Making the Most of MS in Clinical Psych

[Le Chat]

I'm starting a MS terminal program in Clinical Psychology this fall. This program leads to licensure as a psychological associate, and an optional license as a professional counselor. 

My ultimate goal is doctoral study in clinical psychology. My undergrad is not in Psychology, and I am going in with no research experience. I want to be as strategic as possible while in the program to plan for future doctoral study.

My options:

-Work as a research assistant

-Opportunity to attend conferences, be published etc...

-Specialize in neuropsychology

-Become counselor as well as psychology associate 

I plan to do clinical work and research after graduating, for awhile before doctoral study. With that in mind, would I benefit me to also be licensed as a counselor if I really want to be a psychologist?  

 

[8BitJourney]

When I interviewed for both cycles I applied for my clinical experience was secondary if it was brought up at all. If it was brought up it was in the context of 'how does this inform your application of research, populations you work with, hypothesis you'd like to test in a masters etc. So while licensure would show that you have the aptitude for graduate level clinical work you really need to have an intensive RA-ship (and a recommendation from this position) along with your masters to sway graduate committees, especially if you'd like to go the neuropsych route. Particularly because many schools, especially the juggernauts, want to train researchers more than clinicians (even if they don't explicitly say that).  

[namarie]

I agree with @8BitJourney. PhD degrees in Psychology are scientist-practitioner focused, so programs are going to be more interested in your ability to churn out research. Clinical experience is going to be their second priority. If you want to incorporate research into your doctoral program, I would look into PsyD programs. Theirs is a practitioner-scholar model, so clinical work is more the 'focus', but you still get to do research. 

[Yep]

I am in a MS Clinical Psychology Program and it is stressed to pump out our independent research and thesis to build our school resume for PHD programs. THat is my Key focus while in my course.