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Anon, I don’t want to be rude, but I also don’t want to clog this blog up with too many questions about the same thing (especially something I’ve already said I don’t know much about?). If you’d like to continue this discussion further, please use an account I can reply privately to. :)

As for this specific question: PsyD programs are expensive and just as long as a PhD program, and I can use my psychic abilities to predict that they probably wouldn’t transfer Masters credits very satisfactorily. So research the specific program you’re interested in and see how they handle transfers. Otherwise, I say just go for it. PsyD’s are meant to be self-contained training programs geared toward practice, so I don’t see why you’d need a Masters first?

I think that you should make the MA/PhD decision based on what you want to do, and the licensing laws and practice requirements of wherever you see yourself working.  If you plan to get a PhD, I don’t see the harm in applying straight to the PhD programs. You will possibly be placed at a slight disadvantage against people entering with their Masters, but I can’t count how many horror stories I’ve heard of people who spent 2-3 years getting a Masters only to not have their credits or thesis transfer properly in their new PhD program and so they have to retake stuff… no fun. :(

I also think there are pros and cons to taking time off after undergrad before entering graduate school. 

Pros:

• You can work or volunteer and hopefully get more real-world experience and/or research under your belt for applications
• You get a rest from school so you’re less likely to feel burned out when you go back

Cons:

• Student loans are due in 6 months after you graduate?
• It’s hard to get back into school once you’ve been out of it for a while
• Your life is put “on hold” while you don’t have the degree to do what you really want to do

I went in straight from undergrad and I’m doing okay. I do wish I had taken some time off between, though. So use that knowledge however you’d like. :)

I really don’t know much about forensic psychology programs or career requirements off the top of my head. Anything I give you would be based on me Googling.

I do know that Forensic psychology is often a “track” that you can take while getting another degree. My school has a Forensic specialty that you take a few classes in while you’re getting your clinical degree. BUT there are programs specifically for Forensics out there, so give Google a shot. 

Good luck! :)

You (or the other Anon) asked if I thought you had a chance, not whether you could be guaranteed entrance. I can’t make promises about acceptance, but I also don’t want to discourage someone from at least researching and trying!  

My mentor in my undergraduate training started his psychology PhD program after getting a BA in Literature. What schools prefer is someone who has the baseline experience in psychology to meet the pre-requisites for their program, people who love the field and have some experience working or participating in it through research or practice, and people with the motivation and drive to do well in the program and make the school proud.

Preference is given to Psychology majors because they tend to also be the ones who apply in the first place.  People with unrelated degrees may have a hard time explaining their sudden change of heart in pursuing a graduate degree in a new field, but that’s what your personal statement is for. If you really care and are interested in the field, then you’ll be able to knock that out of the park. :)

That depends on the classes you took while getting that degree, and the accreditation of your school, and a bunch of other stuff.  The easiest way to find out is for you to look at specific programs you’re interested in applying to and see what they require to qualify. And you can always ask their admissions offices about any questions that you still have!

Wishing you the best! 

Forensic Psychology is the branch that deals with the law and criminal behaviors (and maybe psychopathy). Forensic psychologists can do a lot of things (teach, research, practice), but I think the common conception of them is people who assess individuals who have been accused of crimes, to see if they are cognitively competent to stand trial or otherwise significantly impaired (like in Death Penalty cases). They also can be witnesses on the stand for cases.

In my school, we have a well-known Forensic Psychologist who researches aspects of the Miranda Law, consults with all kinds of legal cases, and who flies around the country to do the assessments I mentioned earlier. 

If you think of shows like Law & Order, they often have a Psychologist on call. I think that would also be considered a Forensic Psychologist. :)

More feedback on the Art Therapy!  

My followers are the best. :)

Thanks!  ^_^

Thanks Anon! 

I’ll open this up to my followers!  I don’t know much about art therapy, personally. One of my cohort mates has a degree in art and is pursuing her PhD in Clinical Psychology. I think she wants to explore Art Therapy down the road!

There are associations for Art Therapy, so you might want to start looking there for program suggestions and stuff. :)

Followers, any suggestions? :D