Psychology Conversion Degree

[KinseyWinsey]

I'm want to be a counselling psychologist.

I can't decide whether to do a BPS accredited psychology conversion degree or an accredited BSc via the OU or another institution.

I already have a BA and an MSc in different fields.

The reason I'm wondering is because of the intensity of conversion degrees.

I have 5 dcs, work part time and I think perhaps a year of total full on course might be too much. Whereas a three year BSc, whilst still demanding, would be more manageable.

Has anyone done a psychology conversion degree? I'm eyeing the one at Manchester Met as it's online and looks pretty good.

I did a psychology conversion, but a number of years ago and pre-kids. There are pros and cons. I seem to remember that the lecture hours were quite full on, at least full mornings mon-fri and I did work fairly hard and consistently through the year. while online presumably gives you more flexibility you would have to think about the sheer number of hours you have available.

OTOH you have a few more years studying ahead of you with the doctorate so there are advantages to just getting it over with in a year. Given that you have BA and MSc already you will most likely find your study skills help to reduce the intensity (e.g. you'll know how to get through most efficiently) and may mean you find the content pretty straightforward though that may depend on what your previous degrees are in. To get an accredited psychology degree you have to cover some stats and bio/neuro content which were challenging but manageable for me (I had no science above GCSE). If your previous degrees are in science or even if you have science or maths A'Levels you'd probably find those parts quite straightforward.

Good luck!

I haven't done this degree but work at a University which offers this course. Ours a one year programme - Wednesday mornings & all day Thursdays. So although classed as full time, you aren't on campus every day which makes it easier for students who are working and/or have families.

Not saying you have to apply here (!) but something like this may be more suited to you and your circumstances?

My previously degrees are not science or maths based. I think I will struggle with the stats side of things! I do worry I simply am not capable enough in that respect.

@MrsJBaptiste which university is that where you work, if you don't mind saying?

Hi @KinseyWinsey Just sent you a pm as I've been outed on here before!

Thank you @MrsJBaptiste

Why unsurprisingly?

Your institution is one of the ones I'm interested in. I think they do the course online too.....

KinseyWinsey would you mind me doing a shameless place-marking as this is something I have been contemplating. I’m worried about being a bit old to undertake such a long training, but interested to see other people’s experiences. Do you mind me asking how old you are?

I'm 49. @Equimum

I don't care about age. I think just go for it regardless.

I'm just concerned about my intellectual capabilities wrt statisticsside of things!

OP I wouldn't worry about the stats too much, I certainly wouldn't let it put you off the career. I am not mathematical and I coped. The stats you learn are applied (i.e.teaching you to understand research papers) so you have to get your head round the stats concepts and then learn what the tests are for and why but you don't need a brain that gets pure mathematical concepts. At conversion course our stats exams were open book. There are now stats exams as part of selection for lots of clinical courses but I don't know about counselling psych courses - may be worth checking that out. When you do your doctoral research you could choose to do qualitative methodologies. Don't get me wrong I think being a stats whizz is an advantage but you can get by without.

Thank you @onewhitewhisker

I think I'm going to do the OU BSc in Psychology and Counselling.

It's BPS accredited and will be less intense than a conversion degree.

I'm genuinely concerned I won't manage everything well with a one year conversion.

The stats aren’t too bad it’s the bloody coding that’s a nightmare! I’m a 3rd year psychology student.

Coding???

All the databases that you will use to input your data have to be coded.

Can you not gif somewhere that will let you take the conversion part time?

Well part time is two or more years. So I may as well do the BSc from the OU.

I have to do it distance learning and the OU is very established in the area.

Why don’t you do online MSc psychology conversion but part time? I think Arden (similar to OU) does it module by module, v flexible. Seems silly doing a BSc when you already have a masters degree.
The other thing I would say, are you 100% sure you want to be a counselling psychologist? Have you had any experience working in mental health?