M.S. versus waiting & applying to PhD- Psychology

[PsychGirl1]

So I'm trying to make a difficult decision. Basically it looks like right now I have 3 choices:

(1) Relocate to a new city & go to an M.S. program with tuition remission and a small stipend. Has a fairly good reputation, research-based, but no PhD program. Will most likely need to either live at home or take out student loans to support myself, since stipend is quite small.

(2) Relocate to a new city & go to an M.S program with (possibly- still unknown) tuition remission and a decent stipend. Has a good rep, research-based, and a PhD program. I like one of the professors a lot.

(3) Stay in Boston & revamp life (i.e. find new job(s), take classes, volunteer some places, etc.) and apply to PhD programs in 1-2 years.

I have a somewhat strong background but not fantastic- no publications. My GRE scores were very good on writing & analytical, okay on verbal. I currently work as a research coordinator/data manager at a great hospital in Boston. I've also worked as a business analyst. Have also worked as volunteer RAs in college and post-college, some in psych, some in unrelated fields.

My long-term goal is to become a Professor with a heavy focus on research.

Any thoughts or opinions?

[LJK]

If the tuition remission & stipend come through for option 2 I would personally go with that one. An MS at a university that also grants PhDs is likely to be more respected than one from a university that doesn't within academia - the professors of PhD granting programs tend to be more actively involved in the research community and tend to have more university support for research - monetarily but also in lighter class loads. So not only will you have the possibility of finishing your PhD there, but you will also have a better stepping stone to another program should you have refined your interests into an area not represented or simply want to go to a program that is better known for graduating academics (if this school isn't). This is the path I stumbled upon and thus far it has worked for me But regardless, I think all 3 sound like positive steps in the direction of building toward the career you want!

[PsychGirl1]

If the tuition remission & stipend come through for option 2 I would personally go with that one. An MS at a university that also grants PhDs is likely to be more respected than one from a university that doesn't within academia - the professors of PhD granting programs tend to be more actively involved in the research community and tend to have more university support for research - monetarily but also in lighter class loads. So not only will you have the possibility of finishing your PhD there, but you will also have a better stepping stone to another program should you have refined your interests into an area not represented or simply want to go to a program that is better known for graduating academics (if this school isn't). This is the path I stumbled upon and thus far it has worked for me But regardless, I think all 3 sound like positive steps in the direction of building toward the career you want!

Thanks!