<p>I have learned that many European universities offer one-year "Taught" masters. However, I have heard that these one-year programs are very intense and challenging. Does anyone know how difficuilt a single year Eurpo masters in psych might be? I am thinking of a university like Leiden in the Netherlands. Also, how well accepted are these masters by U.S. doctoral programs?</p>
<p>1) depends on whether you’re undertaking the programme in English or Dutch lol.</p>
<p>2) As long as it’s a legit accredited degree, to grad schools its provenance matters very little compared to the rest of the application package. Employment is another matter, however.</p>
<p>3) They’re not actually harder, they’re just structured differently, so that they take less time (and the European academic year is longer).</p>
<p>Yeah, the Leiden program is in English. Most other programs I am looking at are in the UK, so language won’t be a problem. Do you have any exerience with (or knowledge of) any Euro schools?</p>
<p>Only Italian ones. Well, and British ones also, but mostly for undergrad. But idk anything about psych. Where are you applying?</p>
<p>What are you hoping to get out of the year abroad? I expect that it would be very rewarding personally but it may not really help with your PhD applications. (Assuming you wanted to start the PhD right after the Master’s, you wouldn’t have time to get letters of recommendation or transcripts from Europe.) </p>
<p>Just to emphasize, unlike in the US, even “taught” Master’s programs in Europe require a Master’s thesis. If you rely on the program being over in a single year, I’d encourage you to inquire if students actually finish in a year. Even though your program may only require one year’s worth of credits, you might need extra time to finish your psych internship and write your thesis.</p>
<p>Thanks b@r!um,
Aside from hoping to gain some international experience out of a Euro masters, I think I am partly motivated by the frustration of locating a U.S. psych masters that is preparatory for a clinical psych doctorate. Almost all the psych masters I have found in the U.S. are either research oriented or are terminal professional masters (geared towards clinical licensure at the masters level rather than preparation for a doctorate.) Most psych “taught” masters in Europe, on the other hand, seem to be more aimed at preparation for a clincal doctoral program. Your point is well taken that a taught MA may, in fact, require more than one year.</p>
<p>Most Euro Taught Masters especially the UK ones take one year- Students write their dissertation typically over the summer over a period of 3-4 months. I think you finish classes in May the start writing your dissertation over the summer in Late May, June, July, August and Submit it early September</p>
<p>I was under the impression that most clinical psychology students in the US entered their PhD program with a Bachelor’s degree. Is there a particular reason why you’d prefer to get a Master’s first? </p>
<p>I am just curious; please feel free not to respond if you’d rather not share your reasons.</p>
<p>True, many students enter clinical PhD programs without a masters degree. My first thought was to obtain a masters in social work, but as the OP said, it is primarily a terminal degree (as are most masters programs in psychology). There are some research intensive programs; perhaps you can find some in developmental psychology, or search for experimental psychology programs. Just remember that a one- or two-year masters program will not automatically knock off a year or two of the PhD program. I think this route is often more expensive and time consuming than directly entering a clinical PhD program.</p>
<p>If you are doing it to bring up your grades or to better prepare you for PhD admissions, there are cheaper alternatives, such as enrolling as a non-degree-seeking student in a nearby graduate program and take a few courses while gaining research and/or internship experience.</p>