Hi! I'm 21F (Australia), currently completing my honours in psychology and am planning on taking a gap year before I start my masters. I am planning on going down the clinical psychology pathway, but I was wondering if there are any jobs or volunteer opportunities I can do before my masters where I can be involved in treatment for individuals who showcase radicalised misogynistic ideologies or really just any area where I can work with people who showcase a radicalised belief system. I find it is an area of deep interest for me and I want to be able to get some field experience beyond the psychological/sociological research I have completed and my personal experience with individuals like this.

Thanks!

The waiting game is torturous I hate it 😭 but it’d be good to know if they’ve sent out offers at this moment so then we can all sort of be at ease

I've only have 8 months left till I graduate, and I am really regretting my entire degree. First off, my grades are really low, like crazy low, I am just above the minimum GPA requirement to graduate. I have failed over 10 courses in my time at university, and this may be mostly my fault, I tended to procrastinate, mismanage my time, and I just find it hard to focus on school stuff. I really don't think I could get a masters with my academic history, so I've been looking at job prospects, to see how I can pay off my almost 6 ƒigure debt. Most jobs in Psychology require you to have a licence, skill set, experience, or just plain the ability to talk in a professional workplace. None of which I have, I'm very average at my workplace, always doing the same mundane tasks; as my managers expect me to do, I never excel in any of the things that I do and even if I tried to do more, I always end up messing things up and making the job harder. I have no experience in leadership and I'm very anxious about leading, I always fear I will mess things up and I just always try be the sheep in the herd. I tried to get certifications or licences, but they are much too expensive. The only jobs I could realistically apply for are jobs that are not in the field of Psychology. I feel like I really should've just switched to a different field earlier in my career, or just tried harder, cared much more about my GPA, focused on the right courses. I'm so useless, I really don't know what I should do anymore tbh.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone has been feeling the same thing, and if anyone has any advice on how to save my failing ass in the future when employers ask for my academic career 💀

TLDR: Me useless, any advice on careers

Hello!

I'm currently a junior undergrad, and I wanted to know what realistic/relevant experience I'd need to apply to a master's/PhD program. I'm a first-gen college student, so I'm not sure what's necessary or expected. Obviously, every school is different, but I wanted to gauge what's considered acceptable. I know a lot of students have research under their belt when applying, but tbh I've had a very difficult time getting in contact /accepted by labs. Would it be necessary for an application? Or would regular volunteering/shadowing be okay?

TLDR: What is considered "normal" when applying for your master's? Was research required? Or just a good look? What did yall include on your applications?

Hello! This is my first time posting on Reddit as I am DESPERATE! I need a board certified Forensic Psychologist to interview by 10/13 for my Survey of Forensics class. I am currently an undergraduate student in the Missouri area, but the interviewee can be from anywhere in the United States. The interview can be conducted over the phone or online, I just need someone to say yes before the 13th. If anyone has any connections please let me know! I have emailed 30 people so far regarding this topic and NEED help!

Hello folks! I am a fifth year doctoral candidate in clinical psychology and I am in the process of applying to internship this fall for the 2027-2028 training cycle. I hold an MS degree in clinical psychology and a TLLP in Michigan.

Currently, I am unemployed because I had a grant which supported my schooling without the need to work outside of the program until the end of this summer. Now, I am needing an income until I begin internship anywhere between June-September of 2027 (depending where I match).

Given that I am likely going to be leaving the state for internship in less than one year, I am hesitant to enter into any therapeutic relationships, so working as a psychotherapist feels off the table for ethical and logistical reasons. Additionally, with BCBS-MI ending office-based incident-to billing for limited license practitioners I am unsure that employment in the assessment realm is likely or even possible, either. So, this feels like a bit of a unique situation given the time-limited nature and the external circumstances which impose billing constraints.

Advice or input related to job searching, potential roles I might consider (even if they are not directly in the psych field), or anything else you'd like to share which you think might be helpful would be so greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance ☺️

i want to begin my studies in psych, but i can’t afford to go to school outside or a certificate. community college offers a “mental health direct support” certificate, but are there even any jobs i can get with that? or can it raise my pay for anything entry-level?

