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A Phd or a Masters? Health Psychology Emphasis?

I'm going to get a Health psychology degree, but don't know whether or not to get the Masters, or the Phd. I know the Phd is heavy in research, and I don't like research, nor do I have plans to make a career out of it. I would actually like to counsel people in health related issues (hence the health psych emphasis). I know I can never be legalled called a 'psychologist' in California unless I have a Phd (and a license). But I want to work in hospitals and different health related areas to work with people. Any suggestions? REALLY HELPFUL if you've gone through this process yourself!! I'm applying to grad schools soon!

Public Comments

1. It's not an And/Or Question. It's "Do I want to stop at masters, or do I want to move up to a PhD afterwards". If you do not plan to make a career out of the degree, then I would recommend stoping at the Masters. The PhD is a research paper that you have to write on your specialty, and it must be about something that has not been written on yet, or something new about something that has been written on (IE a new developement or theory that YOU made). The PhD is also what will give you the title "Dr.". If you want to work in that area, I would recommend getting your PhD in it.
2. I will be applying for a Psych Masters soon as well...I took a year off to do it...and I have been told that the Masters actually opens MORE doors then the PhD these days because of the fees...people are more likely to join support groups or get counselling from a Masters holder because the charge is WAY cheaper.. Then again, I am not sure how it works in California...my cousin holds a clinical masters and she organizes this psychology test centre...she sees that the case gets directed to the right clinician and is like a manager of some sorts... I'm also very interested in health psych...I am currently working with cancer patients and teaching them coping skills and helping people with grief issues...but this is more of a social work area then it is psych...so again, it all depends... My plan is to aim for a Counselling Masters...and see what happens.... and besides, you can get a Masters and go for the PhD later...unless you have no choice but to either get a Masters or do a combined program (we have that here for clinical, as there is no clinical masters...you either get a Phd or nothing)... Hope some of this helped...if not check local hospitals and try finding out what people's credentials are...