Working It: Earning and Using My Masters' Degree in Clinical Psychology

Making the decision to attend college for 4 to 8 years after high school is not an easy one. Some of us went directly to college, only to drop out. Some college "drop-outs"--me, for example, got a taste of the job market and what life would be if we did not finish our educations. So, I returned to school to obtain the Holy Grail, a college degree.

Earning a College Degree - Choosing a College Major

Deciding the major for my college degree was stressful. Would I have to do just that one job for 50 years? Initially, I took general educational requirements around my work schedule. I hoped I would run in to a subject that I loved. And that is what happened.

After taking a required Introductory Psychology course, I was hooked. I took another, then a sociology course. Both subject areas appealed to me. After meeting with two of my Millikin University professors, I chose my college major-- psychology and sociology as a double major. Once I formulated my goal, no course I took was too difficult. I even made it through a Romantic Poetry class to fulfill an elective requirement and earn my college degree.

Setting Even Higher College Goals - Attending Graduate School

During my last 2 years of undergraduate school, a couple of my Millikin University professors suggested I consider going on to get my masters' degree. You must be kidding, I thought as they spoke. In addition to the undergraduate college degree, now go to graduate school? As they explained, I realized the level of my interest in the coursework, was in fact, quite high. Would I need to attend graduate school?

I researched possible careers for a 4-year college degree in psychology/sociology. After some work, I knew the career I wanted-performing diagnosis and mental health therapy. It required a masters' degree. It wouldn't hurt to determine which universities close to home offered masters' psychology programs.

Graduate School Applications - College Scholarships for Another College Degree

Eventually, I submitted applications to 2 graduate schools, both in Clinical Psychology. Interestingly, one program was 1 year long; the other was 2 years long. I needed a full-ride college scholarship; otherwise, I couldn't afford graduate school. Well, if I got in to the one-year program, I could get a low-interest state college loan in Illinois and earn another college degree.

The letters arrived- I was accepted to both graduate schools. Hooray! But wait a minute-I did not receive a scholarship for the one-year program. I did receive a clinical assistantship for the 2-year program at Illinois State University, ISU. I would be a Graduate Assistant to designated professors each semester. Doing so would cover tuition costs, plus I would earn a paycheck. Although I had hoped for the one-year program, I thought, "Here we go--two more years of school and another college degree."

While attending graduate school at ISU, I chose to complete 3 internships. I wanted to work with all types of clients to help decide what type of career I wanted. After internships in the college counseling center with college-age clients, the laboratory school with children/families, and an inpatient psychiatric hospital with adult patients, I accepted a Counselor position at a local community mental health center.

After the College Degrees--Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Sociology and Master of Science in Clinical Psychology

I began working full-time at the community mental health center even though I still had three more months of grad school to write my thesis. It was hectic, but I persevered. I was a professional counselor. Two years after receiving my bachelors' degree from Millikin University, I earned a Master of Science college degree in Clinical Psychology from ISU. I was glad I completed the two-year program. Firstly, it was an exception program. Secondly, I cannot imagine having only 1 year of advanced education for the work I do.

College Degrees and the LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Designation

My college degrees are definitely worth the work. I've held several fascinating positions throughout my career. Currently, I am an LMHC--Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a private practice. I work with a psychiatrist and two nurse practitioners. Using the team approach to provide mental health treatment is the most effective, in my opinion. Meeting with clients of various ages/walks of life is intriguing. It's well worth the effort I put in to complete undergraduate and graduate college degrees.

I also serve as an Adjunct Instructor/Professor from time to time. I could not do so without a masters' degree. Working with students reminds me of the gravity of teaching-my professors provided the push I needed to earn my bachelors' and masters' degrees.

Source

National Science Foundation website