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From time to time UTEP students have sought my advice about careers in mental health or human services. In this little pamphlet I try to answer the questions that are most commonly asked. I hope it is helpful to you as you consider your future.

It's worth thinking broadly about the type of work performed by professionals in mental health and human services. Here are examples of the types of jobs available.

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING: Many mental health professionals provide individual or group counseling to clients with emotional or psychiatric problems. Such professionals tend to work in agencies, although some have private practices.

COLLEGE COUNSELING: A small number of professionals work in college counseling centers, like the one at UTEP. Such professionals provide individual or group counseling, usually on a short-term basis, to students who are experiencing emotional distress.

CAREER COUNSELING: Some professionals work in career counseling services, like the one at UTEP. These professionals do not typically deal with clients' emotional or psychiatric problems. Instead, their job is to help clients consider and select among different career options.

MENTAL HEALTH TESTING AND ASSESSMENT: Some professionals with an M.A. or Ph.D. in psychology are specialists in psychological testing and assessment. These professionals may spend much of their time (a) interviewing patients and gathering their psychiatric history, (b) administering and interpreting personality tests such as the MMPI-2, and (c) administering and interpreting tests that measure possible brain dysfunction.

INPATIENTS: Some professionals work with seriously or acutely disturbed patients in hospital settings. For example, some mental health professionals provide crisis and short-term care at hospitals like Thomason in El Paso. Other professionals work with more chronically hospitalized patients, for example at the El Paso State Center or the State Hospital in Big Springs.

OUTPATIENT MENTALLY ILL: Some professionals work with seriously mentally ill patients who are living outside of hospitals. For example, several professionals at the Life Management Center in El Paso work with such clients, making home visits or running day programs. Some professionals work in community residential facilities or half-way houses for the mentally ill.

DRUG AND ALCOHOLISM: Quite a few professionals work primarily with clients who have serious problems with alcohol or drugs. Such professionals may provide group or individual therapy or education. They may work with clients in residential settings, half-way houses, or outpatient clinics.

CHILDREN: Some professionals work primarily with children who have emotional disturbances. Common approaches include individual therapy, group therapy, play therapy, art therapy, or movement therapy.

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY: Some professionals work for school districts. Their work usually involves (a) psychological testing for possible learning disabilities, (b) testing and assessment for emotional disturbances, and (c) helping school staff to deal with disruptive children.

GERIATRICS: Some professionals work primarily with elderly patients. This is a field that is growing and will continue to grow, as the proportion of individuals over 65 increases. Such professionals may work primarily with elderly patients with severe disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease. Other professionals may work with elderly patients who are experiencing stress from health problems or other situational factors.

RETARDED OR AUTISTIC PATIENTS: Some professionals specialize in working with patients who are retarded or autistic. Such professionals may live with patients in group homes, or may participate in special training or educational programs for the retarded.

MEDICAL PATIENTS: Some mental health professionals work with patients in medical settings. For example, such professionals may teach stress-management techniques to hospital patients awaiting surgery, or work in pain control programs for patients who experience chronic pain.

CHILD ABUSE: Some mental health professionals work with abused children. For example, some professionals work with Protective Services -- they may investigate cases of suspected abuse, or arrange for abused children to be put into temporary foster care. Some professionals specialize in providing therapy to abused children.

SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES: Some mental health professionals work in agencies that provide services to people in financial need or with temporary practical problems. For example, such professionals may work at half-way houses for battered women, pregnant teens, or with food stamp programs for the poor.

CORRECTIONS: Some mental health professionals work in correctional institutions, providing counseling and/or testing of prisoners.

FORENSICS: Some mental health professionals do work that involves legal issues and the courtroom. Such professionals may (a) assess individuals to see if they are mentally or emotionally disabled, (b) test individuals to see if they are competent to stand trial and/or insane, or (c) do pre-sentencing evaluations of prisoners who have been convicted of a crime.

WORKING WITH THE WELL: Some mental health professionals work with "the well." For example, some professionals work in programs for smoking cessation, weight-control, or health-promotion.

TEACHING: Some mental health professionals go on to teach in universities, colleges, junior colleges, or even high schools. A Ph.D. is required to teach in nearly all universities and colleges, and in many junior colleges.

RESEARCH AND EVALUATION: Some mental health professionals perform research or evaluations. These professionals often work in universities, but may have jobs in business, mental health organizations, or government.

ADMINISTRATION: In almost all the types of work named here, mental health professionals may work directly with clients, or may have a position that involves administration and supervision of other professionals who are providing these services.

PRIVATE PRACTICE: A fair number of mental health practitioners set up their own "private practices." Private practice is becoming less common, however, and current trends are toward work in agency and group settings.

Counseling

Counseling programs are usually located within the College of Education in universities. Some programs allow students to "specialize" in a particular kind of counseling, such as (a) school counseling (in elementary or high schools), (b) college counseling, (c) vocational counseling, or (d) mental health or "community" counseling.

