Hi, I am currently a masters student in counseling psychology program at a school in NYC
I intend to specialize in school counseling.. but nowdays I am having second thoughts..
First of all, I am hearing from others that it's quite hard to find a school(guidance) counseling job in NY since many schools are closing in these days when there are already only few counselors at each school.
In fact, I saw some postings on this website, that someone couldn't find a school counseling job in Long Island..and he felt that it was complete waste of time and money getting his masters degree in school counseling.
Also, I want to make sure one thing... that getting a certification in NY does not allow me to work as a school counselor in other States. Am I correct?
I am an international student...and I feel like that if this is the case, school counseling degree would be somewhat very limiting.. in terms of getting a job in related field.
Second, I am not interested in becoming a therapist or mental health counselor at all.. so I wouldn't really consider getting a degree in mental health counseling. In fact, I am interested in academic advising, college counseling, and other education related issue. I am also interested in academic motivation.. Therefore, my ultimate goal is to get a Ph.D degree in educational psychology or human development psychology.
Relating to my first question.. let's say I apply and get into some other doctoral programs in educational psychology that is in other states/coutnry. In that case, I wonder if the masters degree in school counseling would be useless outside NY..
It seems like I first get a provisional certificate after I get the degree, and I have to get a permanent certification within 5 years I obtain the provisional certification. And one of the requirement is to work as a school counselor in NY for two years.
So..if I leave NY state and decide to do a ph.d outside of NY, would my school counseling masters degree be useless?
Recently, I have been considering about switching into other programs because of the aforementiond reasons. I am thinking about three different programs.
1. Psychology in Education
2. Developmental Psycholgy
3. Organizational psychology
Among these three, I am wondering if #3 would provide me with the most opportunity in terms of getting any job with a masters degree. I am asking this because I assume that Organizational psychology would provide oppotunity in Human Resource position, and other positions in different company.. whereas #1, 2 wouldn't really provide me with much "job opportunities" without obtaining a doctorate degree in the field.
Although I want to get a ph.d in educational psychology/human development, I also want to have some backup plans in terms of getting job soley with a masters degree..in the case I don't end up getting a ph.d degree.
Initially, I thought of school counseling degree as the back up plan, but now I wonder if it would be much useful...considering its limitation..
Thanks
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