A career in psychology – whether in research or direct client services – usually requires a graduate degree. That is another reason why students should choose their schools and advisors carefully. Many students, however, are in no rush to leave. Grad school is very different from college. Be sure that you find the advisor’s research interesting and exciting because you’ll be doing it for four to six years. These competing demands sometimes create strains even among clinical faculty, who are often divided between those who emphasize clinical training and those who emphasize research. The great thing about a bachelor's degree in psychology is that it provides preparation for graduate study in many different areas. When you’re ready to apply to graduate school, you’ll need to take the Graduate Record Exam or GRE. Graduate school is less structured than college. Don’t forego graduate school if research isn’t for you. It requires independent thinking and the initiative to figure things out on your own. This helpful list of do’s and don’ts will help you as you select a school, a course of study and complete your application package. Interview: Denise Daniels, Ph.D., Director Masters' Programs, Palo Alto University, M.S. The general GRE is offered throughout the year, but you should sign up early to ensure a spot at your preferred testing site. Admissions committees are much more likely to believe praise about you if the letter writer knew the applicant wouldn’t see the recommendation. We are an open forum for articles, manuscripts, unpublished thesis, and letters as well as a guide for job, in Psychology with multiple specializations, Online Bachelor's and Master's in Psychology. For some graduate programs, including clinical PH.D. programs, you’ll also have to take the Psychology GRE. ©2020 https://mastersinpsychologyguide.com All Rights Reserved. The dissertation is usually a much larger project, and is supposed to be primarily the student's idea. Don’t write a damaging personal statement. You’ll become immersed in his or her lab so finding the right match is often more important than overall program’s characteristics or reputation. Course work is typically complete by the end of the third year of graduate school. There are classes on such topics as statistics, psychopathology, psychotherapy, and research methods. Graduate school in clinical psychology consists of three broad activities: class work, clinical work, and research. Course work is typically complete by the end of the third year of graduate school. Typically, internships pay relatively low salaries (less than $20,000). An admissions committee will quickly see if you’re not familiar with the program to which you’ve applied. Use this to assess where your scores are in relation to students who were accepted. All your scores will be sent to your schools of interest so it’s to your advantage to take the GRE more than once if you don’t score well the first time. Most clinical psychology programs require at least two research projects: a master’s thesis and a dissertation. Indeed, it is more common for such programs to require 5 years, and some students take more than 6 years (including an internship year) to obtain their PhD. Do consider what you want to do professionally. Don’t assume a highly ranked grad school is the best fit for you. It will be up to you, with a little guidance, to carve out an area of research and find a thesis or dissertation topic. Rather, ask them to write a strong letter of recommendation that highlights your positive personal and academic characteristics. Graduate school is a much different experience from undergraduate school both in terms of the application process and the actual academic work. Depending on what you want to do professionally, you will decide to pursue either a master’s level degree or a doctoral degree. Disorganized thoughts and unclear ideas will make the admissions committee question if you’re an appropriate candidate for grad school. They may help students pursue career paths related to the human mind and behavior. Choosing a graduate school and applying to the program can be stressful and confusing. In addition, those in PhD programs are frequently engaged in teaching undergraduates students, either as teaching assistants for regular faculty members or on their own. Plus, many top-tier psychology graduate program require experience in a lab setting. Grad school is less like college and more like a full-time job. Psychology graduate programs include coursework, research, and sometimes clinical experience in psychology. In grad school, your professors will become your colleagues. Trying to impress or flatter the admissions committee with insincere praise or inappropriate name dropping won’t win you any favors. It’s usually offers in April and November. It is difficult to balance the competing demands of three major activities—research, coursework, and clinical training. These programs are housed outside the department of psychology at most collegtes and universities. What is a Psychology Graduate Program? and timely, but we make no guarantees about the information, the selection of schools, school accreditation status, the availability Practicum sites may range from a student counseling center to a forensic unit at a state hospital (i.e., a facility for treating mentally ill criminals). Also, don’t attempt humor or wit in your personal statement. Make sure your personal statement makes it clear that the school’s program meshes with your career aspirations. of or eligibility for financial aid, employment opportunities or education or salary outcomes. All American Psychology Association-accredited psychology Ph.D. programs publish their students’ average scores and GPAs online. A psychology lab or related organization will not only help you gain experience, but will also refine your professional interests and clarify what you want to study in grad school. Additionally, if you apply while you’re still an undergrad, your academic advisors, professors and peers can help you identity and select grad schools and write personal statements which are required in the process. Federal law says you have the right to see the letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf, but most students waive their right to see them. And if you’re in a clinical or counseling Ph.D. program or a Psy.D. A PsyD program is another doctoral option but doesn’t include the research aspect of training. Do sign the waiver on the recommendation form. ... Graduate school in psychology is an interesting mixture of advanced classes and collaborative and independent research projects. Don’t ask potential authors to simply write a letter of recommendation. Seek a job where you can gain additional research experience. Letters should come from people who know you well and can speak to your work ethic, intelligence, motivation and character. While most are understanding if something unforeseen occurs, don’t wait until the last minute to request your scores be sent. Plus, if you’re not a full-time student, you might not be able to defer student loan payments. In addition, students (particularly students in a clinical psychology program that is accredited by the American Psychological Association, APA) must do a yearlong internship, typically during or following completion of the dissertation. Successful Graduate Students are Autonomous . Some students find it beneficial to take a break between undergraduate and graduate school. Students must apply for internships during the fall of the preceding year, and most internships begin during the summer or the following fall. Do get effective letters of recommendation.