Master's Program with TERRIBLE GPA

[k123]

I am about to enter my senior year in undergrad with a cumulative GPA of slightly above a 2.0.

I will spare you the details, but I basically spent my first three years as a pre-med student, ended up with a bunch of mediocre grades in classes that I do not need, before finally admitting that medical school is not for me. Also due to some health issues last year, my GPA for the spring was literally a 0.4 something, which is significantly affecting my overall GPA.

 

I have already tried and been unable to receive a retroactive withdrawal for that semester so I am stuck with those grades. My goal is to get my masters in clinical psychology and then obtain my BCBA certification. I am aware that where my current GPA stands, it is completely impossible to get into a masters program.

 

Here is a little about my experience:

 

I have so far 1 and a half year experience as an ABA Behavior Line Therapist (on going), I was the president of a club dedicated to end human trafficking, and I am a licensed EMT.

I plan to take at least a year off of school after I graduate in order to better prepare myself for graduate school. My questions are, what are my options? I am only 20 years old and I hate to imagine that my very low undergraduate GPA will halt me from achieving my dreams for the rest of my life. What can I do to get into a masters program?

Even if I obtain a 4.0 my last semester of school, my GPA will only rise to about a 2.4/2.5 area. This is still not nearly enough.

 

Should I take more advanced classes after undergrad in order to boost my undergrad GPA? This will be very difficult to do I’m aware. Do some master's programs have a grade replacement policy, where if I retake failed courses it will replace the original grade? Can my undergrad GPA even be changed after I graduate?

 

Should I take graduate-level courses in order to prove that I can succeed in classes at that level? Should I enter an online Master’s program before getting my BCBA and possibly go on to receive a PhD. Or are online programs completely unacceptable for further schooling?

 

Should I completely give up on my dreams and accept that my failure of 3 years of undergrad will cause me to have dead-end jobs for the rest of my life?

 

I understand I can definitely not go directly into grad school after undergrad, and I am willing to take as much time off as possible in order to achieve my goals. I could really use some advice. Thanks.

[Anxiousapplicant01]

Some schools have "Continuing Studies" programs that might allow you to take more classes and build on what you have done, and maybe build toward getting a second degree. If you were to do that at a new school, your GPA would be entirely new and you wouldn't have to completely start your degree over, but you could still take the advanced classes you are taking about for a GPA you could put towards a grad app. It might take a couple of years. I know people who had degrees who did this, got a second degree in psychology (not sure what the first was in), and then got into graduate programs. It won't erase what has happened, but that may be a way to show that you are serious about showing how you've improved. And usually these programs are designed for people who work as well, so you could work and save some money for grad school at the same time. Just an option to consider...I hadn't heard of this type of program until I realized that my undergrads institution had one. I'm sure there are plenty of ways to make your dream happen with a few years of work. 

[The_Old_Wise_One]

I second what the commenter above stated. Your best best is to wipe the grades clean with a new degree... As unfortunate as that is.