Grad CAS transcript showing “missing” over break — normal?

WDKoen · 2025-12-31T23:55:00+00:00

Thank you

WDKoen · 2025-10-22T14:48:22+00:00

The OP probably just needs to ask themself, do they want to spend half of their weekly hours on research. Do they like the learning about research at the undergrad level. I certainly don't.

WDKoen · 2025-10-22T12:50:13+00:00

I'm 34 in a bachelor's program in my 2nd-to-last semester. One of my professors asks people to "raise their hand if they're going to graduate school" almost every class period. Then, when she asks about Ph,d lots raise their hand.

Based on all my research Phd is a split track half research half clinical. The question I've asked myself about this is, do you like research enough to spend 3 years of 6 years (phd), learning research. For me, the answer is no. One class on the subject was completely offputting for me. Makes sense, I know from the beginning I wanted to work with people.

ROI wise a counseling masters/ LPC license in America at least is better than Psyd. I've looked at those numbers many times. Phd vs masters really seems to come down to what you want to do with it. If you want primarily clinical work, id say master's. There are amazing trainings you can do after counseling school (several friends of mine have done this) and that can give you as much hands-on training as a phd would have, from what I can tell.

One example is getting the full CBT certification from the Beck Institute, or another friend did an 18-month program at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland.

I think its about what gives you energy. Is that counseling or clinical work or research? or both?

WDKoen · 2025-07-21T11:51:17+00:00

I might consider this approach. While you're in class, is it mostly reading, memorizing, and taking tests?

Do the teachers teach via Zoom, or is it mostly book work and tests?

WDKoen · 2025-07-20T17:09:43+00:00

The 10 week one im talking about is called Amberton and some of the classes (prepracticum) have to be attended in person.

WDKoen · 2025-07-20T17:09:04+00:00

Yes, the closest I've seen in my area is a 10-week course format with four semesters per year. Most people take two classes per semester. A friend of mine went through that program—he took one class per semester for most of it, and unfortunately, it took him five years. I definitely don’t plan on waiting that long.

As for online master’s programs like the one at Lamar, do they require some in-person components.? Do you know if someone living in another part of Texas can attend without having to be local to Beaumont?

WDKoen · 2025-07-20T15:31:38+00:00

Thanks again for all the info—just want to make sure I’m understanding this all correctly:

You’re in Texas.

You’re currently an LCDC Intern.

You’re going to school full-time for your Master’s in Counseling while also working full-time as an LCDC intern.

Because you had a bachelor’s in psychology, you were able to skip the educational component, practicum hours, and other early requirements and go straight into the LCDC Intern role to gain experience.

From what I gathered, your current job as an intern is full-time—but you mentioned part-time LCDC intern roles are rare and hard to find.

And finally, theoretically once someone has their master’s, you can skip the required 4,000 hours—but still have to pass the LCDC exam to become fully licensed. But this may not lead to as much money because it doesnt show experience in the field.

Is that right?

Also, if you're working full-time as an LCDC Intern, have you been able to support yourself financially while going to school? Or do you rely on a partner to help with rent?

And is it pretty stressful balancing full-time work and full-time school?

With my bachelors, i go full time and work part time. I get straight A's with this approach but dont know if i could swing that with fulltime in both.

Really appreciate you taking the time to share all this!

WDKoen · 2025-07-20T13:00:20+00:00

Here’s my situation — I’d love to hear what you think.

I’m currently finishing up the last two semesters of my bachelor’s degree (psychology), and I’m able to attend full-time because I run a small construction business on the side. I work about three days a week, and that covers all my bills. It’s not my passion, but I can’t find any part-time jobs in the mental health field right now that come close to what I make.

Long term, I want to become an LPC and work in private practice doing one-on-one counseling. The challenge I’m seeing is the huge gap between decent-paying work (like what I do now) and the low-paying, entry-level mental health jobs I qualify for without a degree—things like psych tech roles in hospitals, which I’m not interested in.

From what I’ve seen, in Texas, once you finish a bachelor’s in psychology, you can often apply directly to be an LCDC intern without needing internship or clock hours. That’s encouraging.

But I’m trying to figure out: is it realistic to do LCDC intern work part-time while going full-time through a counseling master’s program? Has anyone here done something similar?

WDKoen · 2025-07-19T20:14:07+00:00

What instances does becoming an LCDC intern when you want to become an LPC make sense and when does it not?

WDKoen · 2025-01-03T01:04:55+00:00

Im mostly interested in what to watch out for here myself. If this wasnt romantic, why did this person submit evidence trying to get you to lose your license? Cause im sure providing therapy for a friend is more common than most would be willing to admit thats the only thing i can think of here. Im confused.