A typical masters program in Counseling lasts 2 years and provides coursework and field experience. Many Masters programs in Counseling do NOT require students to complete a thesis. Some universities offer Ph.D. programs in Counseling, which typically last two to three years longer than Masters programs (i.e. a total of 4 or 5 years). Such programs usually prefer that applicants already have a Master's degree in Counseling and some work experience at the Master's level before entering the doctoral program. Ph.D. programs in Counseling typically provide training in therapy, assessment (testing), and diagnosis, and require students to complete a dissertation. Both Masters and Ph.D. programs in counseling require students to complete supervised work experiences known as "externships" or "internships."

After graduating, a Masters-level counselor may find work as (a) a mental health counselor (either in an agency or sometimes in private practice), or (b) a school counselor. In Texas, a Masters-level counselor may become licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), which allows him/her to work in an agency or in private practice. After gaining experience, Masters-level counselors may become administrators or supervisors in mental health agencies. A Ph.D.-level graduate may (a) establish a private practice as a psychologist, (b) work as an administrator or supervisor in an agency, or (c) become a college teacher. There are other job possibilities, but these seem to be among the most common.

Clinical Psychology

Clinical Psychology programs are all located in the Psychology departments of universities. Masters programs in Clinical Psychology generally last two years and require a thesis. Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psychology generally last 5 to 7 years after the bachelor's degree, including internship and completion of a dissertation.

Clinical Psychology programs resemble Counseling programs in some ways, but usually differ from them in the following respects:

(1) Clinical Psychology programs focus primarily on treatment and assessment of psychological disorders (no vocational or school counseling); (2) The admissions requirements of Clinical Psychology programs are usually tougher. (3) The emphasis on science is usually stronger in Clinical Psychology than it is in Counseling. For example, Clinical Psychology programs are more likely to require students to take classes on learning and memory, social psychology, and the biological and neurological bases of behavior. Clinical psychology programs tend to place more importance on statistics and research methods classes, and students are expected to work on several research projects during their graduate careers. Clinical psychology students are more frequently trained to ask the question, "What is the scientific evidence that this type of psychotherapy, or this assessment technique, really works?" However, these three generalizations don't apply in all cases.

After graduating, a Masters-level psychologist may find work as

(a) a counselor in a mental health agency, or (b) an assistant to a Ph.D. psychologist (doing testing or therapy). In Texas, a Masters-level psychologist may become licensed as a Psychological Associate (PA), which allows him/her to work under the supervision of a licensed Ph.D. psychologist, but not in private practice. After gaining experience Masters-level clinical psychologists may become administrators or supervisors in mental health agencies. A Ph.D.-level Clinical Psychologist may (a) establish a private practice as a psychologist, (b) work as an administrator or supervisor in an agency, (c) become a college teacher, or (d) become a mental health researcher. There are other job possibilities, but these seem to be the most common.

The field of Clinical Psychology is becoming increasingly split between those who strongly espouse the importance of science, and those who do not. Most clinical psychology programs fall into one of the following three groups:

(1) Programs with a strong scientific orientation that primarily train researchers. The University of Washington (in Seattle) is an example of a university with a Ph.D. program of this type. Although clinical psychology students there are trained to work with patients, the program's main emphasis is on research. This program is an excellent choice for students who plan to become college professors or researchers.

(2) Programs with a strong scientific orientation that train practitioners and some researchers. The University of Arizona (in Tucson) is an example of a university with a Ph.D. program of this type. Clinical Psychology students at the University of Arizona are given extensive training in science and research, but after graduation most of them find jobs as practitioners, doing therapy, testing, or administrative work. The Masters program in Clinical Psychology at UTEP is another program with a strong scientific orientation that trains practitioners. In my opinion, programs like those at the University of Arizona and UTEP are an excellent choice for students who plan to work as practitioners or administrators. Students who are considering a career in college teaching or research may also consider doctoral programs like the University of Arizona. I received a degree at the University of Arizona.

(3) Programs with a weak scientific orientation that train practitioners. A fair number of clinical psychology programs have only a weak connection with science. Often they teach forms of psychotherapy or psychological testing that have a weak scientific basis. These programs are frequently chosen by students who wish to avoid courses in statistics and research methods. The problem is that students may be poorly trained to think about their work in a scientific and critical way. In my opinion, students should avoid programs of this type. Such programs can be hard to identify, however, because they often give "lip service" to science, and may claim to be scientifically oriented in their admissions materials.

Child Clinical Psychology

This is a sub-specialty within Clinical Psychology. There are several ways to become a "child clinical psychologist." (1) Attend a program that specializes in training child clinical psychologists. There are only a few programs like this in the U.S. (2) Attend a regular Clinical Psychology program, but earn a second Ph.D. in a field such as "Child Development." This is not so impossible or time-consuming as it might sound. (3) Attend a regular Clinical Psychology program, then do an internship at an institution devoted to the treatment of children. (4) Earn a Ph.D. in a Developmental Psychology program, then do a clinical internship.

The Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology)

Most Psy.D. programs are located in privately run "professional schools" rather than in universities. The basic idea of a Psy.D. program sounds very logical: to train students to be practitioners rather than researchers in the field of clinical psychology. The courses offered in Psy.D. programs tend to resemble those offered in Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psychology. An internship and dissertation are required, although some Psy.D. programs accept "theoretical" dissertations, which do not involve any research by the student.

