[KylieSpinelli]

Hello all!
As I wrote in my brief introduction in the New Members Forum, I'm trying to decide if I should major in Psychology. I'm current a Sophomore (Liberal Arts Major) at a community college, and I plan to transfer next year to finish my bachelors degree. I really love Psychology, I'm good at it, and I find it fascinating. However, I'm worried about being able to get a job in my field post-graduation. Looking online and talking to people has made me realize that the options for work in-field with psych are extremely limited if you don't get a doctorate, and I can't imagine finishing a degree in this and only being able to work in HR (ick!!). I would love to do clinical work or research in the field, but I would rather not go on for a doctorate, as money is extremely tight, and I plan on not working while I raise my children. I know this sounds silly, but I am just looking for input. What do you think? How long would it take for me to get a Psy D? I'm motivated and can handle a lot of credits at once (as long as they're not ALL online like my full-load is this year! UGH).
Any input would be awesome!
Thanks!
-Kylie

[kim_johnson]

I am from a commonwealth country so the US system is not something I know particularly intimately. That being said, I'm fairly sure that Psy D degrees in the US are largely self funded (like going to law school or medical school), whereas PhD degrees are typically (though not always) scholarship funded. So... The majority of people doing their PhD are on a living stipend and aren't paying their fees... Competition for such places is fierce, though.

I don't think there is a part time option for that. You would need to look into that. Clinical Psychology PhD's (ones that lead to professional practice) might be different from Non-Clinical Psychology PhD's... You would need to look into that...

There are related fields like education and counseling. Maybe something like social work.

On the main menu to the forums page... If you scroll down you will (eventually) see:

'Our Partners' > 'Students in Psychology'

You will find lots of posts about PsyD / PhD programs over there. People with the same question to you etc. Luck.

[TwoRoadsDiverged]

Originally Posted by KylieSpinelli

Hello all!
As I wrote in my brief introduction in the New Members Forum, I'm trying to decide if I should major in Psychology. I'm current a Sophomore (Liberal Arts Major) at a community college, and I plan to transfer next year to finish my bachelors degree. I really love Psychology, I'm good at it, and I find it fascinating. However, I'm worried about being able to get a job in my field post-graduation. Looking online and talking to people has made me realize that the options for work in-field with psych are extremely limited if you don't get a doctorate, and I can't imagine finishing a degree in this and only being able to work in HR (ick!!). I would love to do clinical work or research in the field, but I would rather not go on for a doctorate, as money is extremely tight, and I plan on not working while I raise my children. I know this sounds silly, but I am just looking for input. What do you think? How long would it take for me to get a Psy D? I'm motivated and can handle a lot of credits at once (as long as they're not ALL online like my full-load is this year! UGH).
Any input would be awesome!
Thanks!
-Kylie

i empathize with you on the online learning, I am doing my Bachelor's online and have found it MUCH less bearable. If you are planning to go further in your education than your A.A., you could consider a general studies degree with an emphasis or focus area of psychology. It is hard to fully respond to your question though without knowing more about your situational limitations and your personal ambitions. You state no PhD, but if you are open to getting a Master's degree, you could pursue many possibilities in the psychology-related fields. I am considering a Master's in Counseling.

What I have done is an AA in general studies, a Bachelor's in University Studies (emphasizing Humanities/Soc. Sciences) (I did this because all of my credits counted when I transferred, and I graduate with a Bachelor's Degree MUCH faster than if I was getting a specific degree like psychology, where 1/3 of my credits then would not count), and I plan to get a Master's beyond this.

I hope this helps, let me know if you need further insight or advice. And best of luck to you!!

[FrustratedFiancee]

You are right to be thinking about careers. I am a PhD student so I know what that's like. In Psychology you likely would not have to pay for it directly but would have to work it off by teaching. You should fully expect a PhD to take at least 5 years to complete. If you are not interested in doing a full PhD for 5 or more years after your Bachelors you should look for a different career option. There are tons of Psych BSs looking for jobs and you don't want to be one of them.

[Perna]

PsyD takes 7+ years total and requires a year's supervision/therapy, etc. so does not sound like it will work for you? With a bachelor's you could do work with the developmentally disabled (my daughter-in-law has a private practice) maybe switch to looking at an MSW degree which you could pursue and work at the same time? My best friend from high school was a psychiatric social worker and did counselling/therapy for the State of Georgia. That's only a couple years past a bachelor's.

[dxj5069]

I would really be careful about PsyD programs! Most are not funded, so you'll be in massive debt. Ideally, if you want funding, the PhD is the way to go, but since you're not interested in embarking a research career, you can pursue your MSW or an MFT, become licensed in your state, and start your own practice (or work in a different setting, like a hospital). If you're mainly interested in just practicing, then I recommend going to get your social work degree and becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Plus, there are a lot of state schools that offer affordable MSW programs.