fun fun - i love my phd program!

I got accepted to my first choice grad school! I'm in the Master's in School/Community Counseling, which is preparation for Christian Counseling. Anybody else go to grad school for a psych degree? I have no clue what to expect!

I'm in Grad school for my Masters in Counseling with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy though I'll also be qualified to practice general community counseling as well.

Classes are, IMO, easier than undergrad. Less busywork and more in depth discussions. I enjoy my classes a LOT :)

Prepare to have your values questioned. And to question them yourself. If this isn't a school that teaching you Christian based counseling, you're going to butt heads with a lot of your classmates regularly. Part of being a counselor, I'm learning, is acknowledging that even if you disagree with your client's lifestyle, you can't just refuse to see that client because of it. Ethics will blow your mind ;)

I'm certainly not saying that it's impossible to be Christian and counsel, particularly if you intend to work for a faith based organization, but be willing to be challenged a lot on the way toward getting your degree.

/Catholic and a counseling student
//But I'm a rather liberal Catholic I'll admit
///Not that there's anything wrong with that ;)

I just started a new DVM thread but I should have just posted it on this thread instead. Silly me.:o

I got accepted to all 4 of the schools I applied to. The one I really, really wanted to go to, I wasn't sure if I would get accepted there, but I did.:p I'm going to school to be a DVM. I love animals, so it's something I've always wanted to do. I'm really nervous, I just hope I do well.

I've actually been doing some research regarding a Master's in Counseling. My BA is in an unrelated subject, so now I have to take some classes as pre-reqs. But how did you like the program all together? And how long did it take to finish? TIA

I'm 4 weeks away (wooo hooo!!!) from finishing my Master's in school counseling, so let me know if you have any questions!

What's some advice you'd give to a first year student? I plan to start classes in the fall. (Also in Counseling)

Happy hours are your friend :p j/k

Do NOT procrastinate!!!

I'm just finishing up my first year (fall-summer) and I really like the program. My university's department is not the best as far as organization (although they've hired a new professor so that should help) but the classes are great. I haven't done my practicum yet and frankly it scares me sometimes to think ahead to it, but I think I'll manage alright when I get there.

Definately don't procrastinate. There's usually a big difference from undergrad to grad. There's less busy work, but more projects and independant work. Half the time the class periods don't discuss the reading assignments at all but instead focus on presentations or other discussion/group topics and projects.

Keep up with the reading. Work ahead on your projects. Talk to your professors and advisor They're not just there to advise you on your schedules but are willing to help you professionally.

Ask Questions! Class participation is important not just for your grade but for your actual knowledge level. It's the best way to learn, particularly from your classmates who may have professional experience already.

I agree with all of this! Also, sometimes its helpful to outline the chapters- but you'll learn which classes you have to do this in, and which classes won't even use the book :p

What type of counseling are you doing?

The one thing I've learned in grad school is that I'm no longer learning for the grade, I'm learning for my career (and by correlation, for other people).

(Did you mean me? Marriage and Family)

If you meant me, I'm doing community or mental health counseling, depending on which program accepts me. Eventually, I'm going back (to UNC, hopefully) for the PhD in either Clinical or Developmental Psychology.

time to hit the books
 

A few years back, I was going to do a grad program in educational leadership, college personnel services, with an emphasis in student affairs.
I was accepted provisionally, which was fine, I knew I could handle it because I earned As in graduate level classes I took while working full-time.
But I was accepted at an out-of-state school, and before I was to start, non-resident tuition went way up. Loans weren't something I wanted to take on, and the school didn't include grad assistantships as part of the program.
I took a time out. I know student affairs is the area I want to work in, and to to it, I need to do grad studies. So, this fall, it's back to school I go, in state, closer to home.
I tip my hat to those who did well on the GRE. I took it a few years ago, and it reflected I was breathing. I have yet to do well on a standardized test, so much so my high school counselor deemed me too dumb for college.
I tuned her out and earned two BAs.

Hey good luck w/ your program this fall. I'm in a student affairs program now out in DC. It's great! I hope you love your program. What kind of work do you want to eventually do when you finish? Or are you already working in student affairs?