<p>Okay, so right now my plan is to go to community college for a year, then transfer to NYU. At community college, I'm going to major in music and take classes in psychology. Then, when I transfer to NYU, I'll major in music (CAS non-audition music major) and psychology. So, I'll have a bachelors in music and psychology. After that, I'll go to grad school and get my masters in education and psychology. </p>
<p>So, just to clear this up a little, psychology will be my main career so I can pay off debts and stuff like that. I'll teach privately on the side, and hopefully get to teach some evening classes at the community college I'll be going to (I have family in high places at the college, and I've already met and am on great terms with some of the deans, etc.).</p>
<p>I would like to eventually teach in a high school.</p>
<p>Does this sound like a feasible plan or am I just being stupid? I've had some people tell me that if I want to teach music I should not go to NYU and that my plan is ridiculous. On the other hand, some people have said that it's a great plan and I should stick to it.</p>
<p>I don't know what to do!</p>
<p>i like your plan! music and psychology are a great mix! and who knows what career path you’'ll end up in after a few years of school.</p>
<p>your plan sounds great except for the NYU part.</p>
<p>NYU is a LOT of money. If you’re looking for a non-audition music major, and you aren’t looking to go into performance, NYU is not worth it, esp. since their FA is so terrible.</p>
<p>What kid of music? Voice, instrumental? What is your history in performance? </p>
<p>If you intend to transfer make sure the program you are in has an agreement with NYU for transfer credits. Most music schools do not accept music major class transfers. You are adding the complication of a double degree. A performance degree requires a significant number of credits and a double may be difficult if you are not ready to go longer. Have you talked to NYU departments about your plan? They are the only ones that can guide you. </p>
<p>If you really want to teach in HS then you should be exploring the music education departments. What part of psychology do you think will pay the bills? My understanding of psychology is that it would require advanced degrees if you want employment in that field. You may have a better chance of being employed if you go to a good music ed program.</p>
<p>Until you indicate what kind of music, it is hard to give feedback regarding the lessons on the side. Voice is complicated and should not be done by those who have not studied teaching voice. But I have known university students teaching beginning instrumentalists doing a fine job of it. </p>
<p>The bottom line is you really need to talk to NYU about your plans.</p>
<p>What happened to Fredonia ?</p>
<p>What is it you think you will teach with a Bachelors or Master’s degree in psychology. Friends in high places do not do you much good if you are not the most qualified person for the job. Knowing the deans at the school is nice socially, but it is not advantageous professionally. Nothing annoys the faculty nearly as much as political pressure about hiring and grades. If you are interested in teaching psychology, you will probably need research experience, and advanced graduate work. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>I know NYU is a lot of money, but it is my dream school. I’m hoping the psychologist job will be able to cover the debt.</p>
<p>Singersmom07 - I’m not going to major in performance. As an undergrad, I’m going to major in general music. Not education or performance. And yes, my instrument is voice. I’m just afraid of auditioning for NYU’s music ed program and not getting in, since I’m still a little new to the world of voice. I’ve only been singing for four years and been taking lessons for around a year. I feel like majoring in general music and having a few more years of preparation before I audition into a master’s music ed program will be a good move. </p>
<p>sagiter - Yes, I’m supposed to be going to Fredonia, but I just don’t think I could deal with being twelve hours away from home. I know it sounds stupid, but I had a hard time being eight hours away on a school trip. NYU is only a 2-hour train ride from my house. </p>
<p>lorelei2702 - I’m not going to teach psychology. That was bad wording on my part. I’ll be teaching music on the side of my psychologist job.</p>
<p>given that you’ll probably need a post-graduate degree, I really think that NYU is not financially feasible. There have been many people on CC talking about NYU as their dream school, but who could simply not handle it financially (whether they believed it or not). </p>
<p>Ex: someone with a 0 EFC who was expected to take out 30k+ in loans per year. </p>
<p>I’m very sorry to say this, but NYU is one of the worst dream schools someone needing FA could have :-(.</p>
<p>riku92mr, with an MA in education and psychology, you might be qualified for a job as a school counselor. Or you could get accredited as a classroom teacher. However, neither of these jobs is terribly lucrative, and teaching as an adjunct at a community college pays peanuts. So try not to get deeply into debt, especially since your master’s degree will most likely cost you money as well. </p>
<p>Psychiatrists and clinical psychologists make more money than school counselors but have longer and more elaborate postgraduate training.</p>
<p>Riku:</p>
<p>Your plan has merit, but as others are pointing out, you need to research your fields of interest a bit more to learn what the professional requirements are.</p>