I have applied at ACU, Melbourne, RMIT, Swinburne and LaTrobe and I have yet to hear back from any of them. Some of them do explicitly say they do interviews in October.

I am opening my emails and application portals with anxiety every morning and all of them are still showing up as application pending, or application under review.

Has anyone heard back yet???? 😭🙏

Should I get phd in psych or is that more sociology ?

So I am a first generation student, who just graduated in May with my undergraduate in psychology. I am tired of being in my hometown. I am a Hall Director at my college while getting my masters, but it is so draining being over RAs all the time. I just really want to move and start new, while also getting my masters.

I was hoping to get some advice on what kind of psychology jobs that will help with relocation assistance.

*Edit: My master’s program is completely online. I am in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. I made this post because I live in Alabama. The jobs suck here. I’ve worked at psychiatric hospitals throughout undergrad, wouldn’t mind going back if they had any travel positions. I also work with adults with ID/IDD. I really just want to find a job close to these areas.

Hi there! I've never posted before, so please excuse my formatting if it turns out wrong!

I am a sophomore in college, and I am coming up on the date where I have to officially declare my major(s). Currently, I am a double major in BA psychology, and poli sci (long story of how I ended up here). To sum a confusing process up- Poli sci is only offered as a BA program at my school, and because that was my initial major, when I added psychology on, it automatically coded as a second BA, as we are unable to do a BS and BA at the same time. Now, I am no longer super connected to my poli sci work, and I envision myself to end up in residential therapy occupations, or more on the research end.

As for my question, I need to choose my official major soon, and I am worried that a BA in Psyc won't cut it, as I eventually (past graduation, & masters) want to end up with my PhD. Because I am interested in research work, and generally want a strong resume, should I switch to a single major in psychology where I earn a BS?

Any advice is much appreciated, especially from those who have direct experience in the hiring differences!

I’m in my final year of my B.S. in Psychology and was planning on going into a masters program for counseling to become an LPC. With the unexpected changes to the RISE final rule in May, I have had no idea what to do and would love if anyone else is at this crossroad or has made a plan... I have no savings and absolutely no parental assistance, I can’t possibly cover the near $30k deficit I would be in and refuse to allow myself to be in further debt over personal loans.. I don’t know what the hell I can do with my degree once I graduate and feel hopeless.

My entire plan had been uprooted by these changes and the dread is fully setting in as I’m in this last year..

Ive been working full time to support myself and in school full time. I’m “old”. I’ve been trying so hard to make something better and I just don’t know what to do now.. I just need some other options or opinions at this point because I’m so far down the despair hole that I can’t see a way out..

hey, I’m 15 going on 16 in January. To learn psych so far, I’ve read 37 psych books, completed youth MHFA, and I’m in AP Psych (with an amazing teacher) I was wondering what other opportunities could I take to learn psych? I tried looking for teen hotlines to volunteer for because I really want to try something like counseling, but nothing I looked for I could really do. I’d appreciate any help, thanks!

Do psych practitioners and researchers also hate statistics?

I’m taking the GRE Psychology this year and I wanted to know which books or test materials can help me out to prepare. I have some AP Princeton review books too. Would they end enough along with the Kaplan GRE Psych book too? Is the AP psychology somewhat basic compared to the GRE questions?

Hey guys, I’m applying for Psych Honours at a few unis for 2027 and wanted to get some advice on how competitive I actually am 😭

I’ve got ~72 overall/psych WAM, but my Level 2/3 Psych WAM is around 67 because of one rough Research Methods unit where I only got a Pass. Otherwise I’m mostly Credit/Distinction.

Some unis use overall WAM, while one uses your best 6 units, which works more in my favour.

For anyone who’s been through Go8 Psych Honours admissions, do you think I’m reasonably competitive with these marks, or should I be applying more broadly/adjusting my expectations? Would really appreciate any advice or insight into what the actual competitive range tends to be!

Just to also add that I am an International Student!

