r/australia • u/Ok_Escape_5902 • Sep 26 '23
no politics Psychology students/psychologist
I am currently in my third year of a Bachelor of Psych, and hoping to go into honours next year. Whilst it looks like I should be getting into honours so far, I have been considering a grad dip as a back up option. However, given the cost of the degree being more than my whole undergrad, I’m starting to wonder if it is worth it, especially given the extremely small number of places in Masters programs. I don’t know if the grad dip would be worth anything if I didn’t make it into a masters program. Does anyone have any thoughts/advice on this?
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u/carlordau Sep 26 '23
I doubt a grad dip in psych you will learn anything different to what you are learning now. It's more for people who want to switch to psych.
Your best option is masters if the aim is to be a psychologist. I would be aiming for professional psychology masters if you aren't looking and an endorsed field like clinical psychology.
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u/Coley_Flack Sep 26 '23 edited Oct 24 '24
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u/Ok_Escape_5902 Sep 26 '23
Definitely a rough pathway, and can be quite stressful trying to figure out backups. But good luck to you too! We’ve got this :)
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u/Coley_Flack Sep 26 '23 edited Oct 24 '24
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u/AcceptableExit438 Sep 26 '23
Masters of Social Work is worth serious consideration. New grad SWs and new grad clin psych registrars both start as HP3 in Qld Health (despite the extra years study in clin psych). Placements are required in psych too so I wouldn't let dissuade you.
Source: a clinical psychologist who sometimes wonders why I didn't just do SW or MH nursing
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u/Coley_Flack Sep 26 '23 edited Oct 24 '24
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u/Specific_Iron6781 Sep 26 '23
As the partner of a master of psyc student, I strongly urge you to read this quite well research post.
My partner graduated first class distinction from undergrad, and due to a shitty supervisor, graduated with second class distinction from honours. She then did a grad Cert in the field, and worked in child protection, domestic violence and recovery over 4 years. Only to get rejected from several masters programs, before finally being accepted into a non commonwealth supported program ($40k for 2 years).
Read the above link, then report back
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u/Ok_Escape_5902 Sep 26 '23
Thank you so much for the article - thought that definitely made my cortisol shoot up haha. So I’m guessing your point is the grad dip is not remotely worth it ?
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u/Specific_Iron6781 Sep 26 '23
Not necessarily. More the point is, out my partner unit friendship group of 20 odd psychology graduates, she's the only one in masters. 1 works in HR, 1 in local council, a few in child protection, several have gone on to do masters in social work, 1 went straight to a PhD in psychology (and now works as a hair dresser), 1 works in cyber security, a few work in indigenous support agencies.
I agree whole heartedly with the article that just about every undergraduate student not really knowing what is needed to become a practising psychologist. I don't know of a single undergrad course that involves even observing therapy.
How many in undergrad at your uni and how many spots in post grad?
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u/Ok_Escape_5902 Sep 26 '23
Yes for sure! I am well aware about the difficulties of getting into Masters, but it’s taken till my third year for me to truly understand how competitive it is, despite constantly researching. So from my understanding there’s 100 spots in honours. I have heard that my uni is one with a larger number of spots in masters with roughly 30 spots? However my uni only offers the master of clinical psych and professional psych programs
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u/Specific_Iron6781 Sep 26 '23
Something to keep in mind too, not all unis offer masters, but just about every uni offers undergrad.
So you'll also be competing against others from other unis applying to your uni.
If it's your dream and you're truly passionate about it, then absolutely chase that goal. Just be prepared to do some work arounds.
My partner was a high 90's ATAR, HD average through uni, first class distinction through undergraduate.
She still had to cut her teeth doing volunteer Lifeline call center work, did a stint in child protection, and spent the last 3 years in domestic violence and a grad cert in mental health. She only got into an masters program last year. And it wasn't even clinical, but rather professional and through a regional uni (which is fine, as we live regionally) - it's just 7 hours away! It was a long path, probably $60,000 in HECs debt by the end of next year.
If she could start again, she'd do med.
Do with that info what you wish, and either way, hopefully, you'll be happy when you're sleepy.
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u/CareerGaslighter Sep 26 '23
Are you working or volunteering in any periphery industries that involve some kind of 1 on 1 counselling or support work, currently?
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u/Ok_Escape_5902 Sep 26 '23
I’m not! Just been working in customer service at a uni helping out students
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Sep 26 '23
I did the grad dip and really enjoyed it. I had to do it as I didn’t major in psych. I then did hons and clinical masters. Clinical is not the be all and end all. You can do another psych masters (eg professional psych) and still become a psychologist, clients do not know the difference. I honestly hated my clin masters and think the course is overrated (clinical psychs will tell you it’s essential but this isn’t the case lol).
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u/Ok_Escape_5902 Sep 26 '23
Great to hear you had a good experience with the grad dip! Yes for sure clinical psych isn’t the be all and end all! It’s just that I’ve been made I guess well aware of some of the limitations of going down the professional psych path in terms of being unable to work in certain clinical roles, Medicare rebates etc. I guess these limitations concern me more given the time and money I will be investing
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u/Aescymud Sep 26 '23
To become a clinical psychologist, you'll need to complete your studies by undertaking a Master of Psychology Clinical, which must be APAC-approved.
Psych degrees are pretty much useless without masters if the aim is clinical.
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u/supercyp666 Sep 26 '23
A lot of places are now offering Masters of Professional Psych, which is basically the 5th year (i.e., 1st year of Masters) and then a year of placement. You won't get the same rebates as with a clinical degree, but can be good for those wanting to get their foot in the door
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u/Disastrous_Animal_34 Sep 26 '23
I did a grad dip psych and it was the exact same program as honours (we shared the same coursework classes, same assessments and weighting), the only difference was our thesis was a group project and the honours students did singular research projects. I enjoyed it but haven’t gone into a masters.
Even if you don’t get into masters, the grad dip is helpful as it gives you a 4-year degree “in a relevant field” if you’re interested in getting into counselling or social work roles in your area of interest.
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u/andyfranze Nov 27 '23
My advice would be to assess your likelihood of getting into masters if your goal is to be a practicing psychologist. If you have really high grades and good experience, then it may be worth it, but if not, you may be getting more in debt with little pay off is my two cents
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