PsyD, PhD, & MSW Grad School Selection for California

[BackNSchool83]

Hello, My name is Greg and I'm currently an undergrad at UC Irvine working towards a BA in Psychology and Social Behavior. I'm an older student, 33 years old and am taking my life in a new direction, inspired by numerous things to do so including that I'm a recovering alcoholic. I'm also going to school at a community college that I transferred from working on a second AA in an Alcohol and Drug Studies program so that I can work as a counselor part time while going to school, and to gain experience. Mental health and substance abuse are the areas that most interest me and I wish to devote a good portion of my work in the future in those arenas. So that's a little about me and where I am at now, and I could really use some advice, and just some input on my options for the future and how to best be prepared for it.

I'm looking at schools in the Los Angeles/Orange County area where I can pursue a graduate degree, and hopefully for as low a cost as possible. I'm having a hard time settling on what go for in grad school be it a MSW, a PsyD or maybe a PhD. I have no interest in teaching, and I don't have much experience with research yet but it doesn't sound like something I want to spend any more time doing than I need to. I will of course research and participate in continuing my education in the future as is needed or for personal interest, but I don't want a career based around it. The only reason I'm considering a PhD is that UCs are great schools and lower in cost, offer assistance and sometimes a stipend. A PsyD is probably more down my alley, but the only schools that offer those degrees are private and tend to be very costly. Psychology as a subject to study overall has been soo interesting and I love the subject matter, and learning about how to conduct therapy based on various theories and methods is very intriguing to me. So my concern is that I may miss out on some of this if I go for the MSW.

The MSW is offered at more schools that are low cost, like UCs and CSUs, however it's a slightly different set of skills from what I understand. What I like about the MSW is flexibility in what I can do with it, and that I could work in private practice or a clinical setting as soon as I'm licensed or in California what is known as an LCSW. Originally I was looking at LMFT because I had worked with them at a treatment center I worked at, I really liked the work they did, however I understand that LCSWs are hired for the same thing as being a therapist for clients. I have no interest in working with couples, it's not why I'm doing all this and it just doesn't really illicit a sense of purpose for me. So, I like the MSW option, the flexibility, possibly lower cost, and slightly higher incomes that are reported with that degree.

About incomes, this isn't all about money for me at all, however since I'm an older person who is basically just starting working where I'm earning any kind of substantial income for the first time in his life, I wont have as much time to accrue retirement savings etc that I would have had if I had gotten sober at say 22 years old. So I know that as a licensed psychologist I could make a pretty substantial income in my area of California, and this would put me back into the focus of my education being in psychology.

I'm wondering how hard it is to get into a public grad school in my area for a clinical psychology PsyD or PhD, just what is really expected? It's one thing what they put on the website for requirements, it's another what a competitive applicant who gets accepted has going on. Same for the MSW programs, I need to know what I should be doing to be an optimal applicant for these schools so that I can get in. I'd like to be prepared so that I could apply to at least PsyD and MSW programs so that I have as many options at the end as possible.

Are there any private grad schools I should be looking at that you recommend which are affordable for PsyD programs ? I've got my eye on a few including Alliant

What do you guys know about the MSW programs at UCLA, CSULB, CSUF, CSULA or PhD programs in clinical psychology at UCLA, UCR, or maybe schools I have not mentioned ?

What do you think you would pursue, the MSW or the PsyD, would you go for a PhD ? I know this one really is up to the individual and we are all different, but just want your opinions on the career outlook and just your thoughts in general about what you consider the best option.

 

Thank you !

 

[Anxiousapplicant01]

Honestly, I do not know much about California but can try to give you some feedback based on what you said. 

For your goals, it doesn't sound like you really need a PhD or psyd, so you could get your degree in a lot less time and start working with an MSW. also, psyd programs at school like Alliant are going to cost a ton and. Degrees from degree mills like Alliant are not really going to carry any sort of prestige (if you are ever going to be doing anything besides clinical practice) and likely won't be substantially more valuable than a far cheaper MSW from a school like UCLA or USC. And if you are interested in long term learning opportunities in psychology, all licensed mental health professionals have to continue learning so the learning doesn't stop at the end of the MSW program.   Phd programs in general, but especially at any UC, are very competitive in clinical psych and if you don't have research aspirations than you likely won't be admitted or be happy in a phd program. For clinical, if you don't need a doctorate to accomplish your goals, the application process alone is probably not worth the headache. I would say MSW would be your best bet, and your might not even have to take the GRE so that's an added bonus. 

[BackNSchool83]

Thanks a ton for sharing your insight. I'm looking for MSW programs with a more clinical track and have only found like 2. Can someone get an MSW in community mental health and become an LCSW?