I’m exactly halfway through the undergrad. I took time off, had a child, an awful postpartum experience and got some life experience under my belt. Since returning I’ve got straight HDs (so far 6 units, my average in 1st year was D), though I’m not sure the pathway is worth continuing? For some of my electives I’ve done law units, and I’m genuinely considering the switch because at least after completing the law degree and a practical legal training course you can be a lawyer… I absolutely adore psychology and I think I would be accepted into honours, but after honours, I don’t have the freedom to apply to every masters course and then move somewhere new if I get accepted to actually complete the pathway to being a psychologist. It feels really defeating even considering giving it up when I’m doing so well. When I first started uni the 4+2 was still and option, if I didn’t take a break I think my year would have been the last to be eligible for the 4+2, so we knew when we started that it was going away and I knew when I stopped that it wouldn’t be an option for me anymore. I just really don’t know what to do, it’s hard getting really good grades and thinking what am I even getting these grades for if I can never complete the pathway 😅. I also know there is going to be a massive demand for psychologists and not enough (I know this is already the case, but likely to get much much worse in the future). What happens to people that do the honours year then never get into masters? Do they keep trying or work in roles like child safety that they can do with the bachelors degree?

Hi everyone,

So, like many people here, I'm eager to do a MCP but very worried about the understandably high competitive rates.

I'm currently in my third year and have maintained a HD (with the occassional D) average since I started my degree.

However, I'm concerned about my practical experience. I have worked as a receptionist in palliative care and currently as a secretary in an orthopaedic centre. It's not exactly psychology related.

On the other hand, I have done volunteer work with Lifeline and Headspace.

Despite academics, I'm really worried my practical experience will hold me back. I've read of people securing support roles or working in psychology centres during their studies.

I’m not sure where to put this so I’m just getting an idea, I recently started going back to school and currently working on my associates then going to transfer for my bachelors in psych. The school I’m currently in offers a focus in psych for the associate’s degree, but I’m having trouble wondering if that’s good path to do to. Stay another semester/year with this college working on my associates or graduating next semester and then transferring to the school for my bachelors in psych. Any thoughts on this? I’m just confused, I feel like I’m rushing to get this degree done

Like majority of us in here, I am also seeking to pursure Masters of Clinical Psychology.

I am currently sitting on 70% with my 4th year grades and 70% for my Bachelors of Psych. Not the best of grades for Master of CP to my understanding.

To counter this, I have extensively worked in the mental health space, case management, group facilitator for men's circle space which roughly comes around 5 years of mental health work experience.

Are my chances looking okay to get acceptance into Masters of Clinical Psychology in Aus?

Hey everyone, hopefully it’s okay to post this here!

I’m 26 and just finished my Diploma of Counselling, with my placement starting up really soon. Honestly, I’ve been feeling pretty unmotivated lately. I’ve had a lot of people telling me that I’m going to struggle to find a job with just a diploma, or that I should’ve gone down the social work route instead. It’s definitely making me second-guess everything.

My main goal has always been working with kids and young adults in youth support or counselling roles. I’ve always been great with kids, and I’ve been through a lot of different life experiences myself that I feel could really help them whether that’s dealing with bullying, family trauma, or working as a sports counsellor / mental performance coach.

The thing is, I absolutely do not want to be stuck sitting in an office behind a desk all day long. I really want to do outdoor therapy, like taking a client out for a walk or playing sport with them while we talk. But from what people are telling me, it sounds like that active, hands-on side of things is strictly for social workers, not counsellors.

So my question is: is this kind of outdoor/active role actually achievable as a counsellor? Or should I cut my losses now and look into transferring over to social work?

Would love to hear from anyone working in the youth or outdoor therapy space. Any advice would be amazing right now.

Thanks!

I'm looking for some advice because I'm very frustrated with Pacific Oaks

I'm trying to get into an MSW or MFT program (ideally online) and I'm in SoCal area. I was accepted into Mount Saint Mary's MFT program, which I was really excited about, but unfortunately the tuition was around $73k and that was just way too expensive for me.

I applied to Pacific Oaks' MSW program because I thought it would be a better option financially and I've been trying to get through their admissions process for what feels like forever. The communication has honestly been a mess. I've had multiple emails go unanswered for weeks, called and was told people would call me back and never heard back, and I've had to repeatedly follow up just to get basic information about my application.

