Graduate School for Psychology and Social Behavior Majors. Presented By: The Peer Academic Advisors

Transcription

1 Graduate School for Psychology and Social Behavior Majors Presented By: The Peer Academic Advisors

2 Questions to consider when deciding to go to graduate school Is graduate school really for me? Do I want to work first? Volunteer? Travel? Gain experience in another field? Do I know what I want to do with the degree I get from graduate school? Do I want to go to a masters program first or straight to a doctoral program? Am I ready to dedicate anywhere between 2-3 years for a masters or 5-7 years for a doctoral degree? How will I pay for graduate school? Do I have the academic and personal qualities to succeed?

3 Graduate School Now or Later? Are you burnt out? Need to prepare? Boost up your application Study for GREs or other admissions tests Do I have the experience? Research experience Experience in the field Work experience Do I know people who can write me good letters of recommendation?

4 How to pick a program Think of your interests What classes were you most attracted to as an undergrad What classes did you excel in What do you see yourself doing as a career What are you passionate about Talk to your professors or others in the field RESEARCH!

5 Psychology Graduate Programs Applied Behavior Analysis Applied Psychology Art Therapy Biopsychology Career Counseling Clinical Psychology Cognitive Science Community Counseling Community Psychology Counseling Psychology Developmental Psychology Educational Psychology Experimental Psychology Family and Consumer Sciences Forensic Psychology Human Development Human Factors Psychology Human Services Marriage and Family Counseling Neurobiology Neuropsychology Neuroscience Organizational Studies Pastoral Counseling Psychoanalysis Psychology-General Psychology-Mental Health Counseling Psychiatry Quantitative Psychology Rehabilitation Counseling School Counseling School Psychology Sex Therapy Social and Personality Psychology Somatic Psychology Sport Psychology Substance Abuse Counseling

6 What Credentials Do I Want? Degrees Ma or MS in counseling psychology, clinical psychology, educational psychology etc. MSW Masters degree is social work or social welfare MSC Masters of Science in Counseling DMFT Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy LPsy Licentiate in Psychology PsyD Doctor of Psychology PhD Doctor of Philosophy Professional License Professional license for masters level mental health providers are issued to graduate degree holders and license them to practice psychotherapy LMFT Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist LCSW Licensed Clinical social Worker CRC Certified Rehabilitation Counselor LMHC Licensed Mental Health Counselor LPC Licensed Professional Counselor

7 PhD vs PsyD Doctorate of Philosophy Scientist-practitioner model or Boulder Model Emphasis on research 11-15% acceptance rate Offer more funding Faculty with research grants hire students, fellowships, assistantships, combinations of tuition payment and stipends, etc. Specific number of years of course work and practice, with dissertation that requires students to devise, conduct, write up, and defend a research study (this accounts for 2 more years for a PhD as compared to PsyD) 5-7 years Doctorate in Psychology Practitioner-scholar model or Vail Model Emphasis on practice (applied work, therapy) 40-41% acceptance rate Does not receive as much funding Students usually take out loans to pay Specific number of years of course work and practice, and dissertation that usually requires student to apply research to a given problem or analyze the research literature 4-7 years

8 Clinical Psychology Largest specialty (very competitive) Focuses on assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders Deal with issues that range from short term crises to more severe chronic conditions Trained to use a variety of approaches aimed at helping individuals, and the strategies used are generally determined by the specialty they work in

9 Counseling Psychology Advise people on how to deal with problems of everyday living, including problems in the home, place of work, or community to help improve their quality of life Work in settings such as university or crisis counseling centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and individual or group practices

10 Social Work Help people cope with and solve issues in their everyday lives Help clients who face a disability, life-threatening disease, inadequate housing, unemployment, or substance abuse Assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse May conduct research, advocate for improved services, or become involved in planning or policy development Many specialize in serving a particular population or working in a specific setting

11 Marriage and Family Therapy Devoted to conducting couples and family therapy Family pattern can influence an individual s health, condition, or problem so it is a big part of the treatment plan Counselors treat: couples in crisis, substance abusers and their families, families facing mental illness etc. Work in a variety of settings such as employee assistant programs, private practice, courts and prisons, community mental health centers, etc.