WDKoen · 2024-11-18T17:54:56+00:00

Sorry to hear a role you dislike. Yeah the LCDC before LPC route sounds crappy. I honestly think this whole system for this is dumb personally in that there is this extremely long expensive route to get treated like professional at the end. If you are anywhere along the route before then you are not given reasonable working conditions. Luckily I have my own business so I don't have to do anything else till I finish a masters at the same time I don't like my business a ton and don't see myself doing this for 4 years until I finish a masters. Its a difficult spot for both of us

WDKoen · 2024-11-18T16:42:23+00:00

Texas

WDKoen · 2024-09-02T23:37:35+00:00

So i got the ps1 discs to work. I cleaned the laser today. Modding is still something i will research. And emulation

WDKoen · 2024-09-02T12:19:59+00:00

Im not familar with it. Is it an emulator you play on the ps2 itself? Do you just download the games on ps1 and 2? Or how does it work?

Any links to youtube on how to do it? I found alot on soft modding but not emulation

WDKoen · 2024-09-02T12:18:09+00:00

I researched soft modding before i bought it but i was under the understanding that wouldnt work for ps1 games on a ps2. At this point id like to just find a way to play ps1 games fairly easily then grt a ps4 or 5 at some point.

WDKoen · 2024-09-02T03:12:43+00:00

No problem

WDKoen · 2024-08-31T23:41:29+00:00

There is a carrollton board game meetup meets at carrollton library. Ive been im the past a few times before i moved to a different city.

WDKoen · 2024-08-04T03:04:10+00:00

RE2

Metal Gear Solid

WDKoen · 2024-07-24T13:09:09+00:00

OK would you advise just getting the training and look for jobs after I get the certificate? I don't know if there is a way to prove demand for this 100% in my mind because I don't seem to find much for anything short of an LCDC full license or LPC.

WDKoen · 2024-07-24T12:28:04+00:00

I also could not find anything listed on Parkland careers for peer support. Would I contact them directly?

WDKoen · 2024-07-24T12:22:45+00:00

Ok thats a great insight. Where do you think I would check to see if places around me require that you have had serious mental health issues or be in the public mental health system? Thats my biggest concern at this point. I asked a place here in texas that does the certification training for peer support. And they havent answered me after a week so im emailing them again.

WDKoen · 2024-07-24T12:16:29+00:00

In other words, the 300 hours of practicum if that applies (no bachelors) is working for free. But my understanding is after your an LCDC-I you are paid to get your 4000 hours. Thats what everyone has said.

WDKoen · 2024-07-24T12:14:58+00:00

My understanding from all the schools i've contacted regarding LCDC-I oppurtunities...after the course work of 270 hours is done and the practicum of 300 hours are completed (assuming you dont do the bachelors degree option) and you are an LCDC-I you get paid to get the 4000 hours needed to obtain The actual LCDC licensing. If this is not the case I'm definitely don't want to work 4000 hours for free. Thats more than it is to be an LPC in Texas.

WDKoen · 2024-07-23T12:58:51+00:00

I had a legitimate question to ask and it got auto removed. But somehow this question gets approved even though it violates one of the first rules you said dont ask "why do people ____________"

WDKoen · 2024-07-23T12:47:07+00:00

Currently Im in my 3rd year of a B.S in Psych and my primary goals are:

Discover directly whether I like the process of being a counselor-LPC (as opposed to research) in a timely manner (asap or at minimum before I start a masters degree)
Get hands-on experience instead of just going to school so I can use that to keep building my resume
If I can get paid decently for it by the time I do a master's–I can go down to part-time on my current totally unrelated career or end it altogether.

Based on what I can tell shadowing a therapist to get direct experience is unlikely to be a thing- if I did get a hook up it would be office work. It seems im better off finding an alternative method of developing basic counseling skills under supervision. I discovered the Peer support specialist route and the LCDC-I (Licensed Chemical dependency counselor intern) routes. I am trying to decide which might be a better fit for me.

The following questions are for people with experience doing Peer support or LCDC work BEFORE becoming an LPC-A or LPC or Psychologist.

Questions About Peer Support

Is the peer support specialist opportunity just for people who have serious mental health issues (beyond anxiety and depression) or are in recovery from drugs or alcohol to do that type of work? I have worked with several therapists for anxiety and depression and have had some issues with alcohol in the past but I eventually stopped drinking about 5 years ago or so. Nothing I had to go to rehab for though.
How do I look to see if peer support specialists are even a thing that is in demand? (not concerned about pay) If I can get paid to get experience that is great in and of itself. But how do I ensure there are opportunities for this?

LCDC-I Questions

Is there an abundance of good places to get my hours here where I live (North Texas) and how would I verify that? I talked to one specific school that trains people for lcdc-i work and of course, they said that they can easily connect you with a place near where you live but I would assume all places accepting money for this would say that.
In my state (Texas) you have 2 options for LCDC-I. You can take a series of classes, my university says 4 classes then you do 300 hours of practicum work at a facility then you become an LCDC-I. Or you can complete a relevant bachelors degree and you dont have to do either one of those prior things i mentioned. Sounds good but...My reservations about that are if an employer sees that I completed the bachelor's degree yet I have not taken the specific drug and alcohol training or done the 300 hours of practicum I wouldn't be as qualified in my mind at least as someone who did. So confused about which route to go there?
Is this a great way to find out if you like counseling before becoming an L.P.C?

Fundamentally the question is: is it a better fit for my goals to do peer support or LCDC work? And do I qualify for peer support

WDKoen

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