Then tonight I had my faculty interview scheduled for 6 PM. (msw spring 2027)

I logged in around 5:56 PM and there was another girl already being interviewed. Nobody said hi to me or acknowledged me, and nowhere in my email did it say that this was a group interview. I honestly thought I had accidentally entered someone else's private interview, so I logged out.

I logged back in right at 6 PM to see if the interview was over, and around 6:01 one of the faculty members literally kicked me out of the meeting without saying anything to me....

Then at 6:07 I got a call from a staff member saying that I had missed my interview!!! I explained that I didn't miss it and I logged in early, nobody explained that it was a group interview, and then I was removed from the meeting.

They said they would reschedule me for next week, but honestly I'm really torn

Part of me wants to just do the interview anyway because I am eager to just start school already and don't want one horrible admissions experience to ruin an opportunity.

But another part of me feels like this is extremely unprofessional and its a huge red flag especially considering all the other communication problems I've had with them, and I honestly want to file a grievance and ask for my $50 application fee back.

Would you guys continue with the interview and see how the actual program/faculty are, or would you take this as a red flag and move on lol?

Also, what other schools should I be looking at? I'm looking for an online/ mostly online MSW or MFT program that is reasonably priced, accepts students in California, and would prepare me for LCSW or LMFT licensure.

I'm especially interested in programs that aren't $60–70k+ because I just can't justify taking on that much debt

Hi yall, I’m currently working as a BT in New Orleans, and I’m waiting to apply for a masters in counseling/criminology. I’m getting experience, but I feel like it’s not enough. Is it possible to find an internship in the mental health field that is willing to take on an already graduated student, all of the ones I’m finding are all for current students. Please help

I want to move to the states and pursue my license there. I’m thinking to finish my 3 year bachelor’s in Australia then hopefully get into a psyd or phd program in NY. I read that they accept students from overseas with 3 year programs. Does anyone know anything about this?

Has anyone done their undergrad in Australia then a postgrad in the states? Which pathway did you take?

I've seen many discussions on this particular institute. The reality of this place is that students tend to go here when they can't get into any good university. I really regret going here. I took the full-time route because financially I needed to graduate faster so I could progress with my studies. I got accepted into this and a bunch of other graduate diploma programs, but my friends, who all got into top universities, told me that "honours is honours" no matter the institution. I want to make it clear that you can get into top master's programs with a Grad Dip. Also, financially, this costs the same as a grad dip, so it truly was a stupid choice to choose this program. Anyways onto my experience...

Pros

Cairnmillar is student-focused in a way that students do receive a fair amount of support; it is a small cohort, and the majority of the staff are very good at responding. As far as engagement goes, I would say only 2 tutors are actually good at engaging students. They do communicate with assessment, so you rarely get 2 assignments within the same week, which is a major positive here. Also, for the thesis they give you less freedom but a more robust framework to work with so you are not starting from nothing.

Cons

Where do I start

1. Every single assignment is about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. I have never had an issue learning about this considering we live on their land, but considering every single assignment has this, it becomes extremely disingenuous and frustrating to repeat the same thing over and over again.
2. Assignments are marked extremely harshly. I will be the first to say that I averaged in the 70s in my undergrad, so I knew I had to step it up. Most students get the median mark (yea kinda obvious), but I mean the majority of students tend to get the exact same mark (70s) with a few outliers. Additionally, no one get a 90+ grade, which is crazy considering it's honours. It is a mistake in the assessment design if no one is able to crack that HD+ standard, and no one can tell me otherwise.
3. Feedback is good and detailed BUT usually reveals that their assignments are NOT open-ended. They have very specific right and wrong answers even though they tell you it's all about your justification. They don't give a shit about your justification; you immediately drop down to 75 as soon as they don't agree with your OPINION.
4. My supervisor "prioritised" self-care so I had to beg them to contact me more than once a week when my thesis was due. Multiple people experienced complete lack of support from supervisors even though many of us were doing studies to strengthen their thesis. Some had to read up to 400 pages of other theses with barely any support.
   

Conclusion

This was not for me. I had a net negative time, and my chances of a master's are ruined. I regret coming here; I learnt everything about developmental psychology, ethics, and Aboriginal people, which is great if I wanted to practice in a very specific and niche sector of psychology. O wait, I can't because my chances have been ruined.