Developing a Master's in Psychology Application

[Sojourner2018]

Hey Grad Cafe,

Hope you all are doing well; I could use your all's advice and knowledge! I recently graduated undergrad with a major in communication and a minor in psychology. However, since being out of school, I've been reflecting on how I want to continue my education specifically in psychology, with my main interests particularly in counseling and clinical psychology. I want to start developing my skills and experiences to best prepare and apply in the Fall of 2019 for Master's programs. I have a couple questions about these:

How should I best approach the fact that I want to continue education in psychology despite not majoring in it? Are there people among gradcafe psychology who decided to commit to higher ed in psychology after not majoring in it? How did that go? 

Would it be worthwhile to spend significant time prepping for the GRE Psychology Subject test as a potential route to alleviate the concern of me not having a major in Psych? Or, would that time be better suited in taking extra courses in psych at a nearby university, or should I do both? IDK! lol

Furthermore, I have received advice that it may a better route for me to apply for master's programs instead of PhD's since they would better develop my research interests and alleviate the difficulty that may be faced (were I to even get in) of being in a PhD program that I didn't major in in undergrad. Should I even consider PhD applications?                                                                                         

Some of the key goals of this year are getting involved in research projects at a nearby university, getting a job specifically getting clinical experience in providing mental health services (applied to several and am hopeful that I will get a job as a psychiatric aide or a counselor aide), taking the GRE at the end of 2019's Summer, potentially taking extra courses as a part time student to further round off my psych background. 

Additionally, if there is any other advice that you all want to contribute, I'd very much welcome it! 

What do you all think? Thanks for reading! I am excited to see what others have to say.

[PsyDuck90]

MA degrees are not as competitive (for the most part) as PhDs. Study for the general GREs, get some research experience if you can, and you should be in pretty good shape, pending that you have a decent undergrad GPA.

If you want a clinical or counseling psych doctorate as your end game, make sure to focus on research. If you just want to practice, also consider mental health counseling and MSW degrees, which grant you a masters level license. 

[PokePsych]

You may also consider amping up your research/lab experience within the area within psych you want to work in, this seems to be pretty important! You can do this with or without a Master's on the side

[Sojourner2018]

20 hours ago, Hk328 said:

MA degrees are not as competitive (for the most part) as PhDs. Study for the general GREs, get some research experience if you can, and you should be in pretty good shape, pending that you have a decent undergrad GPA.

If you want a clinical or counseling psych doctorate as your end game, make sure to focus on research. If you just want to practice, also consider mental health counseling and MSW degrees, which grant you a masters level license. 

Thank you! I'll be sure to focus on research. I'm leaning towards a Clin/Counsel doctorate as a future goal, so I'll definitely focus on getting involved in research and narrowing down particular interests. I'll also keep the MHC and MSW degrees as an option in case my ideas change as I get more involved. I appreciate it

[Sojourner2018]

7 hours ago, Psygeek said:

You may also consider amping up your research/lab experience within the area within psych you want to work in, this seems to be pretty important! You can do this with or without a Master's on the side

Okay, great! Thank you for the insight and response. I appreciate it