The number of practitioners with "Psy.D's" has increased greatly in the past ten years. Students considering the Psy.D. might consider the following points: (1) For purposes of licensure, the Psy.D. is considered equivalent to the Ph.D. There are several psychologists with the Psy.D. who practice in the El Paso area. (2) The entrance requirements for Psy.D. programs are generally lower than those for Ph.D. programs. The good news is that it's easier to get into a Psy.D. program. The bad news is that, as a group, Psy.D. students aren't as bright as Ph.D. students. (3) Professional schools that offer the Psy.D. tend to be privately owned and have rather high tuition. They do not usually offer the various forms of financial support that are available to Ph.D. graduate students in publicly owned universities. (4) It has been claimed that the graduates of many (not all) Psy.D. programs are often poorly trained in the scientific bases of psychological practice. Most Psy.D. programs seem to resemble the third type of Ph.D. program that I mentioned earlier: a weak scientific orientation, training practitioners.

School Psychology

Programs in School Psychology are usually located in the College of Education of universities. There are Masters and Ph.D. programs in School Psychology. School Psychologists specialize in the following areas: (a) Psychological testing of school children for possible intellectual or emotional problems; and (b) diagnosis and treatment of learning and behavioral disorders in children.

Doctoral programs in School Psychology take about 4 years to complete. They usually require a one-year, half-time internship and a dissertation. Upon graduation, school psychologists typically take jobs in schools, where they do psychological testing and work with children who have learning or behavior problems. Some school psychologists establish their own practices and provide therapy to children with emotional problems.

Social Work

Masters programs in Social Work typically take two years to complete. Some programs allow students to specialize in (a) community work (the traditional type of social work), or (b) mental health (an increasingly common area of social work). In addition, some programs allow students to specialize in

(a) direct services to clients, or (b) administration. Some Social Work programs offer the M.S.W. degree (Master of Social Work), whereas others offer the M.S.S.W. degree (Master of Science in Social Work). The two types of programs are fairly similar, except that M.S.S.W. programs typically require students to take one or two courses on research methods, and to complete a thesis.

Following graduation, social workers may enter a wide variety of jobs, depending on the training they have received. In El Paso, social workers (a) become therapists in agencies, (b) work for Child Protective services, the Department of Economic Security, and other public agencies, (c) find work in community service agencies, for example the Women's Crisis Center or other programs that work directly with clients in need, and (d) work in other settings too numerous to name. After gaining experience, social workers often "work their way up" to become administrators or supervisors in private or public agencies.

There are some doctoral programs in Social Work. Most individuals with a doctorate in Social Work become professors and teach in university Social Work programs.

M. D. --- Psychiatry

Psychiatrists are M.D.'s who specialize in working with patients with mental and emotional problems. Psychiatrists attend medical school, just like other doctors, then receive extra training in the area of psychiatry. Psychiatrists are the only mental health professionals who can prescribe medications for mental disorders. At present, psychologists and social workers cannot prescribe medications. It is possible that this situation may change in the future, however, so that psychologists may be able to prescribe medications for some psychological disorders under limited circumstances.

After graduation, psychiatrists follow the "career path" typical of other M.D.'s. They may work in a hospital setting or set up a private practice. A few psychiatrists go into research. A fair number of psychiatrists end up working as administrators or clinical supervisors in institutions that provide mental health services.

Psychiatric Nursing

Some nurses receive special training in working with patients with emotional or psychiatric problems. Such nurses may work in mental hospitals or clinics. Some go into private practice. I don't know much about the training of psychiatric nurses. My impression is that they receive the same basic education as other nurses, but with special training and work experience in psychiatric care.

Undergraduates considering a career in mental health services might also be interested in some other options, which I will briefly describe here.

Masters in Public Health (M.P.H.)

Most M.P.H. programs take about two years to complete. Graduates work in a wide variety of jobs, some of which have a "mental health" or "behavioral" emphasis. For example, one of my friends with an M.P.H. works in treatment programs for drug and alcohol abuse. Another is an administrator in a program for retarded and autistic children. Another supervises a state program to increase people's use of car seats for infants. Another works in an anti-smoking program. Much public health work nowadays focuses on changing people's behaviors -- and thus overlaps with psychology.

Ph.D. in Applied Research

UTEP currently has a Ph.D. program in "Applied Research." Some students specialize in "industrial/organizational psychology," and learn how to apply psychological knowledge in business and organizational settings. Other students specialize in "Health" (including "Mental Health"), and learn how to apply research methodology to evaluating the success of health or mental health programs. The program takes about 5 or 6 years to complete, and requires a "field placement" (like an internship) and a research-based dissertation.

A degree in "applied research" is suitable for someone who would like to work for a large organization (i.e. business or government) doing research. Most jobs in applied research are located in big cities, or in the seats of government (such as Austin or Washington, D.C.).

Ph.D. in Law and Psychology

There are a few programs in the U.S. that offer (a) a Ph.D. in Law and Psychology, or (b) a joint program with a J.D. in Law and a Ph.D in Psychology, or (c) a Ph.D. in Psychology (cognitive, clinical, or forensic) with a special concentration in law. For example, the University of Arizona (in Tucson) offers a Ph.D. in Law and Psychology, and a joint law/psychology program. Many students in that program earn both a law degree and a Ph.D. in psychology. Graduates of these programs typically (a) become professors in law schools or psychology departments, or (b) go to work for government programs, in positions that require an expertise in both law and psychology.