12 School Psychologist Work with students in early childhood and elementary and secondary schools Collaborate with teachers, parents, and school personnel to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students Address students learning and behavior problems, suggest improvements to classroom management strategies or parenting techniques and evaluate students with disabilities and gifted and talented students to help determine best way to educate them

13 Forensic psychologist Use psychological principles in the legal and criminal justice system to help judges, attorneys, and other legal professionals understand the psychological findings of a particular case Usually designated as an expert witness and typically specialize in one of three areas: family court May offer psychotherapy services, perform child custody evaluations, or investigate reports of child abuse civil court May assess competency, provide second opinions, and provide psychotherapy to crime victims criminal court Conduct evaluations of mental competency, work with child witnesses, and provide assessment of juvenile or adult offenders

14 Educational, vocational, and school counselors Provide individuals and groups with career, personal, social and educational counseling From elementary school to postsecondary education Help students evaluate their abilities, interests, talents, and personalities to develop realistic academic and career goals Use interviews, counseling sessions, interest and aptitude assessment tests, and other methods to evaluate and advise students Operate career information centers and career education programs

15 Useful Resources U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Bls.gov American Psychology Association The Insider s Guide Books Career Center

16 Questions to ask people in the field Why did you choose your particular field? What path did you take to get where you are now? What does a typical day look like for you (in your job)? What were some challenges that you faced? What was the application process like for you? Do you have any tips or advice to make me a more competitive applicant? How is graduate school different from college? What was graduate school like for you?

17 Time line: What to do Freshman and Sophomore years Explore career choices and discuss it with your family and mentors (VISIT THE CAREER CENTER!) Take core psychology courses Get to know faculty members, especially those who have experience in your field of interest Look for research opportunities Join psychology student organizations Find volunteer opportunities Start a career folder and place activities, honors, and other useful information Think of ways to make yourself standout from other applicants so that you can star your plan early

18 What to do your Junior Year Take advanced psychology courses (preferably ones that also fulfill prereqs for grad schools) Begin research with a faculty member and consider doing the Honors Social Ecology Program or UROP Enroll in professional organizations and membership into Psi Chi Begin a curriculum vitae Get deep into your research on graduate schools and select possible programs/schools Continue to build relationships with professors Find leadership positions Meet with your advisor(s) or mentor(s) to talk about your plans for graduate school

19 Application Year June-August Continue to gain research and clinical experience Continue research on programs and narrow choices down to about schools Prepare for GREs If you think you are prepared, try to take it so that if necessary, you can retake it fall Research financial aid opportunities and start saving money for the cost of GREs and applications August-September Download program info and applications or request applications from schools Receive information packets and review them Talk about it with advisors/mentors/faulty Study for GREs Update curriculum vitae Get applications for scholarships

20 Application Year September-October Take GRE Register for GRE Psychology Subject Test (November and December) Complete Graduate school worksheet with deadlines etc. Choose faculty at each school that most interest you and write to them Research area of interest Begin drafts of personal statement and get feedback Finalize who you will ask for letters of recommendation October-November Take GRE Psychology Subject Test Prepare packets for your recommenders (CV, resume, etc.) Request letters of recommendation Review transcript for errors and have registrar send it to schools Gather info on financial aid and loans Finalize personal statement

21 Application Year November-December Finish applications Keep a photocopy of each application for your records Submit applications Verify that all applications and necessary materials were received Request ETS forward your GRE scores to the appropriate school January-March Wait patiently Make sure your letters of recommendation have been sent Complete FAFSA Be prepared for surprise telephone interview Practice and prepare for interviews Go to interviews Develop backup plan if not accepted into programs

22 Application Year April-May If you already receive offers, contact top choices to determine status of your app. Accept or decline offers of admission Finalize financial aid for the next year Send official transcripts including the Spring quarter CELEBRATE if accepted Look to back up plan if not accepted Let people who wrote letters of recommendation know the outcome

23 Questions? Thank You & Good Luck!