Transcript WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GRADUATE SCHOOL CAREER PATHS IN PSYCHOLOGY from: www.apa.org/ed/graduate/faqs.html.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT GRADUATE SCHOOL
CAREER PATHS IN PSYCHOLOGY
from: www.apa.org/ed/graduate/faqs.html
TYPES OF GRADUATE PROGRAMS:
MSW
MA/MS
PsyD
PhD
PURSUING A MASTERS OF PSYCHOLOGY
 MA/MS
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Take courses in many psychology subfields.
Perform research.
Good if you want to enroll in a PhD program or
want a better understanding of psychology
subfields.
 MA
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in General Psychology
in School Psychology
Might be housed in Dept. of Psychology or Dept. of
Education
Take courses in testing, intervention, counseling.
Good if you want to work in school settings with
students and parents.
PURSUING A MASTERS
 MA
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in Counseling Psychology
Mental Health
Community
Marriage & Family
Career, Education, and School
Rehabilitation & Substance Abuse
Good if you want to counsel clients in one of
these specific subfields.
MASTERS DETAILS

Length of study:
General MA/MS = 2 years of coursework.
 Counseling MA includes an internship during the 2 year
program.
 School Psychology includes 1 year internship in addition to
supervised fieldwork during coursework (3 yrs. total).
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Employment in a public school requires certification by the
State Department of Education.
School & Counseling requires certification or licensensure
by the state.
Benefits and Constraints: Quick and thorough, though
fewer options than a PhD. May not receive
reimbursement through insurance agencies.
MASTERS DETAILS

Career Options:
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General MA/MS = prepares for PhD, research
career (nonprofit, NGO), school settings.
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Counseling MA = independent counselor,
counselor at hospital, group home, or school
setting.
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School Psychology MA = prepare for PhD,
work in school settings, private practice.
PURSUING A PSYD
 Good
if you want to test, diagnose,
and treat psychological disorders.
 Focuses
 Does
on therapy.
not involve a research
component.
PSYD DETAILS
 Length
of study: 4-6 years, plus 1 year
APA approved internship.
 Career
Options: Hospitals, private
practice, clinics.
 Benefits
and Constraints: Usually full
licensure, less competitive than PhD,
limits options in academia.
PURSUING A PHD
 Clinical

PhD
Science/Practitioner Model. Research and clinical
training.
 Research

PhD
Science Model. Research training. Does not relate
to therapy or seeing patients. Social, Cognitive,
Developmental, and Neuroscience.
 Good
work.
if you want to do research and/or clinical
PHD DETAILS
 Length
of study: 4- 7 years, including 1 year
APA approved internship (for clinical).
 Career
Options: Any! Academia
(professors), researchers, private
practitioner (clinical), hospitals and
teaching hospitals.
 Benefits
and Constraints: Most flexibility
and money. Long and time-consuming.
COMPARISON OF PSYD AND PHD PLACEMENTS
from: www.apa.org/ed/graduate/faqs.html
TYPICAL ARCH OF A PHD PROGRAM…
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Years 1-2:
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Years 3-4:
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Take courses in broad areas of psychology (receive MA).
Begin “apprenticeship” with advisor.
Take courses in specialization.
Work as a research and teaching assistant.
Design and defend dissertation proposal.
Complete doctoral exams.
Complete externship and/or practicum.
Years 4, 5, 6, and maybe 7:
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Conduct dissertation research.
Teach courses.
Present at conferences & publish.
Complete internship
Defend dissertation
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Advisor
(what is their research area/style?)
Student Placements
(do their graduates get good jobs?)
Financial Aid
(how much is available?)
Admission Requirements
(do you need certain courses or experience?)
Accreditation
(is it an APA accredited institution?)
Location
(do you want to live there?)
WHAT THEY ARE CONSIDERING:
Personal Statement
GRE scores
Conferences/Publications
Research Experience
Volunteer Experience
Recommendations
THE PERSONAL STATEMENT
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Tailor each letter to fit the school.
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Do not just change the name of the school, actually
RESEARCH the program.
Demonstrate commitment.
Mention a few faculty members you would like to work
with and why.
Convey the impression that you don’t just want to go
to any graduate school. You want to go to THEIR
school.
THE GRE & SUBJECT EXAM
 Find
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out which schools require which exams.
Most will require GRE.
Some will require the psychology subject exam.
 Can
find free practice materials (www.ets.org).
CONFERENCES & RESEARCH
EXPERIENCE
 Research
based programs (MA, PhD) prefer
students who have some conference or research
experience.
 Research methods and senior comps is very
attractive.
 Can
volunteer with a faculty member to gain more
experience and/or a conference credit.
 Look
in to presenting your work at conferences for
the upcoming year (MPA, APA, SPSP, etc.).
 Can
publish your work in Psi Chi Journal.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
 For
more clinically based programs (MSW, MA
counseling, PsyD, PhD), some volunteer
experience is preferable.
 Work
in the community, school, religious
institution is viewed positively.
 Organizing
and planning events around school, as
well as general campus involvement, a plus.
RECOMMENDATIONS
 Ask
your professors in ADVANCE (at least a
month).
 Meet
with your professors to discuss your
accomplishments and goals.
 Provide
professors with envelopes, forms, and
DEADLINES.
 Okay
to get recommendations from internship or
volunteer supervisors.
ALL THE “LITTLE” THINGS…
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Financial Aid & External Funding
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http://www.apa.org/apags/members/schawrdsintro.html
Resources:
 www.apa.org – info about Psych programs, funding,
careers, and membership.
 www.psichi.org – info about upcoming conferences,
awards and grants, & associations.
 www.socialworkers.org – social work programs and
research, social work publications, licensure issues.
 www.counseling.org – counseling programs, scholarships.
Organization
PREPARING YOUR CV
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CV (curriculum vita) is an academic resume.
Longer, with more details.
Showcase academic information.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Bettina Spencer
323 Spes Unica Hall
phone: 284-4163
email: [email protected]