Applying to Graduate School in Clinical Psychology and the Mental Health Professions

Each year, thousands of applicants are considered for admission to training programs in clinical psychology, social work, counseling, and other mental health-related fields. Many of these programs are highly competitive and have stringent admissions requirements. Although applicants are often tempted to apply to every program they can find and hope for the best, this approach does more harm than good to their chances of acceptance. A carefully planned application strategy is more effective in the long run.

Narrowing Your Options: Choosing a Career Path

Some of the most common professionals in mental health include clinical and counseling psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and counselors. Although in the real world these mental health professionals often work side-by-side, there are important differences in the nature of their training and the types of work that they are prepared to do. Graduate programs in each of these fields vary in duration, training requirements, and areas of focus.

Before applying to graduate school, it's usually best to decide on a specific career path and then investigate training programs that are consistent with that choice. It's helpful to visit the web sites of professional organizations, such as the American Psychological Association, to gain a better understanding of what professionals in each field actually do. Getting information from these organizations will also give you insight into important professional issues that might affect your career.

Depending on how soon you want to be in professional practice, you may opt for a career that requires fewer years of education, such as counseling, over a career that requires a lengthy (and expensive) education, such as psychiatry. On the other hand, you are likely to earn a higher salary holding a doctoral degree, and the highest level of training may give you more flexibility in the types of work you can do. It's crucial to consider the costs and benefits of different levels of education as you determine a career path. This decision is possibly the most important step in the process - take your time.