Consciousness - PhD or D.Clin.Psy?

Hi. I'd just like some advice and/or comments on something please.

I'm going to be studying PPE (philosophy, politics and economics) in Sept 08. I want to go onto a (in a perfect world) a Philosophy and Psychology Masters that is accredited by the BPS. But, that is very unlikely. I really want to pursue some further reading in Philosophy, as I obviously won't be studying in depth - from the fact I'll have to study politics AND economics along side that. I think my best bet would be to do a masters such as Philosophy of Mind/Philosophy of Psychology and then move on to a Psychology masters which is accredited. Any thoughts?

I obviously haven't come up with a concrete thesis as of yet and I'm not going to write all my detailed ideas down and bore you. So, speaking a tad general, I'd like to do research into consciousness in both Philosophy and Psychology. Would I have to apply to a Psychology department for a PhD or Philosophy? I've heard of PhD candidates getting their theses and work looked at by different departments because of crossover etc.

Would I also have to do a D.Clin.Psy to be able to pursue such a PhD with heavy neuroscience and psychological aspects, or should I aim to do the D.Clin.Psy after the PhD?

Thanks in advance. :smile:

Reply 1

GodspeedGehenna

Ghost Grey

Would I also have to do a D.Clin.Psy to be able to pursue such a PhD with heavy neuroscience and psychological aspects, or should I aim to do the D.Clin.Psy after the PhD?

Thanks in advance. :smile:

Well, to be honest, the D.Clin.Psy course is very difficult to get on, often requiring multiple years of clinical experience in the NHS, which is something that many people spend their entire uni career aimed towards achieving.

Also, I THINK you will need to have a BPS recognised undergrad in order to continue on to a psychology postgrad, so you might have to complete the GBR conversion course thing.

Hope ive helped a bit.

Reply 2

Ghost Grey

Thanks for help.

I've had a look on the BPS website and one can move onto a diploma/conversion course from a different line of study (such as mine) then progress onto a masters in Psych.

But, to do the PhD I want to do would I 'need'the D.Clin.Psy or would one think of any other options when trying to do my intended PhD?

Thanks again

Reply 3

Lord Asriel

It does not seem like you understand what a DClinPsy is. The DClinPsy is a vocational qualification that enables you to become a clinical psychologist. Unless you want to be a professional clinical psychologist it is pointless to do it.

What you seem to indicate is that you would like to research a particular area for its own interest, and that is the domain of a PhD. You don't need to do "anything" other than an undergraduate degree to do a PhD. However, a good mark, a good research proposal and evidence of research skill in the form of publications will put you in good standing to receive funding and scholarships. This will mean you will be paid a living allowance, have all your fees paid for 3 years.

Reply 4

Ghost Grey

Cheers Asriel. I did understand that it was vocational. I was just enquiring would I need the vocational skills to be able to practice psychological/neuroscience experiments and accurate methodologies (don't know the specific phrases etc)

Ok, thanks for the D.Clin.Psy verification. I won't even bother talking about that anymore. I'll alter my question.

I'd like to do research into consciousness in both Philosophy and Psychology[....]
I think my best bet would be to do a masters such as Philosophy of Mind/Philosophy of Psychology and then move on to a Psychology masters [or conversion course] which is accredited. Any thoughts?

From what you've said it sounds like you're speaking from experience. Have you done a PhD? What's your academic background if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks again.

Reply 5

Lord Asriel

I was just enquiring would I need the vocational skills to be able to practice psychological/neuroscience experiments and accurate methodologies (don't know the specific phrases etc)

During your PhD you will be training in the methods you need to answer the question you set out to study. Apart from the basics which you will pick up at undergraduate level (usually statistics, research methods, qualitative methods) your PhD supervisor should train you in what you will need to know in that field of research as they will already be an expert in that area.

From what you've said it sounds like you're speaking from experience. Have you done a PhD? What's your academic background if you don't mind me asking?

Yes, as I posted elsewhere, I initially wanted to be a research psychologist, before deciding to do a DClinPsy and become a clinical one. My PhD was in neuroscience and neuroimaging, looking at the way the brain structure effects the way the brain works under certain circumstances (such as memory and inhibition).

Before that I worked for a 6 months as a research assistant to a professor of neuropsychology. I went straight into it from my undergraduate degree and I didnt find getting the job too difficult.

If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.

Reply 6

Ghost Grey

Thanks Asriel. You went straight from undergrad to a research assistant? Wow.

Did you do a BA/Bsc in Psychology then? Are you working in the NHS now as a Clin Psy?

Reply 7

Lord Asriel

Yep, I did a BSc in psychology, and I am working in the NHS already, but will continue to do so when I qualify.

Reply 8

LatinMachine

I take it your PhD research was published - any chance I could have a read? You could just message me the title if you didn't mind :smile:

It sounds interesting (happen to like brain imaging stuff, although I haven't yet made it into my university's MRI scanner to have a picture of my own!)

Ghost Grey, just a question - my housemate who studies PPE actually only studied all three subjects in her first year, everybody drops one after first year exams. She's now concentrating on the two Ps for her final two years. If your course works like this (or happens to be the same one), you'd have plenty more time to study philosophy.

Reply 9

Ghost Grey

Cheers LatinMachine I just figured that out yesterday :redface:

. I've seen that most of the Philosophy (postgrad) courses (unless specialising in Philosophy) are for those with little or without experience. I'll probably carry on the two Ps anyway.

There are so many masters courses that I'm intersted in, but I've narrowed it down, to four. But, they are all different ones :rolleyes:

Reply 10

LatinMachine

LOL, I used to think I know exactly what I wanted to do before I started my degree, oh how things change!
It is fun to plan though :wink:

Reply 11

Ghost Grey

Originally posted by LatinMachine
LOL, I used to think I know exactly what I wanted to do before I started my degree, oh how things change!
It is fun to plan though

I have this whole 'concrete' plan set out, which changes monthly...Kinda ruins the 'concrete' aspect of it...

This is the sort of course I'm after http://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychoanalysis/courses/theory-msc/prospective.htm

Bloody hell though, what a name. MSc in Theoretical Psychoanalytic Studies... Couldn't they just call it MSc in Theoretical Psychoanalysm?