<p>To practice as a psychologist–either in a private practice or in a clinical setting–you will need a Ph.D. in psychology. The only degree at a master’s level in the field of psychology that allows you to practice professionally is the Master’s of Social Work (MSW). Since you mention that you hope to support yourself as a psychologist, you need to be aware that social workers do not earn a great deal of money. If your desire is to be a psychologist, you will need to revise your plan to include a minimum of 6-7 years for the Ph.D. after your M.A.</p>
<p>A similar issue applies to teaching in a community college. Most professors, even at community college level, have a Ph.D. in their field of expertise. Fields where this would not necessarily be the case might be business where the MBA (Master’s of Business Administration) is the final desirable degree, or music and fine arts, where the MFA or MM are probably sufficient qualifications for a community college job. Are you aware, however, that teaching at a community college does not remunerate very well? Often faculty are paid by the course (about $2,000-$3,000 per course).</p>
<p>Finally, teaching music requires that you have sufficient proficiency on your instrument(s). It is possible to be hired here and there to teach music at a beginner’s level, but once your students have reached your level of competence, they will have to move on. In order to build a truly lucrative studio you will be competing with quite a few graduates of conservatories, or those who have a music ed. degree, or are orchestra musicians with a studio on the side, or even college professors of music with a studio on the side.</p>
<p>Is there a good guidance who would have time to talk with you at your school? I think you have the beginnings of a good strategy, but need to collect more information.</p>
<p>If you yourself are a beginning voice student, do not count on teaching voice privately on the side or at a CC. People who teach voice are usually experienced singers themselves and have studied the science of teaching voice, usually with a masters degree. Those that have not studied do more harm than good. Teaching privately or through a CC is not the same as teaching in HS. Teaching HS requires education certification. </p>
<p>Again any plan should, be discussed thoroughly with NYU or anything you do may be a waste for transfer. You have mentioned 3 different and distinct career paths and each requires significant dedication to their own area of study. Perhaps you can use CC time to sort out what you really want to do and pursue that, but I am afraid you will still have to go at least 4 years after CC if you do not focus. </p>
<p>BTW - becoming a practicing psychologist takes at least a phd degree. I do not understand the time lines you are anticipating with these different degrees. Teaching voice properly requires a masters degree, a practicing psychologist requires a phd degree and a HS teacher requires teaching certification. I do not think you are being realistic if you believe you will practice psychology, teach voice on the side and get HS certification to teach music. </p>
<p>The summer before leaving home can be a stressful time. Have you already told Fredonia you are not going? The distance is only drive time, there are other ways to travel. Perhaps you can defer a year there while going to CC. Another year may help you separate from home a little easier. . Talk to them about that.</p>
<p>cross posted with stringkeymom who had better degree info.</p>
<p>Stingkeymom wrote:
“To practice as a psychologist–either in a private practice or in a clinical setting–you will need a Ph.D. in psychology. The only degree at a master’s level in the field of psychology that allows you to practice professionally is the Master’s of Social Work (MSW). Since you mention that you hope to support yourself as a psychologist, you need to be aware that social workers do not earn a great deal of money. If your desire is to be a psychologist, you will need to revise your plan to include a minimum of 6-7 years for the Ph.D. after your M.A.”</p>
<p>Actually, if your plan is to be a therapist, it is not a bad idea to get an MSW, which is faster and easier than getting a PhD in clinical psych. Also-- clinical psych grad school is extremely competitive. It’s true that as a profession overall social workers are not well compensated, but it is possible to make a decent living with and MSW.</p>
<p>Your plan for starting off in CC is something that shrewd students sometimes do-- a true money-saver. But NYU is quite expensive, as noted above, and would more than cancel out the savings of transferring CC credits. Is there another school closer to home that you might enjoy besides NYU?</p>
<p>See, the whole problem is my parents. They do not want me to go to school to become a teacher. They think I won’t make enough money and I’ll struggle through life with bills. My dad does not know I even intend to major in music - he thinks I’m going for psychology. He’s going to pay for my CC days, so I really cannot tell him I’m majoring in music, or he won’t pay. What I really want to do is teach music. That’s my dream job. However, as I explained, my parents are an obstacle.</p>
<p>As for Fredonia, I’m afraid if I go to Fredonia, I won’t have enough private training to be able to get into the music program when I audition this upcoming semester at some point. Also, it’s extremely far away and I’m not sure I’m too comfortable with that. But I really don’t know schools around where I live that are credible in their music ed programs besides NYU. The next two I think of are Fredonia and Crane, and there’s no way I’m going up to Crane. </p>
<p>I was hoping that since the CC I’m going to has a connection with NYU (some program NYU has with CCs… I have the brochure around here somewhere…) I would be able to get more FA than the average person.</p>
<p>NYU is a great school, and i don’t blame you for wanting to go there.
