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Thread: Determining the need for a Master's

  1. #1
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    Determining the need for a Master's

    Another thread on this forum spurred me to write this post.

    How do you KNOW if it's the right decision to pursue a Master's degree? I completed my bachelor's in psychology several years ago and had originally intended to complete my graduate degree in counseling.

    Now we have a 2-year old and I'm thinking about entering the workforce again (I've been rather unsuccessfully freelance writing for the past 3 years), either now or in the near future. While I'd like to find something part-time so I can stay home with The Boy until he enters Kindergarten, I'm not sure it will be possible financially.

    I've been thinking about my long-term career options and wondering if it might be time to pursue that Master's degree. It's such a huge time and financial commitment, though, I want to be sure I make the right decision.

    Suggestions? Opinions?

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    I suggest you talk with people who are doing the type of work you'd like to do in your field. I know two moms who work as counselors part-time and both find it highly rewarding (but I don't know if they have grad degrees). Speaking as a mom, a career in which you can work part-time is fabulous.

  3. #3
    Low Tech grunt iris lily's Avatar
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    Check, realistically and carefully, your job options. Why do you believe there are job opportunities in counseling?

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    I have both a bachelor's and a master's in psychology. I went for the master's because I couldn't really do anything with the bachelor's. My only options were social-work type jobs or working at rehabilitation centers (if I was lucky enough to get in, and then, I'd be on the lowest rung with no hope of advancement). I went for the master's so that I could pursue teaching at the college level (which is what I do now, and I love it).

    The situation might be different in your state/area, but it has been my experience that psychology is one of those fields that requires additional education. The more education you have, the more options you have. Counseling almost always requires at least a master's degree, and even then, you are up against other candidates with PsyDs. I'm not trying to sound negative, but I think it is important to realize that psychology is, in some parts of the country, an overly-saturated field.

    If counseling is something that interests you, I encourage you to research the field and talk with some professionals to see if they have any advice or suggestions for you. See what the job market looks like in your area. Also, remember that a master's alone may not be enough for you to counsel. I have a master's and still am not qualified to counsel because I am not licensed and certified in my state. Be sure to look up the licensure/certification process in your state and, if you decide to go back to school, be sure that you understand if that process is part of your degree program or if that is something you will have to do on your own after graduation.

    Please understand that I am not trying to discourage you. I think it would be wonderful for you to pursue your dream of becoming a counselor. I just wish that someone had told me some of these things before I started so that I could have made a more informed decision. Good luck and keep up posted!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Iris lily View Post
    Check, realistically and carefully, your job options. Why do you believe there are job opportunities in counseling?
    Advanced degrees are nice, I have 2 ½ . I have a MA in Psychology/Philosophy and MA in Administration with a labor relations concentration. The ½ is a partial PhD. I got so tired of working and going to school that I never finished the work for the PhD. At the end of may paying career in social work I can say from experience that you do need an MA to pursue your counseling dream but there is not much money or security in it unless you work for a government agency. If your primary goals are income, security and benefits, I agree with <Iris lily> that you need to check into all career options. If your primary goal is satisfaction and you feel counseling with fulfill that goal then go for the MA and counseling.

    Back to your question, how do you know? If counseling is what you want to do then a MA is pretty much required to find a job in counseling or go it on your own. I don’t know what area you are interested in but geriatric counseling is a growing field. I always encourage further education regardless of the goal.

  6. #6
    Low Tech grunt iris lily's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kat View Post
    ... I'm not trying to sound negative, but I think it is important to realize that psychology is, in some parts of the country, an overly-saturated field.

    ... I think it would be wonderful for you to pursue your dream of becoming a counselor. I just wish that someone had told me some of these things before I started so that I could have made a more informed decision. Good luck and keep up posted!
    That's my opinion as well, based only on non-objective facts, but the number of people I personally know who are going $50,000 into debt for a "counseling" degree is rather extreme.

    So how does one get objective information on employment opportunity? Well, do NOT ask the professors in the field, they are paid to turn out students.

    Find the local area professional network and join that and inquire among that group : who is hiring? what credentials are needed? HOw long is practice in the field needed before license? How long did it take newly minted people in the group to get full employment? And, do they like it? In other words, how soon can you start paying back the debt because I assume you would be, as everyone seems to be doing these days, taking out ginormous loans for the coveted advanced degree.