Ph.D. in Evaluation

Evaluation is a growing field. An evaluator typically works for the government or a government-funded institution. The evaluator's job is to determine whether a particular program

(a) is being carried out effectively, and/or (b) is having the impact that was intended. As an example, in Texas there is now a government program to increase the number of minority students who receive university training in science. Evaluators are studying (a) whether the program is being carried out properly by the universities who have received money from the government, and (b) whether the program really is having the intended impact on minority enrollment in science.

Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Some psychologists work with industry to improve morale, increase productivity, or improve organizational performance. Students interested in this kind of work might consider the "Applied Research" program offered in the psychology department at UTEP, or the various Ph.D. programs in I/O psychology offered around the U.S.

Ph.D. in Educational Psychology

Individuals trained in Educational Psychology have special training in psychological testing, particular tests related to academic potential and performance. Some educational psychologists work for companies that develop psychological tests (one of the big ones is in San Antonio). Other educational psychologists work for school districts or state departments of education, particularly in the area of standardized testing. Other educational psychologists are college professors. Educational Psychology can be an attractive choice for students who are good at mathematics and interested in intellectual assessment. A typical Ph.D. program takes four or five years.

1. A graduate degree is not just a piece of paper.

I have sometimes heard students say that they are getting a graduate degree because they "need the piece of paper." I'm always sad to hear this. Graduate school can be a rewarding experience, a real opportunity to learn and grow. Students who just "jump the hurdles" in order to "get a piece of paper" are missing out on the best and most important part of graduate education -- the chance to grow professionally and personally.

Think carefully when you choose a graduate program. It is important to find a well-run program that is suited to your particular needs and ambitions. You can be a better person, and a greater service to your community, if you attend the right program. In the following sections I discuss some things that you may want to consider if you are trying to select a graduate program in the field of mental health.

2. The kind of work you want to do

You will find it easier to chose a graduate program if you already know what kind of work you want to do "in the long run." Do you want mainly to do therapy? Testing? Administrative work? Research? What sort of populations do you want to work with? The elderly? Children? Seriously mentally ill patients? Retarded individuals?

If you can answer these questions -- even partially -- then you will find it easier to identify programs that match your needs. For example, if you want to be a researcher or professor, then you should definitely look at schools with a strong scientific orientation and a national reputation for academic excellence. On the other hand, if you want to do clinical work with the elderly you should look for programs that offer special training and internship opportunities in that area.

3. Geographical area where you plan to live

It is worth considering where you expect to live after you receive your graduate training.

(1) If you are certain that you will continue to live in El Paso, then there are certain advantages to attending graduate school here. For one thing, you are likely to make "connections" during graduate school that will be helpful after you graduate. Some of these "connections" may open the door to your first job. Such considerations are not all-important, however. In fact, I have often advised students to attend school outside of El Paso even though they intended to return here to work. In general, I don't recommend attending graduate school in El Paso if a program elsewhere better fits your needs.

(2) Maybe you know that after graduation you intend to live in a certain place -- let's say, in Oregon. In that case you might want to take a careful look at the available graduate programs in Oregon. As I've already discussed, there are some advantages to attending school in the same area where you intend to work. On the other hand, there are also other things to consider.

(3) Maybe you really aren't sure where you will live after you graduate. Actually, this is probably true for most people -- even the ones who expect to spend the rest of their lives in El Paso! Life has a way of complicating our lives. A person may plan to spend the rest of his/her life in El Paso. But then he/she falls in love with an irresistible person from Alaska and moves north to live among polar bears and caribou. The point to remember is this: it's often a good idea to select the graduate school that fits your needs and abilities best, and not worry too much about where it's located. A degree from a really good graduate program will earn you respect wherever you live -- in El Paso or anywhere else.

4. Admission requirements of the program

The admissions committees of graduate programs generally look at five things:

These five things carry different weight depending on the particular graduate program. Here are a few generalizations (to find out about the admissions criteria of a particular program, you will need to write directly to the program and ask for an information packet):

(a) Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology with a scientific emphasis usually look first at undergraduate GPA and GRE scores. These programs want good students who can "survive" the academic demands of graduate school. Such programs also consider the research experience of the student, which is assumed to reflect an interest in science and research.

(b) Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology with less emphasis on science also look at GPA's and GRE's. They may ask to interview prospective students, to judge their suitability as future therapists. These programs may also give some preference to students who have had experience working in mental health settings.

(c) Ph.D. programs in Counseling consider GPA and GRE scores to be important, but will often accept lower grades and GRE scores than Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psychology. Ph.D. programs in Counseling generally prefer students who already have work experience -- preferably as a Masters-level counselor.

(d) Social Work programs will often accept students whose GPA or GRE is not high enough for Ph.D. programs. Social work programs often place a great deal of emphasis on prospective students' work experience, maturity, and letters of recommendation.

(e) Masters programs in Clinical Psychology and Counseling usually look at the same things as Ph.D. programs. However, Masters programs accept lower grades and GRE scores than Ph.D. programs.

