Switching to Psych w/o No Psych Background

[cy213]

Hi everyone,

 

I recently had an epiphany about wanting to switch my career to psychology, specifically developmental and/or social psychology. I am interested in obtaining a PhD in Psychology because I mainly want to teach and do research. However, I have a B.S. in Mathematics-Economics, so I have absolutely ZERO background in psychology. I don't know if I should get a 2nd bachelor's degree, do a post bacc, get a master's, or study psychology on my own somehow and jump straight to getting a PhD even though I have no knowledge in psychology. Also, I am already in debt from my undergrad, so I really, really would prefer it if I can avoid getting a 2nd bachelor's as much as possible since it would be a lot harder to get financial aid (grants and scholarships). 

 

I would just really like some feedback on what I should do, because I am honestly very lost right now.

 

Thanks all.

[lewin]

Your big hurdles will be convincing a graduate program that (1) you're actually interested in psychology and can maintain that interest long term (2) you actually know what a PhD in psychology entails and, (3) you have the background knowledge in psychology that's needed to succeed at the graduate level.

 

I suggest finding a lab in which to volunteer/work for a year. That firsthand exposure would help demonstrate 1 and 2, and also help YOU to determine whether you're actually interested in psychology or just think you're interested in it. Demonstrating prerequisite background knowledge is harder, though you could always hope for an advisor who cares less about this. You could also try taking the psychology subject GRE; you'd need an awesome score to show you know your stuff.

 

Here's an analogy that might illustrate what you're facing: I like balancing my chequebook and tracking my investments. It feels really good to make all the numbers reconcile and add up. Your degree is in math--would what I've said give me the background to succeed in a graduate level master's program in math? That is, to tackle material that's harder than what you ended your degree on? I doubt it. Psychology is the same way; you can't just jump right in. I empathize because sometimes I think I should have gone into accounting instead but, realistically speaking, I have no idea what accounting all entails because I have no experience whatsoever there (except for the aforementioned chequebook).

 

Or, one possibility is to look at social psych programs with an emphasis in behavioural economics, if that's an area of interest. Then your degree might be an advantage.

[Lisa44201]

You may need to take some Psych courses, as many programs require some basic coursework, i.e., Intro, Research Methods, Abnormal, Cognitive, and Social. Master's programs may not have as many prerequisites (although I am sure most of them do), and a Master's degree with a Thesis component will give you the opportunity to do some research.

[Applemiu]

Some Masters in General psychology or Social Psychology are funded.

[Angua]

I really don't think additional coursework would be useful or necessary for you at this stage.  I would strongly advise you to instead look for a research position in a psychology lab.  Your math/econ background will interest some labs (though some will want you to have had a psych background). You should also look for research positions at business schools -- some top schools have robust behavioral programs that will let you get experimental psych research experience as well.  Plus, a business school will be more used to econ majors. 

 

The research experience does at least two things for you. For one, it will give you a chance to really see what kind of research psychologists do and to see whether you like it enough to devote yourself to a psych PhD.  Second, it will give you the experience that PhD programs are looking for on your application.  As a bonus, you will have a much better shot at convincing programs that you want a psych PhD and know what it entails (because you will know!).

 

Good luck!

[juilletmercredi]

I think that additional coursework is definitely useful, and will likely be necessary if you want to attend competitive top programs.  Graduate programs are designed to build upon undergraduate knowledge, and by your own admission have no background in psychology.  I think your math background will add a dimension of desirability to your application - especially if you are interested in quantitative psychology or a very heavily quantitative subfield/area of interest - but you are still, at minimum, going to need general psychology, research methods, and statistics (if you have already taken this in the math department you are fine).  Most professors would like to see at least 1-2 other disciplinary classes, like developmental psych or social psych.  You need to have a foundation upon which to build.

 

I think you can do them both at the same time.  You can try to get a position in a psychology lab.  Then, while you do that, you can take some classes as a non-degree student at a local public university.