Should I first go back for a second degree if I want to eventually become a school psychologist?

Question

I'm 35 years old, 12 years out of college, and wanting to get a master's degree to become a school counselor or school psychologist. When I was in college I was very unfocused and also had a substance abuse problem that left me unable to really apply myself to school. As a result, my grades suffered and although I did earn my degree in communication, I had pretty bad grades on my transcripts and little more than a piece of paper. Now, I'm on the road to recovery in my life and want to go back to school, but am uncertain how to get accepted into a reputable grad program based on my poor performance in college. Gratefully, I now have the financial means and the time to go back to school, but don't think any grad schools will accept me based on my grades. I want to know if I should go back to school for a second B.A. degree in psychology to "clean up my grades" and then go from there into the application process for grad school? And....how do I do this?

Answer 1

As a mature student, you may get accepted into a grad program even if your grades are not great. However, if you want to be a psychologist or school counselor you really need to do an undergraduate degree in psychology, so that is what I would do. Start checking out the undergrad psych programs at any university in your area and you will find the information you need. Here is one link to get you started. Best of luck.

Answer 2

I'm a school psychologist who has worked in three states, and I have a teacher's license, but under the area of pupil services. An earlier post made it seem like you had to have classroom experience, and an education degree, and that's not true. To be a school counselor, however, most states require that you have been a school teacher. Schools sometimes also employ Licensed Social Workers who have not been school teachers- that might work for you as well. Check around in your state to see what employment rates are!

I would suggest visiting schools that offer degrees in the program you want and starting with the person over admissions. Seek them out and let them know your case so they can advise you. Check around before you make a final decision.

Really looking at the journals of the profession so you can get an idea of what each degree entails. Psychs do a lot of psychoeducational testing, counselors do a lot of career tracking, etc. The names are misnomers, really. There are occassions where one can actually do counseling, but that's not where the bulk of time is spent for most of us- again, check your area- tap into the local associations to see what's going on- there is a lot of variability across the country.

Also check salary ranges- that will help you decide how much school you can afford! There are programs that take 2-3 years of coursework to get an Educational Specialist degree (a few courses more than a Master's), plus a year of internship (you generally get paid for this, so it's not so bad).

I would suggest not necessarily getting a full BA in psych., but taking a few classes to show graduate schools you're serious about preparing yourself. Many of the first year classes were review in my case (I have a BA in psych), and I bet lots of schools are like that. I really think it will be the 12 years out of school thing that will be the biggest hurdle to those in admissions, so taking a few classes would get you back into the swing of things and demonstrate your interest. I would take dual level classes (600 level) so that those classes you take might be applied to a master's degree. This can help you get to know faculty and meet graduate students currently in the program of interest.

Answer 3

I read the post before this one and the advice given was very good, however it was recommended to take 600 level courses so that they would be applicable to masters - but alot of universities will not let you take higher level courses unless you have the 'prerequisites' which sometimes force you to take even first year courses, to then be allowed to take the higher ones that you really want.

Once again it depends on the school, so find one that you want and call in and ask - they will be able to provide with the specific information.

Answer 4

See if you can find a college with a combined program that will allow you to get your Bachelor's and Master's in less time than each degree separately. I had a friend who screwed up in college and they wanted him to take alot of remedial courses before even starting the Master's level courses.

Answer 5

Go straight to grad school, those are the grades that count. you got a B.A. so your grades should be good enough to get a into gard school..