(e) Students who want to become psychiatrists must go through the regular admission process for medical school. This means taking the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and having good grades as an undergraduate, particularly in science courses.

5. Cost of the program / Availability of financial support

This is a complicated issue. I will simply make a few points. First, nearly all Ph.D. programs, and some Masters programs, provide "financial support" for graduate students in the form of research or teaching assistantships. Assistants usually work 15-20 hours per week. The pay isn't great, but it does help to defray some of the expenses of graduate school.

Second, it is usually possible for graduate students to obtain loans for the time that they are in school. Most graduate students finance their education by (a) working as research or teaching assistants, and (b) supplementing their income with loans, which can be paid back after graduation.

Third, some graduate programs are more expensive than others, or offer less attractive forms of financial support. The only way to find out about a particular program is to write away for admissions information. If you are admitted to a particular program, you should talk directly with the admissions committee about financial support, including the amount of support and the length of time it will be available after you enter the program.

Fourth, some graduate programs are eager to attract students with strong academic backgrounds and/or minority students. If you have a high undergraduate GPA or belong to a minority group, you may have special luck obtaining financial support in the form of loans, assistantships, or even outright grants of money. I discuss this issue later when I describe Project 1000.

5.  Licensing

The law in many states requires mental health professionals of various kinds to be licensed. For example, in Texas there is licensing for (a) Psychologists (Ph.D. level), (b) Psychological Associates (Masters level), (c) Counselors (Masters level), and (d) Social Workers (MSW or MSSW).

It is helpful to know something about the licensure laws before you enter graduate school. For example (as I will discuss later) a Psychologist or Social Worker who has attended an unaccredited graduate program will generally find it more difficult to obtain licensure. This is worth knowing before you choose a graduate school. As another example, I happen to know a very competent individual who received a Ph.D. in "Counseling." When she tried to obtain a license in Texas, however, she was turned down. The Texas licensure regulations state that the word "Psychology" must appear in the name of the degree. If this woman's Ph.D. had been in "Counseling Psychology," she would have been eligible. But because her Ph.D. was simply in "Counseling," she could not be licensed in Texas.

As another example, in Texas licensed Social Workers can set up their own independent practices. However, licensed Psychological Associates (with a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology) cannot set up independent practices, but instead must work under the supervision of a licensed Ph.D. psychologist. Thus, the licensing law makes it more attractive in some ways to be a social worker than a Psychological Associate.

7. Quality / Accreditation of the program

Some graduate programs are high quality, others are not. Just like apples. But with apples, you can squeeze them, smell them. With graduate programs you have to depend on brochures or the smooth talk of some professor, which can sometimes be misleading.

One clue to the quality of a professional graduate program is its accreditation. Accreditation means that a particular program was examined by an accrediting organization (such as the American Psychological Association) and found to meet certain minimal levels of educational adequacy. Here are some of the most relevant forms of accreditation:

Accreditation doesn't always tell the whole story about a graduate program. For example, I know some very poor Ph.D. programs that have received accreditation. On the other hand, if a program does NOT have accreditation, that's almost always a bad sign: in one way or another, the program doesn't meet minimal educational standards. My general advice to students is to avoid any social work program, or any Ph.D. program in clinical psychology, counseling, or school psychology, that is not accredited.

It is worth noting that for some forms of licensure (psychologist, social worker) state law may require graduation from an accredited program in the relevant field. Students who graduate from unaccredited programs may therefore have trouble obtaining a license to practice.

But let's assume that a program is accredited. How can you tell if it is "good quality" or "low quality"? This can be a difficult question to answer. The admissions materials provided by programs may give some clues, but can be misleading. Sometimes you can find out by asking people who work in the relevant mental health field. For example, sometimes social workers can say whether a particular program has a good reputation, or clinical psychologists can tell you about the reputation of a particular Ph.D. program. Sometimes it is helpful to inquire about (a) what sorts of internships or field placements have been obtained by students in the program (students from poor programs often obtain rather undesirable internships or placements, or may have difficulty obtaining them at all); and (b) what sorts of jobs the graduates of the program have obtained after receiving their degree.

You may have to do some "digging" to find out about a particular program -- but it can be worth the effort. After all, you do not want to spend 2 to 5 years in a program that turns out to be poorly run.

8. Marketability of the degree

It is worth asking yourself beforehand, "Will this degree allow me to work and find advancement in the particular jobs I want?" Let me give an example. Suppose that you want to work in the area of child abuse, probably with child protective services (CPS). Well, in Texas CPS workers with an MSW or MSSW have a distinct advantage over workers with a Masters in Counseling or Clinical Psychology. Texas CPS (a) gives higher pay to workers with an MSW or MSSW, and (b) is more likely to promote workers with these degrees.

Let me tell another anecdote: I earned a Masters degree in Counseling in 1984. When I went looking for a job as a counselor, I found that the interviewers were frequently Social Workers. Several of them were openly disdainful of my Counseling degree. They were "snobs." But they were doing the hiring, and I didn't get the jobs.

The point I'm making is pretty simple. If you know what kind of jobs you eventually want, you should find out beforehand what kind of degree the people in those jobs usually have.

