Doctoral Programs In Counselling Psychology: Fill & Download for Free

You do not need a masters degree to be admitted into a PhD program or a PsyD program. HOWEVER, admission to these programs is highly competitive meaning that you need very high GRE scores, high GPA as a psychology major for direct entry into a doctoral program and great letters of recommendation. Because of the level of competition, it helps to have research experience as an undergraduate. In the absence of that research experience, many students are indeed going to schools with MS program in psychology and completing a thesis to increase their chances of admission to a doctoral program.

I was a psychology undergrad and looked quite seriously at Clinical Psych programs as an option (I ended up in special education and I'm probably going back soon for a second masters in school counseling and possibly a doctorate in Counseling Psychology).By picking Clinical Psychology you are picking the most competitive of psych options, and one of the most competitive grad school options. Many Ph.D. programs in clinical psych require a psychology major and all require significant undergraduate preparation in psychology for admissions. That is not an insurmountable obstacle however. You can do what my brother did when he decided to go to grad school in psychology and go back for a second bachelors degree in psychology. Since you already have a BA it will likely only take you about 2 years and it will give you all the preparation you will need (be sure to get good grades in the program as a 3.5 or better is required to have any chance for many Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psych). It may also be possible to take a minimum number of undergrad psych classes (usually at least 15 credits) and apply at the masters level and then try to get into a doctorate program.You may want to check into School or Counseling Psychology. At the doctorate level, the three subfields of psychology that can qualify you for a license to practice psychology are Clinical, School and Counseling Psychology. There is a lot of overlap between the preparation and work within these fields. School and Counseling Psych programs may be a little easier to get into than Clinical Psych and you will do most of the same work. Both Counseling Psych and School Psych programs will be more likely to consider work at the masters level as a replacement for your undergrad preparation than would a Clinical Psych program.Another option which will still require you to take some undergrad psych classes first, but you will likely get away with fewer (and lower grades if you aren't a 3.5+ student), is to look into some of the other pathways into mental health work. The majority of psychotherapy in the U.S. is actually done by social workers and MSW programs are quicker (2 years FT, 3 years PT), require less psych background prior to admissions, and usually are easier to get into. Masters degrees in mental health counseling, school counseling, pastorial counseling, drug counseling, art therapy, music therapy, or marriage and family therapy might be good directions for you to look as well depending upon your interests. All of these generally take less undergrad prep in psychology than a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, will allow clinical mental health work (and independent private practice in most states), and can be used to help you get into a Counseling Psychology Ph.D. or Psy.D. program later.You may also want to look into Psy.D. programs in Clinical Psychology if you definitely want to do Clinical Psych. They are easier to get into than Ph.D. programs (though more expensive since many Ph.D. programs give assistantships and fellowships with full or near full funding and Psy.D. programs rarely do) and you would still be a doctorate level psychologist. You would still need to get significant undergrad preparation, but you will be competitive with less than you would need for a Ph.D. program.

Enter a masters or doctoral program in clinical or counseling psychology. A masters in social work would also work. You will attend practica where you can hone your skills.