Riley Cain
Class of 2026
Majors
Forensic & Legal Psychology/Counseling
Marymount Involvement:
- Psi Chi
- Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Why did you pursue your dual master’s at Marymount?
I chose to come to Marymount because of the Forensic and Legal Psychology (FLP) master’s program. It’s incredibly unique—there are only a few like it across the country—and its strong emphasis on public policy really stood out to me. Even among forensic psychology programs, that focus is rare. That was the initial draw, along with the opportunity to be in the D.C. area where there are so many internship and externship experiences available.
As I moved through my forensic psychology coursework at Marymount, I realized I wanted to do more than just study these patterns. I wanted to contribute to systems that help people, improve outcomes and reduce risk. That’s what led me toward counseling. I want to be someone who can intervene, offer support and give people better chances to succeed in life and avoid negative outcomes.
Were there any noteworthy opportunities you experienced through the master’s programs?
In Spring 2024, I interned with Interfaith Action for Human Rights, which works to improve conditions for incarcerated individuals. During my internship, we were trying to establish limits and decrease the use of solitary confinement to 15 days, because that’s what the international standard is. It was a cool initiative to be involved in. I got the position through our internship coordinator in the FLP program, and it was just a phenomenal experience because it gave me firsthand knowledge of policy and legislative initiatives and let me work on something I was passionate about.
Tell us about your involvement with Psi Chi.
Psi Chi is great because it’s giving me the connections I’m going to need throughout my career with people across the psychology field, not just those in specific counseling roles or in forensic psychology. They hold conferences and provide a lot of information on internships, externships and research opportunities. It’s going to expand my knowledge and experience within the field, and it allows us to connect with more students on campus.
How was your experience working in the graduate admissions office?
When I first started, I was primarily answering questions for prospective students as they were filling out applications and making sure they knew where they needed to go to get resources, which was a fun part of the job. Now as a graduate admissions coordinator, I’m more actively involved in our recruitment efforts and working with prospective students. My favorite part is working with students in my own fields—not only do I get to connect them with the resources they need, but I also get to share my own experience.
From the graduate school perspective, we’re not just looking at your high school GPA or clubs you were involved in. We want to see what you did in your undergraduate years, what you’re passionate about and what your career goals are. Since faculty members look very holistically at all our applicants, you get to share more of yourself. We are looking at more than just your grades, which I think is awesome.
What lessons have you learned from your time at Marymount?
One of the most important things I’ve learned is the value of using the resources available to you and taking advantage of every opportunity. As an undergraduate, I rarely attended office hours or participated in events, and now I realize that limited my experience. I missed out on meaningful engagement outside the classroom that could have enhanced my education. Graduate school has given me the confidence and courage to change that. I now regularly attend office hours, connect with faculty and engage with fellow students. Building those relationships has been incredibly valuable not just academically, but professionally and personally.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
I plan to pursue my counseling licensure by taking the National Counselor Exam. One of the great things about Marymount’s Counseling program is that you can take the exam during your final semester, so you don’t have to wait until after graduation. I’m excited about that because it means I can study alongside my classmates and prepare together.
After hopefully passing the exam, I’ll begin a counseling residency and complete my required hours under supervision. From there, I’ll become a fully licensed counselor. My goal is to work in trauma-informed care, specifically with individuals impacted by the criminal justice system.
I’m also personally interested in animal-assisted therapy, particularly working with dogs. I believe dogs can play a powerful role in building therapeutic bonds with clients, and I just genuinely love them. It’s a meaningful way to combine my passions with the work I want to do.
What is one piece of advice you want to give those pursuing their master’s degree?
Look for the things you’re passionate about and the things that excite you, because sometimes it’s okay to make a change if that’s what’s going to get you to the place you want to be. I worked in tech sales before I came to school, and that was not what I wanted to do with my life. So I made the jump, and I think it was really worth it. I’m feeling more fulfilled now that I’m doing what I love.