9. The Future of Mental Health Services in the United States.

Nobody can tell the future with certainty. However, here are some predictions that are likely to be true. (1) Licensure of mental health professionals is likely to become more and more common. Mental health professionals who are ineligible for licensure are likely to run into trouble. (2) It is going to become less common for mental health professionals to work in independent private practices. Insurance companies and managed care organizations (like HMO's) are slowly "squeezing out" practitioners in private practice. In the future, the large majority of mental health practitioners will probably be working for agencies, clinics, governmental organizations, or other such institutions. (3) It is becoming harder to "get rich" in the field of mental health. It's my impression that most Masters- level mental health practitioners are paid about the same as elementary school teachers, but with fewer fringe benefits. There are still a few Ph.D. practitioners who make a lot of money. However, this is becoming less common, as insurance companies and other third-party payers "tighten up." (4) In the American Southwest, bilingual (Spanish/English) mental health workers will find jobs more easily than monolingual workers. You will have an "edge" if you can speak Spanish. This "edge" may be more valuable in cities with a moderate Hispanic population (like Tucson or Albuquerque) than in cities with a very large Hispanic population (like El Paso). (5) The proportion of U.S. citizens over the age of 65 is steadily increasing. Mental health work with elderly populations is a "growth" field. (6) It often pays to have a "specialty" within your own field. For example, a social worker with special expertise in child abuse, or with special expertise in treatment of drug abuse, will have a better chance of obtaining certain jobs than a social worker who has no particular area of specialization.

10. Scientific Training in the Program.

In the U.S. mental health system today, many practices have no firm basis in science. Mental health practitioners regularly (a) use therapy approaches that have no demonstrated effectiveness, (b) use tests and assessment methods that lack scientific validity, or (c) make decisions based on myths, misinformation, or "fads."

I strongly urge students to seek out graduate programs that are based on science, and that teach students how to evaluate their work and practice in the light of scientific knowledge. There are two reasons for this recommendation. First, in the long run you will do more good for your clients if you are guided by scientific knowledge than if you are guided by myths, fads, outworn traditions, or unsupported theories. Second, the mental health system in this country is changing. It appears that mental health practitioners who base their practice on science may have an "edge" in the future. Mental health workers who really understand science may become increasingly valuable to the organizations they work for. Here I'm fortune-telling, and I may be wrong. But it does look like training in science may become an increasingly valuable job-skill for mental health workers.

In this section, I describe and offer some personal opinions about the various graduate programs available in the El Paso area.

 M.A. in Clinical Psychology at UTEP

A Masters degree in Clinical Psychology is offered within the psychology department at UTEP.

Pluses: (a) Excellent training in science, particularly as it applies to mental health. (b) Strong training in psychological testing. (c) Strong training in psychopathology and diagnosis of mental disorders. (d) This is a good "stepping stone" for students who eventually plan to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

Minuses: (a) This is a "tough" program, academically speaking. Students with weak undergraduate records may have difficulty keeping up. (b) Graduates of this program are eligible for licensure as "Psychological Associates" in Texas, but not as "Licensed Professional Counselors." This limits job opportunities. Some graduates of the program have decided to move to other states, where the licensure laws are less restrictive.

M.Ed. in School or Community Counseling at UTEP

The Department of Educational Psychology and Special Services, in the College of Education, offers an M.Ed. in either school or community counseling. "Community counseling" is basically "mental health counseling."

Pluses: (a) Graduates of the program are eligible for licensure as "Licensed Professional Counselors" in Texas. (b) The program places a heavy emphasis on training in counseling/psychotherapy. (c) The faculty members of this department have a good reputation and the courses are well taught.

Minuses: Not as strong on the "science" side as the M.A. program in clinical psychology.

Webster University

Webster University is a private university in El Paso. It offers an M.A. in Counseling. To find out more about this program, you can call Webster University at the number listed in the El Paso telephone book. I don't know much about this program except (a) the program offers the classes necessary to earn licensure as a counselor in Texas, and (b) because Webster is a private university, tuition is higher than in state-run universities.

Ph.D. in Health Psychology or Legal Psychology at UTEP

The Psychology Department at UTEP offers the Ph.D. in Health Psychology and in Legal Psychology.  The Department also hopes to offer a Ph.D. in Cognitive and Brain sciences in a few years (maybe by 2004).

Pluses: (a) Strong scientific training. (b) Lots of opportunities to do research in various fields, including health psychology, social psychology, law and psychology, cognitive psychology, and biopsychology.

Minuses: This program does NOT train students to provide mental health services. It is not a good "back-door" way to become a mental health practitioner or obtain a license as a psychologist. If you want to be a Counselor or Clinical Psychologist, don't waste your time with this program.

Masters and Ph.D. Counseling Programs at New Mexico State University (Las Cruces)

6. Master of Social Work Program at New Mexico State University (Las Cruces)

I will briefly mention some other programs located a little further away in Texas or elsewhere in the Southwest.

Texas Tech (Lubbock)

Psychology department has an accredited Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. I haven't heard a lot about this program, but it seems to fit the category of (a) adequate scientific training, and (b) mainly trains practitioners.

