Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 10/12/2009

Question
Cynthia,

I just had a question on the HPSP Scholarship for the medical field.  I'm strongly considering a Master's Degree in Psychology but the emphasis would be Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marital Family Therapist.  I know that for the HPSP scholarship you have to have a letter of acceptance from an accredited school to pursue the Master's Degree, and after you graduate you owe the military some time back due to the HPSP scholarship..what I'm unsure about is to be licensed you have to have 2 years of supervised experience after receiving the Master's Degree, and I didn't know if the military provides this experience after I receive the Master's Degree or if I have to have the Master's Degree and then do the 2 years of supervised experience and then join the military, thanks in advance.  I also would like to get in contact with a Army Health Recruiter, I live in Lawton, Ok and I'm having a hard time finding one...I don't know if it matters, but I have 6 years prior service-Active Duty-on the Military Intel side...and I was honorably discharged...

Answer
Dear Angela --

Since you want to go into the medical field, you should contact an Army Medical Department (AMEDD) recruiter.  They are the only recruiters that will give you the honest facts about the medical programs and scholarships.  I cannot tell you how to find an AMEDD recruiter in your area, because I would need your zip code.  However, if you go to this site -- http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/find_a_recruiter.jsp -- you can input your zip code and get the contact information for the nearest AMEDD recruiter to you.

If you already have your bachelors degree and are qualified to begin a medical professional education, you may qualify to enter the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (http://www.usuhs.mil/ and http://www.usuhs.mil/mps/programintro.html).  You would enter your program as a second lieutenant, and upon graduation receive a promotion to captain.  Your two years practical experience would be provided at a military medical facility, and would count toward paying back your service obligation.

To be authorized to provide psychiatric services in the military, you will usually need an MD or a Ph.D..  Both programs of study are more rigorous than a Masters degree in counseling.  However, if you would prefer to work as a doctor's assistant, AMEDD may have scholarships appropriate for your needs.

Please write back, if you have additional questions.  Good luck to you and thank you for your service.