Good or bad idea for Clinical Psych PhD plan...

[missmusical]

I need more research experience to have even a shot of getting in to competitive Clinical Psych PhD programs. I recently added psych to my double degree program (now pursuing BA in psych and a BM in french horn performance) which is why I am behind on extra psych credentials (i.e research experience and community service). Instead of a gap year (I graduate next year), I was thinking of getting the masters of music education at the school I currently attend. While there, I could probably also get a lot of research experience in the psychology labs at my college while working on my music ed masters (This degree would also give me more career options should clinical psychology not work out). Would it look bad on my PhD applications if I get an unrelated masters degree before applying? I can probably get a lot of scholarship for the music Ed program so for now lets factor the extra costs out of the equation

[_kita]

I need more research experience to have even a shot of getting in to competitive Clinical Psych PhD programs. I recently added psych to my double degree program (now pursuing BA in psych and a BM in french horn performance) which is why I am behind on extra psych credentials (i.e research experience and community service). Instead of a gap year (I graduate next year), I was thinking of getting the masters of music education at the school I currently attend. While there, I could probably also get a lot of research experience in the psychology labs at my college while working on my music ed masters (This degree would also give me more career options should clinical psychology not work out). Would it look bad on my PhD applications if I get an unrelated masters degree before applying? I can probably get a lot of scholarship for the music Ed program so for now lets factor the extra costs out of the equation

 

I have a suggestion for you, if you want to get a masters first, why not pursue a music therapist masters degree? You would still be in academia, and be able to conduct research; however, instead of moving out of the career field for research, you may be able to merge the two. Your application would have more flow and professional consistency.  If this idea is appealing, you can find out more about it here: http://www.musictherapy.org/

[missmusical]

I have a suggestion for you, if you want to get a masters first, why not pursue a music therapist masters degree? You would still be in academia, and be able to conduct research; however, instead of moving out of the career field for research, you may be able to merge the two. Your application would have more flow and professional consistency.  If this idea is appealing, you can find out more about it here: http://www.musictherapy.org/

would it still be plausible to pursue a PhD in clinical afterwards?

[missmusical]

I have a suggestion for you, if you want to get a masters first, why not pursue a music therapist masters degree? You would still be in academia, and be able to conduct research; however, instead of moving out of the career field for research, you may be able to merge the two. Your application would have more flow and professional consistency.  If this idea is appealing, you can find out more about it here: http://www.musictherapy.org/

another issue is that I don't play piano or guitar and both are necessary to audition into a music therapy masters program

[_kita]

another issue is that I don't play piano or guitar and both are necessary to audition into a music therapy masters program

Well nevermind that suggestion then!

 

You can technically pursue a clinical PhD from any degree. However, if you're showing a budding interest in psychology, that continues in each subsequent program, alongside research and professional development, you have a stronger application. However, if you go for a different degree choice (Ed), and then doubleback around, the admissions committee might see the choices as confusing and unfocused.

[bsharpe269]

Well nevermind that suggestion then!

 

You can technically pursue a clinical PhD from any degree. However, if you're showing a budding interest in psychology, that continues in each subsequent program, alongside research and professional development, you have a stronger application. However, if you go for a different degree choice (Ed), and then doubleback around, the admissions committee might see the choices as confusing and unfocused.

 

I agree. I wouldn't keep getting degrees without a very clear career goal in mind. You already have way more music coursework then you need for psych grad school so the masters will not improve your application much. On the other hand, you lack research so full time research will improve your application a ton. If you want a PhD in psych then I would think that you would be excited to do research full time anyway. You would get a preview of what the next 5+ years of your life will entail.

 

Also, throughout the masters you probably wont have as much time to do psych research as you think. Your degree will be demanding without research in a different field. I also think that psych admissions committees would think that you didn't have a clear goal so you were just trying to stay in school.

[missmusical]

I agree. I wouldn't keep getting degrees without a very clear career goal in mind. You already have way more music coursework then you need for psych grad school so the masters will not improve your application much. On the other hand, you lack research so full time research will improve your application a ton. If you want a PhD in psych then I would think that you would be excited to do research full time anyway. You would get a preview of what the next 5+ years of your life will entail.

 

Also, throughout the masters you probably wont have as much time to do psych research as you think. Your degree will be demanding without research in a different field. I also think that psych admissions committees would think that you didn't have a clear goal so you were just trying to stay in school.

I have a clear goal. But I guess being in school for the sake of being in school and maintaining my pride is a bit of a waste. I admit the thought of being home while all of my friends go off to grad school is humiliating. But I should swallow my pride. Delayed the gratification. I'm a psych major; i should know better

Edited June 3, 2015 by missmusical

[missmusical]

I only have about a year of research experience. I probably need more anyways

[bsharpe269]

I have a clear goal. But I guess being in school for the sake of being in school is a bit of a waste

Sorry, I didn't mean that you didn't have a goal. I meant that if you get a masters then it should be an important step in achieving your goal. I didn't phrase that well though.

I get where you are coming from... I think that most academics really enjoy learning and being in school. Loving learning and education like we do, it is easy to stay in school just for the sake of doing so. Keep in mind though that you will learn just as much (way more actually) in full time research. It is really fun and given your interests and your desire to go to grad school, You'll probably really enjoy it. You'll also get paid for full time work which is great! If you have a dream school where you would like do your PhD then you could apply for positions in research groups there and use the year off as a way to get to know the profs who will make admission decisions! Alternatively, you could do your gap year at a school other than you want go to for your PhD, which will enable you to really spread your network in the field. You would position yourself really well in the field with that sort of experience since you will have worked with professors at 3 different institutions. I wouldn't view the year off as a set back, where you will be sitting around bored, waiting to apply. I would do something really cool with it and put yourself in a position where you are moving up in your chosen field.

If you decide that you really want to keep taking classes during your year off then you could always take a grad level psych class a semester as a non degree student. That could be a reasonable way to let you keep taking classes while also moving towards your career goal.

[bsharpe269]

Just saw what you added about finding it humiliating to stay home ... No one said you have to stay home! Go do your year off in a research lab at an ivy league if you'd like.

[missmusical]

Just saw what you added about finding it humiliating to stay home ... No one said you have to stay home! Go do your year off in a research lab at an ivy league if you'd like.

I will definitely go off and do research at a university. what i meant is that it would feel embarrassing to not have a grad school decision when all my friends do. but I admit that is a silly thought