University of Texas at Austin

Psychology department has an accredited Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. This program fits the category of (a) good scientific training, and (b) training both researchers and practitioners. This would be a good choice for someone who wanted to become a professor/researcher, as well as for someone who wanted to be a practitioner.

The School of Education offers degrees in Educational Psychology and in Counseling.   School of Social Work offers an M.S.S.W. that has a good reputation. I have heard from reliable sources that the UT Austin school of Social Work is particularly eager to recruit Hispanic students, and will admit promising students with low GPAs on "probationary status." So if you are one of those people who is a good student, but with a low GPA because of bad grades during your freshman or sophomore year, this may be an excellent choice.

University of Texas: Southwestern Medical School (Dallas)

Southwestern Medical School offers an accredited Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. This program fits the category of (a) generally good scientific training, and (b) mainly training practitioners. The program has some special features that make it attractive for students who want to do child clinical psychology or apply clinical psychology in medical settings.

University of Texas at Dallas, School of Human Development

Our Lady of the Lake (San Antonio)

Offers an MSW program. I don't know anything else about this one.

 Baylor University (Waco)

The Department of Psychology has a Psy.D. program. I don't know much about this program, but it might be worth checking out. The psychology department at Baylor generally has a good reputation.

University of New Mexico (Albuquerque).

Psychology Department has an accredited Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. This program fits the category of (a) good scientific training, and (b) mainly training practitioners.

Department of Counselor Education in the College of Education offers a Masters degree in Counseling. The department offers a Ph.D. It’s website doesn’t mention accreditation by the American Psychological Association, so I suspect that it is NOT accredited (bad thing).

University of Arizona (Tucson)

Psychology department has an accredited Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. This program fits the category of (a) good scientific training, and (b) training both practitioners and researchers.

Arizona State University (Tempe/Phoenix)

Psychology department has an accredited Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology, and fits the category of (a) good scientific training, and (b) training both practitioners and researchers.

Social Work program offers an MSW and has a good reputation.

University of Nevada at Reno

Psychology department has an accredited Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology, and fits the category of (a) good scientific training, and (b) training both practitioners and researchers. This program is good but little known, and may be a particularly attractive place to apply. This is also a good program if you want to work with children: Several of the faculty at UNR have special expertise in child clinical psychology.

Here are the names of some Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psychology that have very good reputations. This list does not include the good schools in Texas and the Southwest that were named in the previous section:

University of Washington (Seattle); University of Indiana; University of Iowa; University of Southern California; University of Utah; University of Minnesota; Purdue University; Florida State University; Northwestern University; University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana; University of Delaware; University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School.

Here are the names of some verygood Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psychology that provide special training in working with children: University of Denver; University of Minnesota (joint program in Child and Clinical Psychology, joint program in Child and School Psychology); Yale University; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Pennsylvania State University; University of Washington (Seattle); University of California at Los Angeles (heavy biological emphasis, they particularly want research-oriented students, don’t want practitioners); University of California at Berkeley.

There are many more good schools in social work, clinical psychology, and counseling psychology than I can possibly name here. In the next section, I discuss how you can obtain more information about graduate schools on your own.

Graduate programs decide to admit students based on several criteria.

PREPARING FOR RESEARCH-ORIENTED PROGRAMS: The more importance that a program places on science and research, the more its admissions criteria will emphasize: (1) Undergraduate GPA; (2) GRE scores; (3) Experience in research; and (4) Letters from professors who did research with the student.

If you plan to apply to such a program, therefore, you should do the following during your undergraduate years: (1) Keep your GPA above 3.0, and above 3.5 if possible. Straight A's are not necessary, but the best programs much prefer students with a 3.5 average or higher. (2) Try to do well on the GRE (this is explained in more detail below); (3) Join a research team during your junior and senior years, even your sophomore year if you can.

If you join a research team, be sure to choose one that really interests you. The more you find the work interesting and worthwhile, the more you will give to the team and the more it will give to you. It is a bad idea to stay on a team that bores you. Currently there are several professors in the Psychology Department who have research teams: Dr. Art Blume – clinical psychology, alcoholism and its treatment; Dr. Larry Cohn -- risk taking among adolescents and children; Dr. Steve Crites -- Physiological psychology, attitudes toward eating; Dr. Judith Goggin – cognitive psychology, brain correlates of bilingualism; Dr. Harmon Hosch -- jury decision-making, cross-cultural influences in the court system; Dr. Wendy Francis – cognitive psychology, effects of bilingualism on cognition; Dr. Roy Malpass – eyewitness identification; Dr. Ozzie Morera – Decision-making in health settings, statistics and testing; Dr. Don Moss -- biological psychology, Alzheimer’s Dementia; Dr. Jim Wood (me) – child abuse, forensic interviewing of children and adults; Dr. John Wiebe – Clinical and Health Psychology, effects of long-term stress in illness; Dr. Michael Zarate -- social psychology and stereotyping. Furthermore, there are professors in other departments who welcome research assistants, including Dr. Fernando Rodriguez (Sociology and Criminal Justice) -- criminal behavior.

It is a good idea to visit professors whose work interests you, to see if you might like to join their research teams.

