International Relations or Cultural Anthropology?

Clinical counseling certification with a degree in Medical Anthropology and Psychocultural studies?

• I'm currently an undergraduate student at the University of Kentucky pursuing a triple major in Anthropology, Psychology, and International Relations. I'm considering applying to UCLA for a Ph.D. in Socio-Cultural Anthropology. They have a specific program in Medical Anthropology/Psychocultural Studies that is a joint program between the anthropology department and the psychiatry department. What I really want to do with my Ph.D. is work as a both as a researcher/professor and a clinical counselor working with refugee populations and victims of political violence. Do you think that this degree program would give me a good shot at getting into a post-doc clinical counseling program where I can get the hours to apply for an LPC? My understanding of the program is that it is very well respected and has contributed quite a bit to research in transcultural psychiatry.

• Answer:

  I think you need an advanced degree in Psychology to get your LPC. I'm not sure the UCLA program is going to get you into clinical practice. Though I know *of* the program, I really don't know enough about it. I'd put in a call or email to the faculty member in *both* departments in charge of admissions, and get a better answer from them.