<p>I start college this Fall. I am majoring in Psychology which will require a Ph D or Psy D for what I want to do.</p>
<p>My question is this: 4 years from now when I graduate with a Bachelors degree, what kind of job can I get? I want to live in an on campus apartment... for 4-5 additional years.</p>
<p>I am hoping to get a job each summer and probably starting my sophomore year during the year...and can save some $$$ for graduate school and expenses.</p>
<p>Advice? Ideas? Each year will cost $13,000-$15,000 for grad school, so $60,000.</p>
<p>Two thoughts: 1. Do really well in your undergraduate studies (yes, I mean GPA), and you will not have to worry as much about paying for graduate school. Top students get scholarships and fellowships to grad school. 2. What can you get with a Bachelor's degree? I don't know what part of the country you live in, but the Federal Government has jobs in many parts of the country and a qualifying grad starts a GS-7, which is darn good money ($40K's) right out of school. FWIW, I have a BA in Psychology, but I don't work in that field. In my field, Contracting, we have excellent intern programs for grads. All you would have to do is take 24 credits of business and related subjects, as defined by our program. You can also get into summer intern programs in the Govt without any particular specialization. I realize that you want to work in Psychology. You might want to look into intern programs that the Veteran's Administration has in psychology. As you go through your first 4 years, you will be able ask a lot of questions about the career field of your professors, grad students, etc. I know that you will take advantage of this. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Yes, I am going to try my best to have a high GPA. The first semester is easy (psychology, public speaking, english composition, college algebra, and U.S. History. The only one I will have to really work for is the history)</p>
<p>I am in Georgia. And I am hoping to go to school during the summer and work full time during the summer.</p>
<p>I just am clueless as to what jobs are open to someone with a B.S. in Psychology at this time. I will definitely look into the Veterans Administration..</p>
<p>Unless there is something new, VA internships in psychology are at the graduate level, for a full year, as part of the doctoral training. With a BA or BS in psych you'll probably be looking at MHA jobs (mental health associate) at an inpatient, partial hospitalization or day treatment program. Work hard in college and get familiar with an areas of research you are interested in. See if you can do research in that area as well, and communicate with those who are doing research at other institutions in that field of specialization.</p>
<p>There are lots of grad programs in psychology-- clinical, counseling, educational/school psych, I-O (industrial-organizational), physiological, social, neuropsych., etc. Lots of areas to study. Good luck!</p>
<p>With a BA there are lots of opportunities especially in research if you have had research experience in college. Usually your professors will help connect you or the career office can point you to opportunities. There are also low paying jobs ,upon graduation, low 30,000 depending on what experience you have had clinically in school ie internships, summer camps for special needs children, etc. Most professors recommend at least a year working before getting into a PhD program especially clinical psych. A psych D program has less fellowships available though it is shorter in length. Both my kids majored in psych and have done research and clinical work, paid and unpaid during college. Once you start taking classes you will have a better idea of your niche. My daughter took a seminar class junior year which went through all the grad school option and possibilities, so many options. Her professors have been very helpful as well.</p>
<p>^^^ That must be a regional thing. I have not heard of those research opportunities in my area. Most faculty hire their own grad students to do their research. And things must have changed in the many years since I was in grad school. My classmates and I (clinical psych) were all right out of undergrad. </p>
<p>There is a Psy.D. program here in town, and two Ph.D. programs. Some of the students in the Psy.D. program are older and have had other career paths before turning to psychology. I think that is not the norm in the Ph.D. programs, from my experience. I am showing my bias here, but if you have a choice, I'd pick the Ph.D. over the Psy.D. And pick an APA approved training program.</p>
<p>Funding (grants, traineeships, teaching assistantships, etc) has changed over the years. Often there is some funding available to help defray the cost of the Ph.D. graduate program, but it is not likely to cover the full cost of grad school. That said, it is probably still a LOT cheaper than the Psy.D. programs.</p>