As someone who is probably close in age with you, i have been interested in pysch as well. However, when i researched it i found that actually getting yourself a career in that field is much, much, much more difficult than something in teaching…even with state budget cuts. </p>
<p>Have you considered going to a CC for two years, and then applying to NYU? it would substantially cut costs and leave you time to build up you’re artistry. Plus, no matter what you’d still be close to home like you said.</p>
<p>On the other hand, fredonia has an excellent music program (one that is very high on my list of colleges, actually). I know it seems scary at first, but you might end up enjoying the freedom of living a little bit farther away from home. Plus, it sounds like you’d still be in the same state. Just consider this. Fredonia is cheaper than NYU and you can go to it for four years, and then opt to get you’re masters through NYU. in my eyes it’d be the best of both worlds.
(Oh and if you’re worried about auditions, don’t fret. with a little time and effort and good support from a teacher or the folks on here…you might suprise yourself!)</p>
<p>hope i helped and best of luckk (:</p>
<p>riku,</p>
<p>How are you at math? If that is one of your stronger subjects, check out the field of quantitative psychology. It does require a PhD after earning your bachelor’s degree in psychology, but many of the PhD programs provide full scholarships and monthly stipends for room and board to those who are accepted. There seems to be a fair demand for quantitative psychology PhDs both in academia and in industry, with pretty good starting salaries.</p>
<p>I do not know if it will be possible to combine a career in psychology with a part time career teaching music, but you could certainly pursue performing at an avocational or perhaps even semi-professional level while holding down a day job. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>My daughter’s flute teacher has a performance degree from Indiana, ME from Queens College and a Doctorate in Psychology from Pace, She has spent many years as a school psychologist (which on LI is a $100K + gig with amazing benefits). She stopped working last year and teaches flute full time now.</p>
<p>btw… I thought you were accepted as a music student at Fredonia already.</p>
<p>sagiter - Where does you daughter’s flute teacher live? I actually think I know her! And as for Fredonia, apparently I got too excited about my audition results, since I thought from the feedback I got that I was accepted, but I was denied by mail. I thought I posted that somewhere else, but I guess not?</p>
<p>The only general music degree available is the BA, which is a core music history and music theory degree with piano proficiency…it prepares you to do nothing but to continue studying music. Graduate clinical psychology program admission at the PhD level is more competitive than Juilliard and Curtis admission. Academic psychology study, areas like social and quantitative psychology are only slightly less competitive. Peruse this forum to find out more about that process: [Clinical</a> Psychology [Psy.D. / Ph.D.] | Student Doctor Network](<a href=“Psychology [Psy.D. / Ph.D.] | Student Doctor Network”>Psychology [Psy.D. / Ph.D.] | Student Doctor Network) It is a very lengthy process. </p>
<p>It sounds like attending a CC for a couple of years and exploring what you would like to study is an excellent idea. It only takes on class, one professor, one awareness of a fascinating subject to send you on your way to your future studies. Good luck.</p>
<p>riku92mr, you have been offered some sound advice. </p>
<p>Reading this thread has me a bit befuddled. While it is not unusual to have career option conflicts (even in music students), I sense some cultural bias at work here, and perhaps that some of your earlier auditioning scheduling problems centered around your parents not wishing to support a pursuit of music at the undergrad level.</p>
<p>There seems to be a fixation as well on NYU. You ain’t alone. There were at least three separate threads in the financial aid forum this past cycle from admitted NYU students who got into their “dream” school and were bemoaning the (lack of) aid packages and were looking for ways to get more. Some were quite creative, but showed a marked absence of forethought for the future in overcoming the outrageous loan burden.</p>
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<p>Don’t bet on it. NYU is a fine school, but it is for those with deep pockets willing to fork over the bucks and not bat an eye, or the lucky few each cycle that the NYU financial rune casters deem worthy of packages that allow you to eat on a regular basis for the next decade or two.</p>
<p>Lower cost options to get you started in either psychology or music include Stony Brook, Queens and Hunter Colleges, and they satisfy the proximity factor. Save your money. NYU will be there for grad work should you wish.</p>
<p>Your parents cannot live your life, nor you theirs. Ponder that. Success in whatever path you choose.</p>
<p>I just wanted to comment that at least in some states you can practice with a Masters in Counseling along with an MSW. You want to make sure you join a program that leads to a MFT (Marriage and Family Therapist) or MHC (Mental Health Counselor) license. Make sure you read your state rules carefully and that your state will recognize the license and allow you to start a private practice. For example, in CA you can practice privately with an MFT license, but I don’t believe they recognize the MHC license.</p>
<p>MSWs do have more job options and get more respect at the masters level, though, but if the main goal is to open a private practice an MFT is just fine.</p>