Hi again, so I currently want to double major in psychology and asian studies. I love psychology and have wanted to pursue it since almost 8th grade, however, I’ve been thinking lately about doing something different since you don’t need to major in psychology to get a masters and phD in psychology.
I’m also worried that if I decide to do something else while I’m teaching english in Japan prior to my masters, that I won’t be very employable. Though I will also have a Cosmetology license when I graduate high school this year from BOCCES.
I’m learning Japanese and enjoy learning about asian culture and history, so I know I want to still keep that and double major. I’m not really keen on business-y jobs since I don’t really want to work in a corporate office at a desk. However, I’ve been considering changing my major later on to something like International Relations or International Business or something else along those lines, just so if i do change paths I’ll have another option. Would it be better to major in psychology if I’m going to master?? I know that things change so I don’t want to limit myself or pick a specific career too far in advance.
Sorry for the long posts, but thanks again for reading, I appreciate any advice.
The question is not what to do before a Master’s program- the question is what do you want to do AFTER?
School counseling is not pharma research is not working as a licensed therapist.
You do not first get a Master’s and then apply to doctorate programs if your plan is a PhD in Psychology- you apply to doctoral programs and in some cases, pick up the Master’s degree when you finish your coursework and pivot towards you dissertation research.
It will be very hard to get the right kind of recommendations from your faculty to enter a competitive doctorate program if the professors don’t know you well- i.e. you did not major in psychology and work with them on research, publications, journal submissions, etc. Getting funded is competitive, and getting into a solid program is important for your training, publishing, mentoring, etc.
So if you love psychology- why, what do you want to do when you are done with your education, and have you really explored what the academic and career paths look like with various counseling/therapy/cognitive science avenues???
“Hi again, so I currently want to double major in psychology and asian studies. I love psychology and have wanted to pursue it since almost 8th grade, however, I’ve been thinking lately about doing something different since you don’t need to major in psychology to get a masters and phD in psychology.”
Well, while that is technically true, in practice it’s actually pretty difficult to do. Graduate school relies on students having a foundational level of knowledge which you pick up in undergrad, and the most competitive applicants have the equivalent of a major in the area. So if you know you want a PhD in psychology…you should probably major in psychology. (Also, if you love it and have wanted to pursue it, why would you not simply because you don’t HAVE to?)
You can always go into international relations or business with a psychology major, especially if you are doubling in East Asian studies and plan to become fluent in Japanese.