<p>My daughter, a junior, is also planning to go for an undergrad degree is psychology despite a lot of discouragement from people we know. She is not sure if she would want to try for med school after that to be a psychiatrist or do a masters & then maybe a Phd. I realise the doctoral programs are very hard to get into, right now her grades are just above average (B to A- range but hopefully she will get more focused in college) We are trying to find a medium sized school with a good program in psychology, preferably in the northeast, which would allow her to take the science courses require for med school in case she decides to go that route. An added advantage would be a school that also offers a combined Bachelors/Masters 5 year program. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Due to constantly hearing about the lack of prospects for a psychology graduate, she is also considering Pharmacy but her heart is not really in it. Is there any way of combining the 2 programs in any way? I don't think so but maybe someone knows something different. I am having a hard time helping her decide, it's not easy for me to tell her to think with head, not her heart though as a parent, that's what seems to be expected of me!</p>
<p>The DOL's Occupational Outlook Handbook shows that employment of psychologists is expected to grow faster than average through 2014. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos056.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos056.htm</a></p>
<p>She should also visit the American Psychological Association site for more info on the profession. They have a job search page and that might give her a good idea what's out there.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.apa.org/about/%5B/url%5D">http://www.apa.org/about/</a></p>
<p>American has a 5 yr combined BA/MA in Psychology. Acadia outside Phila has new masters programs in counseling psychology. You can major in anything and still be premed, and the basic required courses are offered everywhere- chem, org chem, physics (worthless), bio. If she is interested in counseling, an MSW is a quick way (2 yrs) to proceed as well.</p>
<p>My daughter, a college freshman, is leaning towards psychology as a major. I'm not too concerned - I figure understanding others behavior is a good preparation for a lot of careers, although recently she's been talking about geriatrics social work as a possiblity. One thing your daughter <em>might</em> want to do is look at the requirements for a psychology major. A lot of kids (like my daughter) are surprised by how math and science intensive a major it can be at many colleges. Finally, keep in mind that majors are more likely to change than not, so I'd advise against picking a college solely for its psychology department. </p>
<p>That said, some possibilities, in a range of selectivities, to get your daughter started in her college search: Clark University (MA), Boston University (MA), Wheaton College (MA), Mt. Holyoke (MA), Smith (MA), Colby (ME), Franklin & Marshall (PA), Skidmore (NY), Case Western Reserve (OH), Dension (OH), Stonehill (MA), Trinity (CT), U of Rochester, Syracuse University, Fairfield (CT), Washington & Jefferson (PA), Allegheny (PA), Dickinson (PA), Goucher (MD).</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the replies. I also found that NYU has a Bachelors/Masters program . The courses do not overlap unfortunately but one can save a year by taking 2 courses towards the masters degree in the summer. Anyway, long way to go for that! I would prefer her to stay in the Boston/New England/NY area & she is fine with that with New York being her first preference. Please let me know there are any other suggestions.
Was also hoping to get some input on the Pharmacy idea since she would have to apply to a different set of schools if that was what she decided. My husband feels that is the better choice but I guess I would rather let her decide that.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what aspect of psychology interests your DTR. Certainly, some UG classes are helpful to anyone to further self-understanding and relationships. </p>
<p>If you could say more about Dtr's interests, it would help focus. In School of Ed are several Masters programs that are geared toward college work (Dean of student affairs, etc). Nursing has several options that involve a lot of counseling, and pay more than typical jobs for LMSWs and PhDs</p>
<p>I got a nursing degree, worked on psych units, then got Masters and Ph.D in Psych. A friend who graduated from my PhD class (and who had also been a nurse) went back to school for a nurse practitioner degree after getting PhD. She felt she could practice more independently (prescribe meds, etc.) as a nurse practitioner under MD supervision. Could have skipped the PhD. Nursing schools are facing a big shortage of professors, so there should be lots of openings there and my nursing program at Cornell (they don't have one anymore) had several profs who specialized in Psych.</p>
<p>I second the vote for looking at Clark.</p>
<p>She is interested in Counselling Psychology, ideally would like to be a psychologist with her own practice. She has been volunteering at Samaritans on the suicide hotline & finds it very rewarding to be able to help people with their problems. She is a good listener, the one whom friends always call with their latest crisis with their boyfriend/girlfriend/parents etc! I'm just not sure that she has the perseverance to get a PhD with all the years it entails.She enjoys spending money so definitely needs to find a well-paying profession.</p>
<p>A Master's in Social work is also a good option for some. It's a terminal degree and you can get certified and get insurance reimbursement for counselling/therapy work. Can also work in hospitals or other places.</p>
<p>I think the most versatile degree these days is an MSW, if what she wants to do most is counseling and psychotherapy. If she is interested in the social science/research/teaching/testing aspect of the work, then she will eventually need a PhD/PsyD--but that can often come later, when she has some work experience (and maybe a financially supportive partner). Counseling Psychology (in contrast to Clinical) is often a more accessible and affordable doctorate (better funding for grad students typically because degree is not centered in professional schools but in universities) and also leads to licensure.</p>