<p>I want to apply to both PhD and MA programs because of lack of research experience in School Psychology. I originally was just going to apply to Eds programs but like the wider range of job prospects and opportunities with a PhD and enjoyed doing independent research last year very much
. Since many of the schools I like have both options (much easier when they don't) how do you choose which one....if I feel I have a chance at a PhD program, I will apply, but hate to lose the opportunity to apply to the masters program. I know it looks unfocussed to do that and agree but sometimes both programs are well respected. Grad books I've read have said that you might get rejected at PhD level and offered their masters program but you can't count on that.
Anyone applying to both and how do you pick which one...funding, location, numbers accepted?</p>
<p>I think you can just apply PhD programs, often times if you are not that good to be funded, they will give you admission which means you support yourself, and you could just go and get MS then</p>
<p>My brother is applying to some funded school psych programs for specialist level and some PhD. He will only be able to accept if so lucky, ones that are funded but realizes that masters are not funded in full, except rarely. There are scholarships and some if you are a URM which he is, although, again, not very many vs the number of applicants.
Good luck!</p>
<p>I applied to a master’s program and a Ph.D program at one of my top-choice schools last year. I got into the Ph.D program. I don’t think it made me look unfocused; it made me look like…I was applying to the MPH program just in case I didn’t get into the Ph.D program, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want a Ph.D.</p>
<p>In any case, apply to the Ph.D programs at the schools where your research most closely matches that of the faculty members, and at less-well-matched schools, apply to the Ed.S option.</p>
<p>I will for some, but I was told at UConn it wasn’t a good idea. I think it depends on the program.
Is a “match” as important at the EdS level, that is more practical, getting you ready to work in the schools or similar facility. I can see that more if you are working 4-5 years in a lab on certain research areas.
I would like to work in a more multi-cultural background and some programs are geared to that more than others.</p>
<p>I think a match is more important if you plan to continue to a Ph.D level and you want to do research at the specialist level. Then, it’s a good idea to at least try to attend a school where someone is interested in your research interests, so you can do research there and build up your CV for the doctoral application. If one is only interested in working and does not intend to continue to the Ph.D, then whether or not the faculty is a research match doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>However, I think it would be a good idea to go to a school that has a particular emphasis or focus on your population – like if you wanted to work with special education kids going to a program that had an emphasis on that would be great. Since you want to work with a multicultural cadre of students, then going to a school that has lots of classes on diversity and managing caseloads of kids from diverse backgrounds, as well as internships in those areas, would be a good idea.</p>
<p>I agree. I grew up in a multi-cultural neighborhood (White/Black/Asian/Indian/Orthodox Jew) which was great, and I am bi-racial. I think taking my environment for granted taught me many things growing up, and bigotry was hard to process later because we all got along so well. Although I’m a first generation student, I am grateful for the example of middle-class minorities that showed me that advanced degrees were attainable and have urged me to go on to get my PhD and not be intimidated by others predictions. What is the worst thing that can happen, if you don’t get in you try again or regroup.
No matter what, I wont get discouraged.
Are you applying this year or are you in a program?</p>
<p>There are many programs in school psych that are actively looking for minorities, so that combined with an interest in multicultural (have you done any multicultural research?) could very well tip the scale in your favor, esp. with a strong research match. From reading the OP, it appears you’ll have 2 years of research experience, which shold be enough.</p>