Advice needed!
24 f currently doing my MSc Psychology (1st year), and in a few months I’ll complete my second semester. My long term goal is to become a clinical psychologist, but I’m genuinely confused about what path I should take next.
For context, I already completed a 3 year bachelor’s degree and right now I’m doing a regular MSc Psychology program.
However, with all the recent changes and the importance of RCI recognition, I know that eventually I’ll need an RCI recognized Clinical Psychology degree/program if I want to properly work in the field.
Right now, I’m stuck between two options:
1- Complete my current MSc Psychology fully (which would end around Aug/Sept 2027), and then prepare for entrances like NIMHANS, Christ, etc. for an RCI- ecognized Clinical Psychology master’s/program afterward.
or
2 - Complete only my first year, take it as a PG diploma/exit option, and immediately start preparing for entrances like NIMHANS, JRF, Christ, etc. so that I can hopefully get into an RCI recognized Clinical Psychology course sooner and save some time.
the reason I’m confused is because I feel like if I complete the current MSc first, I may lose extra years before entering proper clinical training. But at the same time, leaving midway also feels risky because admissions are so competitive, and I don’t know if having only a PG diploma would weaken my profile if things don’t work out immediately.
I genuinely want to make a practical decision instead of an emotionally rushed one. Has anyone here been in a similar situation, especially in the Indian psychology/RCI pathway? What would you suggest?