I am dying to get into this field, whether as a teacher, or counseler or psycholgist/social worker in a district. I have my BA in Communications/Journalism and want to go back to school to get into the education field. I know absolutely nothing about it and would LOVE any input or advice. Does anyone know how I can get into this field with NO prior experience????
Re: Teachers, Counselers & School Psychologists...
ok, I am a certified teacher and counselor...here are some questions:
do you have 36 credits in a specific field? what psych classes did you take in college? how much time do you want to spend on school? what age group do you not want to deal with?
to start with...these professions are different, so it really depends
Kelly5274
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Member since
Re: Teachers, Counselers & School Psychologists...
No, I don't have 36 credits in any one field other than my media classes, which I can't use for eduaction. I took two intro to psych classes in college. Want to try to finish in no more than four years part time. There is not a specific age group that I don't want to deal with. I know I will have to take some prereq courses to make up for what I did not take in undergrad, just don't know where to begin. And, I don't know how to figure out which area I would be better suited to.
Re: Teachers, Counselers & School Psychologists...
OK...teaching and probably counseling are possible to do in 4 years PT...I think school psychology would be harder...but I don't know as I have not gone through it...but most school psychologists I have dealt with have PhDs or PsyDs
so your options are: (what stands out to you? what are your goals? is there a specific area that you are interested? a specific type of child you would liek to help?) elementary ed special ed a subject...math, science, reading, art, social studies, english counseling
I don't want to turn you off school psych, but it will be a bigger committment
sophie78
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Re: Teachers, Counselers & School Psychologists...
I am actually getting my PhD in clinical and school psychology. I am also an admissions consultant at Kaplan for students applying to graduate programs.
Here is the info: Social Work and Guidance Counseling Programs are very easy to get into. I have gotten students into both with very low GPAs (under 3.0). The programs are short and painless.
Psychology programs (doctoral) are extremely competitive. They are actually tougher to get into than medical school. They accept about 2-5%. They are 5-7 years long. However, a masters in school psych isn't terribly competitive. But if you plan on working on LI, you have to understand that the majority of school psychs have their doctorate. So you would always have to take orders from a supervisor with a doctorate and you would have a harder time getting a job. But this doesn't apply if you want to move out of Long Island.
Jenn524
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Re: Teachers, Counselers & School Psychologists...
I am actually going for my masters in school counseling and I have to say I don't view the program as short and painless. I've been going part time while holding down a full time job and it's a lot of work. the classes aren't hard, but they are time consuming.
The biggest piece of advice that I can offer you is look into all the different schools that offer the program you decide to enter. I blindly signed up for my masters at CW Post and I didn't find out until after I had 12 credits done that I need to do 3 internships for a total of 700 hours in order to complete the program. This is very hard to do when you need to work full time in order to pay rent. So make sure you evaluate all of your options before you make any decision.
I love the school counseling program, I don't know how I am going to finish my masters, but it's a great area to get into. However, it is hard to find a job because schools only have a couple of counselors and many times when there are budget cuts, school counselors are one of the first to go. Feel free to FM me if you have any questions.
Re: Teachers, Counselers & School Psychologists...
I will agree that a masters program in counseling is not short nor painless...
there is a lot of work involved...especially if you do not have a background in psych (I was a psych minor and still had to do a lot of reading up - it is ASSUMED that you know psych 101, abnormal psych, child development and personality)
I had many research papers consisting of 50+ pages...and more presentations then I would like to remember...
its also required to take statistics...so be prepared for that...
I did my internship while working fulltime...internship from 7-11:30 then went on to teach 5 periods with NO LUNCH!! (I wa slucky to be working in a school that had 12 periods) and I was probably the most miserable I have ever been in my life
school psychology is more demanding...but I would never suggest that counseling is easy
Jenn524
Posted:
Member since
Re: Teachers, Counselers & School Psychologists...
Two semesters ago I did my 100 hour internship. It was the most miserable time in my life. I work Mon-Fri from 8:30-5. I had class on Mon. & Thursday from 6:30-8:30. I did my internship on Tuesday and Wed. from 5:30-9:30. Oh and I planned my wedding also. It was the most exhausted I have ever been.
I agree that the school pyschology is more demanding. I can't even imagine what that program is like.
And yabbobay you're right, it's assumed that you know psychology. So if you're like me, a business management major who only took 2 pysch classes in college, you have to do extra work in order to be on the same level as people in your program.
