Intro and question regarding research and volunteer work in field

[gatorgrad]

Hello! I'm a new member here, obviously.

I'm currently pursuing a second BA, in psychology. My first is in Gender and Sexualities Studies from the University of Florida. I plan on applying to MA programs in Clinical Psych, as well as LMFT and LMHC programs for both the Spring 2014 and Fall 2014 cycle, as I will be done with my second BA in December 2013.

During my entire college career, I have worked at least part time in addition to being a more than full time student (typically 15-18 credits/semester). I have a working GPA (first uGrad GPA was 3.14, current Psych cum GPA is 3.76 - they don't combine them until I apply so I know I have to increase my GPA more right now).

My questions is about volunteer and research experience. One of the programs I am very interested in, Widener's M.Ed in Human Sexuality requires applicants to have experience in the field of human sexuality. Now, I have taken classes in it galore, having a degree in it, but I've never been able to find volunteer work or paid work in the field, because of my part time availability with school. I apply to jobs all over. I try to find volunteer opportunities everywhere I can, but there doesn't seem to be much in my area.

Does anyone have any opinions on what my options could be? I live in South Florida, but I'm about 40 minutes from Fort Lauderdale, and about 1.5-2 hours away from Metro Miami where opportunities may present themselves in any sort of decent way.

I've done the research on the programs I'm interested. Widener's program is the only one that seems to absolutely require experience, and I believe that my two degrees will suffice for the other programs. I also have taken the GRE already, but will be taking the new exam in February or March, since I'm studying over winter break.

Thank you!

[firstsight]

I'd contact the grad coordinator and ask them directly what would be considered "experience" (ie, what previously admitted students did to fulfill that requirement).

[firstsight]

Belatedly: I would do that and then look for the closest analogues to those experiences. Could be that they would be okay with something like an independent piece of work -- one of the dependent measures for my honors thesis, for instance, is physical attraction. Is that close enough to the field of human sexuality? I obviously don't know, but they would! Most professors are fine with overseeing a DIS as long as you come to them with a good idea of what you want to do.

I also have worked 40-50 hours a week throughout the last two years to support my family, so I completely get the hardship element of how stressful it can be to balance! But a self-directed credit may be the best thing available to you-- if independent/overseen work counts as experience!

[gatorgrad]

Belatedly: I would do that and then look for the closest analogues to those experiences. Could be that they would be okay with something like an independent piece of work -- one of the dependent measures for my honors thesis, for instance, is physical attraction. Is that close enough to the field of human sexuality? I obviously don't know, but they would! Most professors are fine with overseeing a DIS as long as you come to them with a good idea of what you want to do. I also have worked 40-50 hours a week throughout the last two years to support my family, so I completely get the hardship element of how stressful it can be to balance! But a self-directed credit may be the best thing available to you-- if independent/overseen work counts as experience!

The problem is that at my current school, none of the professors have research interests even remotely close to my interest areas. I've spoken to my advisor, and the only option would be to do an unsupervised honors thesis, which is useless if it isn't going to be defended.