<p>For the past couple of months, I’ve been patting myself on the back for getting into UCSD. I’ve been telling myself to just concentrate on getting through the first year, the first QUARTER even, because I know it will be a huge transition in my life.</p>
<p>However, my dad has started to ask me all kinds of questions about grad school. @_@ And now, I’m freaking out because I don’t have a CLUE!</p>
<p>Here’s the scenario: I want to become a psychologist. Not a psychiatrist, a psychologist. Not a counselor, either. I want to work in a hospital, or in a practice, where I am actually counseling people 1 on 1. COUNSELING, not research, lab work, or business stuff. Helping people, in an office, 1 hour of time alone with them to get to the root of the problem, and get them on the right path again.</p>
<p>I know that I need to get a doctorate to become a licensed psychologist, but I have a few questions leading up to that.</p>
<li><p>How long does it usually take to get your PhD or PsyD, INCLUDING undergrad?</p></li>
<li><p>What kind of jobs can you get with a master’s?</p></li>
<li><p>Do most college offer paid internships for students working toward their PhD/PsyD?</p></li>
<li><p>Does FAFSA still help you financially with grad school? And I heard that some schools will cover your tuition fees, depending on the school and the grad program. Is this true?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thank you so much to everyone who takes the time to read and respond!</p>
<p>It usually takes between 8 and 10 years to get a PhD or PsyD, including undergratuate study and masters study. 4 undergrad, 2 masters, and 2-4 doctorate...the time spent earning your doctorate varies a great deal, however.</p>
<p>I'm not sure about what sorts of jobs are available with a masters degree. I know that you can be a school psychologist with a masters, other then that I'm not certain.</p>
<p>All I know about paid internship and financial aid during grad school is that most students are dirt poor after earning their bachelors. Grad schools discourage work outside of school because it can be time consuming and distracting, not sure about internships though. I have heard that many do offer stipends and grants, and cover a good deal of fees, but of course it depends on the program and school.</p>
<p>I also want to be a psychologist, not a psychiatrist, not a counselor, a psychologist, and work directly with patients. Research is lame. :) Best of luck</p>
<p>you want to counsel people 1 on 1 in a hospital, but don't want to be a counselor? ok...
here's the breakdown, 4 years undergrad, phD will take anywhere from 6-10 years, after that you have to complete 3000 supervised hours in order to recieve a license to practice psychology. my mom has an masters in psych and she does mainly child therapy, stuff like that. those 3000 hours are much like a residency for medical students, it takes years to do, working full time. and during your internships, which is all you get before you're licensed, the pay is just like that of residents</p>
<p>If you are doing a PsyD, you will do three years of course work, then however long it takes to complete your dissertation. The 3000 clinical hours are generally begun after you receive your MA, typically after your second years of coursework and an oral exam, which means depending on your speed and ambition, you could potentially be degreed and licensed at the end of year four.</p>
<p>Federal loans are available for grad school, including your internship years. Depending on if you choose a APA or CAPIC (the California governing board for internships), you can also borrow the cost of living expenses for un-paid internships.</p>
<p>Here's a link to a description of the program offered by The Wright Institute in Berkeley which is one example of the program types.</p>