There are many options for graduate work related to psychology. Some graduate programs are in psychology departments (e.g., social, developmental, clinical, counseling, biopsychology), and some graduate programs are outside of psychology departments (e.g., social work, rehabilitation counseling, counseling in schools of education). You may want to read through this overview of graduate school options for psychology majors. Students who are trying to research options for graduate school should talk to their professors, visit the advising office in psychology, and visit the VCU career center.

Graduate School Information

If you ever have to request a letter of reference from someone, you might want to take my advice on Requesting a Recommendation Letter.

Options for graduate programs related to psychology

I have summarized some options for you here, but I also really like the information available on this page: Overview of graduate school options for psychology majors.

Students who are interested in "helping people" through counseling work have three broad options for graduate work; some options are within psychology departments and some are in other departments. One is a two-year masters-level degree (e.g., social work [MSW], marriage and family therapy (MFT), rehabilitation counseling, school counseling). The other is a five-seven year PhD degree (e.g., clinical psychology, counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work); pursuing a PhD makes the most sense for students interested in research and/or a career in academia. A third option is the PsyD.

Students who are interested in the non-clinical areas of psychology (e.g., social psychology, developmental psychology, biopsychology, industrial/organizational psychology, health psychology) have two broad options for graduate work. One is a two-year masters-level degree in a non-clinical area (e.g., an MA or MS program in general or experimental psychology); this option often makes sense when a student is not yet competitive enough to apply directly to PhD programs. The other is a five-seven year PhD psychology degree in one of the specific programs listed in the first sentence; pursuing a PhD is designed for students interested in research and/or a career in academia.

Great general resources

• Social Psychology Network - their psychology career center page includes great info about resumes, graduate programs, the GRE, etc.
• AlleyDog: a web site designed to help psychology students succeed
• Tipsheets for Psychology Students
• Psych Web: a great resource for just about any psychology information
• Psychology Resouce Central: another great resource for any psychology information
• Careers in Psychology
• Graduate Programs
• Graduate school and careers in psychology
• Applying to grad school - strategies and timelines
• Areas of specialization in psychology

Great advice about recommendation letters

• Psyc Web's page on how to get good letters of recommendation
• Social Psychology Network's page on advice on letters of recommendation
• My advice on requesting a recommendation letter