r/psychologystudents • u/Exciting-Wrangler619 • 18h ago

Advice/Career [USA] Anyone plan on being a psychologist and stop at the ma ?

Does anyone plan on becoming a licensed psychologist and instead stop at their MA and work as an LMHC counselor? Do you regret your decision? Do you feel fulfilled in what you are able to do at the MA level?. Having some doubts and would love any insight anyone could provide

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u/maxthexplorer Ph.D. Student (Clinical Science) 4h ago edited 1h ago

Psychologist are not at the MA level. Psychologist are always at the doctoral level unless you’re a school psych.

Mastering out in a PhD program is probably a non terminal degree with no clear path to licensure ulike an MA in counseling or social work.

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u/Exciting-Wrangler619 35m ago

i am aware. That was the whole point of my question.. If people felt happy being mental health clinicians and not psychologists, despite originally planning to become psychologists. Maybe I explained myself wrong..

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u/UnknownQwerky BA 18h ago

That's what I'm going to do, but the the state I'm in only requires an MA to practice privately and that's what I want to do.