Master's in U.K., Ph.D in U.S.?

[EmeraldEmpire]

Hey everyone! I am currently an undergraduate studying Psychology at a very large American state university. I am going to be a senior in Fall 2011 and need to start making decisions about where I want to apply for grad school for Fall 2012. I have my heart set on studying abroad in the U.K. for at least part of my graduate school career. Originally, I wanted to study at a U.K. university for a DClinPsych (somewhat equivalent to a Psy.D) However, after weeks of researching and emailing, I finally figured out that I cannot become a licensed clinical psychologist in the U.K. as I am not a citizen and therefore cannot qualify to be licensed. So, here is my new plan: Go to the U.K. for a Master's in Psychology and then apply to American Ph.D programs to become a therapist. This way, I will spend a year (or two if I decide to go part-time) abroad and then attend an American university for my Ph.D (which will be fully funded since I'm an American citizen) and then see if I want to return to the U.K. or stay in the U.S. From what I understand, it is easier to go abroad with an American Ph.D in my field than it is to come to the U.S. with a foreign degree and have it recognized.

What do you guys think? I would really appreciate any helpful advice you might have!

Thanks so much!

[fingers_toes_X]

Hey everyone! I am currently an undergraduate studying Psychology at a very large American state university. I am going to be a senior in Fall 2011 and need to start making decisions about where I want to apply for grad school for Fall 2012. I have my heart set on studying abroad in the U.K. for at least part of my graduate school career. Originally, I wanted to study at a U.K. university for a DClinPsych (somewhat equivalent to a Psy.D) However, after weeks of researching and emailing, I finally figured out that I cannot become a licensed clinical psychologist in the U.K. as I am not a citizen and therefore cannot qualify to be licensed. So, here is my new plan: Go to the U.K. for a Master's in Psychology and then apply to American Ph.D programs to become a therapist. This way, I will spend a year (or two if I decide to go part-time) abroad and then attend an American university for my Ph.D (which will be fully funded since I'm an American citizen) and then see if I want to return to the U.K. or stay in the U.S. From what I understand, it is easier to go abroad with an American Ph.D in my field than it is to come to the U.S. with a foreign degree and have it recognized.

What do you guys think? I would really appreciate any helpful advice you might have!

Thanks so much!

Hi, I did my undergraduate and master's degree in England - I am not UK national though. Based on my knowledge, master program from top UK universities are mostly general psychology or neuroscience. I am not aware of many good clinical MA/MSc programs, if these are what you want to apply. One place I would recommend is Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College - you should definitely check it out!

I really enjoyed my master's study at Oxford university. But one thing to consider is that good master's programs are generally quite intensive because you have to finish everything in 1 year (my friends doing psychology & neuroscience at UCL had the same feeling). I had the plan of applying for US phds before I started my master, but I did not find any time to study for the GRE and make applications during my study. One of my coursemate did the US phd applications during the term-time, but he had to skip quite a lot of classes. He was quite stressed out with the multi-tasking. But fortunately he got an offer!

I'd say go for it if you could plan your time well

[db2290]

I think there is no problem. As a Brit who has done graduate work in the USA, currently doing a masters in the UK and going back to do a Ph.D in the states next year, I have a few comments. It IS a hassle to revise for the GRE etc whilst studying, but as far as I can see, there is far less workload at UK universities and therefore you might be at an advantage in that respect.

PS - This is a great program, run with UCL and Yale, which might just be the kind of thing you're looking for. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences-faculty/degree-programmes/psychodynamic-developmental-neuroscience/

[olympus123456]

I will be starting my Masters in Bioelectronics in University of Edinburgh this Fall and do PhD in States in 2012. I hope things really work out and I do good in GRE.