For those who might not know - I'm a psychology major. Now I'm getting my bachelor's December next (2009). This is very exciting - however, you can't do anything in the field with a bachelor's. Upsetting, isn't it?

Initially, I was pre-med. I wanted to be a psychiatrist. (I still wouldn't mind that route.) However, last year, I decided it wasn't worth it for a few reasons. So I thought maybe grad school, a master's or doctorate, might be a little easier on me. "Nope," I decided. Instead, I'll just finish out my bachelor's (at this point, I had found out that I only had 33 credits left!) and see where we go from there.

That has been my stance until this last week or two. However, Matt thinks I should still work. (I want to have kids and then stay home to raise them...) Well these last few days, I've been super stressed over what I'm doing with my future. (It's so ominous at this moment!) I started looking into grad school. Actually, first I happened across California requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). That site also included info for becoming a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). So I found the site to become a Licensed Psychologist and found you need a doctorate. :( Then I jetted back over to the requirements for MFT (the one counseling option I am aware of that I think I could handle). California will let me license with a master's or a doctorate. I figure I can handle a master's.

So then I began searching my graduate school options in Southern California (since, hopefully, that is where we will be living by then). Well, Stanford Med popped up - and I determined that's still really what I'd like to do. However, I have again ruled it out as a viable option, for now. Part of my dillemma the last couple days has been whether or not to accessorize my schedule or post-grad schedule with the rest of the science classes I shall need to get into med school - should I decide to go that route later. However, I don't think I shall. Grad school (I was looking at numbers today) is going to cost enough as it is. I don't particularly want to take out MORE loans.

So, I figure I can do a master's degree. Some schools I'm finding that offer an MFT master's and doctorate will count master's work toward the doctorate should you choose to continue (assuming you get in obviously). So now I need to start looking into exactly HOW to get into grad school. I am going to join the ABSC (Applied Behavioral Sciences Club), and they will help with this process. I'm going to help out with their service project this saturday, which will look nice on my vita. I might join NAMI as well. One of my old professors is offering an opportunity to co-facilitate groups with DCFS too - hopefully she gets back to me and I can do that too. Another nice vita addition, as well as great experience. I am also thinking I should start going to Dr. John's research meetings and get in on that, but we'll see.

So now I'm kind of excited about the whole prospect, but as I look at admission requirements for schools, I get scared again. (There's a reason I went to UVSC - open enrollment.) But it must be done if I'm actually going to go to grad school. At least I'll have the option, right?