eventual LCSW –License requires specific coursework, hours of supervised training, Licensing exam (state-specific) Training focuses on clinical practice, less focus on scientifically supported therapies Actually work with clients upon graduating! Admission to graduate school is less competitive –GRE’s –GPA –Basic research experience Graduate school takes 3 years on average, includes regular clinical supervision

Masters Degrees Masters in Clinical Psychology or Counseling –Eventual Licensed Professional Counselor –60 hours of specific coursework, hours of supervised training, Licensing exam (state-specific) Training focuses on clinical practice; the best programs focus on scientifically supported therapies Actually work with clients upon graduating! Admission to graduate school is less competitive –GRE’s –GPA –Basic research experience Graduate school takes 3 years on average, includes regular clinical supervision

If you want to do therapy, don’t get a doctoral level degree Search “Licensed Psychologist” and state name to find requirements for Doctoral licensing Search “Licensed Professional Counselor” and state to find requirements for Masters’ level licensing

School Psychology School psychologists work with teachers, children and parents to develop and implement individual educational programs, administer diagnostic tests (e.g., IQ tests, learning disability tests), and counsel students with emotional or behavioral problems MS or Ph.D. programs Graduate school admission, length and cost similar to MS and Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology Licensure reguations here, too. Work requirements may emphasize government report writing, more than working with children

Choosing a Graduate School Look for accreditation of the program by the APA, or by NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors) A research-based program is best Ask if you will be taking specific courses you may need for licensure (e.g., ethics, family therapy, etc.)

Industrial/Organizational Psychology Work in government, universities, and businesses –Develop and validate employment tests –Decide on compensation, analyze jobs –Consult on employee motivation, leadership, organizational structure Admission to Ph.D. programs very competitive –Research experience is high priority –GPA, GRE’s MS programs less competitive

Research Psychology Ph.D. in research Usually earn a masters ½ way through Specialty areas –Developmental –Cognitive –Social –Personality –Behavioral Neuroscience Admission to graduate school is competitive (especially for a prestigious program) Cost of graduate school is low; you get a TA or RA position that includes a stipend and tuition coverage Careers –Teaching at a university –Consulting –Basic research in institutes, non-profits, companies

What if I don’t get in? A Masters in General Psychology can prepare you for Ph.D. programs –Shows you can do graduate work –Publish research (ideally) Study to raise your GRE scores Clinical work experience may also help for other programs