    Look, I don't have anything against advanced degrees, both DH and I have them, btu I think so many students are being sold a bill of goods these days to get that piece of paper.

    There are some fiedls that you cannot enter without that advanced degree, and I understand and respect that. But if you

    1) go into debt
    2) are limited in where you can move to get a job
    3) are in an oversaturated field

    You are NOT ahead to get the degree.

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    Thanks for the feedback and ideas--yes, I definitely will need an MA to practice here in VT. I'd like to eventually work independently, which would require me to get licensed. I have a friend who's a counselor, so I'm getting a lot of good info from her. I'm also contacting local Christian counselors (as this is my area of interest) to see if there's a need for this particular type of counseling, how they find their clients, etc.

    I, too, found that there's little I can do with my bachelor's in psychology. My friend (the therapist) recommended I try to get in at a local mental health agency for more experience. Also, I would definitely try to get into an agency or company which offers tuition reimbursement as school is so expensive.

    I hestitate to get too excited because I'm not sure if it's the right time, family-wise. My son is so young--I'd like to stay home with him part-time until he's in school but my part-time job options aren't great right now. My friend is doing therapy 2 days/week and loves it--I'm regretting that I didn't buckle down and finish my education before having a child. Now it feels a little overwhelming. How will I juggle work AND school AND my family?

    Anyway, I thank you all for the ideas and information--and please, keep it coming!

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    I feel for you, Joyous! I always wanted a PsyD in criminal psychology/forensics. When I found out we had a baby on the way, that dream got squelched (at least for the time being).

    When I was in graduate school full-time, I worked a full-time job, a part-time job, and took care of my aging father (plus I had a marriage/home to tend to). It was a NIGHTMARE. The amount of stress was almost unbearable; I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Yes, I got through it, but I would never put myself in that situation again. The cost was just. too. high.

    It is hard to juggle all of those things. People do it, but it's very hard. It is difficult demonstrating excellence as a student AND a worker AND a mother AND a wife all at once. Ultimately, I ended up letting some things go and compromised my values in the process.

    I would encourage you to really consider what your priorities are. There are reasons you want to stay at least home part-time with your son. What are they? Are you willing to compromise in that area? Are the benefits of obtaining that degree greater than the sacrifices you would be making? Remember that any decision you make will impact your family life, too. I'm not trying to tell you not to do it. Just be sure to consider how this decision will affect all the domains of your life (physical, emotional, relational, financial--even spiritual).

    I did have a thought about part-time work that might work for you. I know some folks around here with your background will sometimes post ads in the paper to care for the elderly or the mentally disabled part-time. Not nursing care, obviously, but to check in on people, provide some company, run errands, teach social/life skills, etc. I know one gal that does this for the elderly, and she brings her small children with her. Her clients love to see the kids, and she helps them with light housecleaning, laundry, bill paying, etc., shopping, etc.

    Just a thought. Might not interest you at all, but I thought I would mention it in case it did and you decided not to return to school at this time.

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    DD got her bachelors in psychology. After working as a waitress for a year (at good money I might add), she decided to go for a master's in social work/business. She thought about the counseling aspect but decided to learn the business side of social work instead. Her first interview out and she landed a position at a large nonprofit here where she has learned every aspect of running the organization - operations, development, marketing, etc. In this way, she is still helping people as was her original intent. She figures if she ever takes time off to raise kids that she can sideline as a grant writer or consultant in her field. Although she bemoans her student debt, she makes a good salary and does not regret her choice to get the advanced degree. She felt as you do that there was little she could do with a basic psychology degree other than be entrepreneurial. Perhaps you could volunteer or work part-time at a nonprofit in your area of interest and give it more thought.

  10. #10
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    Masters degrees in social work can pay off very well, IF you manage to snag a job with security, benefits, and room for advancement. Medical social work is a growing field, as is the demand in some areas (depends on your state & county) for child/family services and family counselling. Geriatric services and end-of-life bereavement counselor positions are also on the uptick, as I understand, given the greying of America. Avoid grant-funded positions if you can, since they can disappear like smoke at the most inconvenient times. All these are big "ifs," though, and I do agree with the other posters...you must take into consideration your current financial, professional, and domestic situation and goals to see if it is truly workable for you.

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