PREPARING FOR OTHER PROGRAMS: Some programs, such as Social Work or Masters programs in Counseling, place little emphasis on science or research. The admissions criteria of such programs tend to emphasize: (1) Undergraduate GPA to a limited extent; (2) GRE scores (sometimes, but not always);

(3) Work and/or volunteer experience with social services; and (4) letters of recommendation from professionals and professors who have worked closely with the student.

If you plan to apply to such a program, therefore, you should do the following during your undergraduate years: (1) Keep your GPA around 3.0. (2) Check to see if the program requires the GRE. If it does, prepare for it properly (as explained below). (3) Become involved as a volunteer or regular employee with an organization that provides services to the sort of people you'd like to work with eventually.

One good way to become involved with such organizations is through UTEP's Praxis program. Praxis places student volunteers in a wide variety of agencies in El Paso. Through Praxis, you can do volunteer work at the Life Management Center, the Child Crisis Center, the Battered Women's Shelter, Therapeutic Horsemanship, the Juvenile Courts, or several other organizations. Working as a volunteer for Praxis is often educational and personally rewarding. Furthermore, volunteer placements can sometimes help to identify paid positions that may be available.

How to Learn More About Particular Programs.

Here are some suggestions for learning more about particular graduate programs. First, take a look at the book "Graduate Study in Psychology and Associated Fields." There is a copy in the office of the Psychology Department. The secretary will lend it to you upon request, although you may not remove it from the office. Be sure to ask for the latest edition of this book, which the secretary keeps in a special place. Or perhaps even better, buy or read a copy of the paperback book "Insider’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology". I have an old (1998) copy in my lab: You are welcome to drop by and read it, although I do NOT allow it to leave the lab. You might also consider buying your own (updated) copy from Amazon.com.

Second, visit the website of the Universities that interest you. Look under "Academic Programs," "Graduate Programs" or "Professional Programs" to find the Psychology Department. Usually information about their graduate programs are on the Psychology Department website.

Third, visit the UTEP "Career Library" at Student Union West, Room 114 (it's in the "old" part of the Student Union). The Career Library has a very helpful, user-friendly computer program called GIS (short for "Guidance Information System") that provides all sorts of useful information on graduate programs. It can be fun to use GIS. For example, with a few clicks of a button you can receive information about all Clinical Psychology Programs in a particular state, or about all Social Work Programs. GIS provides very specific information about each graduate program, including admissions requirements, financial support, and addresses to write for more information. I strongly urge you to "shop" for programs using GIS. Take a friend and you can shop together.

Fourth, once you have identified a list of programs that sound interesting, you can write away and ask for an information packet and admissions materials. I suggest that you create a simple form letter so that you can simply fill in the name of the institution and mail it off in a few minutes. Better yet, many programs now post the admissions materials on the web.

Making Personal Contacts.

Many research-oriented graduate programs prefer students who have research interests that "fit" with the professors'. For example, if a particular student has special interest in child abuse, and one of the professors does research in this area, then the student might have a particularly good chance of being admitted to the graduate program.

If you are interested in a research-oriented program, try to obtain specific information about the faculty members and their work. Identify professors who are working in areas that interest you. If you are particularly interested in the research of a professor, it is often a good idea to write him/her a letter expressing your interest and arranging for a phone or personal interview.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The GRE is a standardized admissions test for graduate schools, much like the SAT is for colleges. Most graduate programs require students to take the GRE. Medical schools require a similar test, the MCAT.

You should send in your application for the GRE in spring of your junior year. At the very latest, send in your application during the summer between your junior and senior year. I recommend that you take the test during the summer between your junior and senior year, or at the very latest in October of your senior year.

You can obtain the application forms for the GRE by going to the Testing and Assessment Office in the Education Building, Room 210. The applications are on a rack in the hallway outside the office, so you can pick them up easily. Applications for the MCAT are in the same rack.

I recommend that you prepare for the GRE thoughtfully. Some graduate schools will pay great attention to your GRE scores, so you want to do as well as you can. Here are some hints about preparing for the GRE:

If you are Hispanic, Black, or a member of another ethnic minority, you should know about Project 1000. Project 1000 represents graduate schools that are seeking to increase their minority enrollment. If you contact Project 1000 by phone, they will send you enrollment materials and put you in contact with the graduate schools they represent.

There are several benefits to contacting Project 1000.

If you are interested in Project 1000, call them at their toll-free number,

1-800-327-4893, in early fall of your junior year. They will send you a packet of application materials.

For most graduate programs, the following time-table is pretty sensible.

Spring of your junior year:

Summer between your junior and senior year:

August/September at the beginning of your senior year:

October of your senior year.

November--January of your senior year:

ATTENTION -- IF YOU PLAN TO APPLY TO MEDICAL SCHOOL: The time-table given here doesn't apply to students who plan to apply to medical school. If you plan to apply to medical school, you must start much earlier. For example, you should probably sign up for the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) in the middle of your junior year, and send away for information packets and admissions materials in the spring of your junior year. If you plan to apply to medical school, make an appointment to see a career counselor in "Career Connection" (Career Services) in Student Union West, Room 103. Also, meet with the Pre-Med Advisor in the College of Science for special advice on undergraduate courses you should take.