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Before getting offended of what I am about to write, I am only basing this topic on what I've heard from other psychologists.
I don't understand the purpose of obtaining a PsyD when many organizations will not justify as a reputable degree.
When I first began my pursuit into improving my CV for graduate school, I was actually considering to apply to PsyD programs because I was more interested in clinical work than research.
However, when I asked a clinical psychologist, who I do research for and works at a very reputable children's hospital, she advised against it and informed me that this hospital does not accept PsyD applicants because they are not perceived as well-trained as PhDs.
When I heard this, I was shocked to hear that PsyDs would not get hired in the exact type of setting that I want to work at after graduate school. Therefore, I switched my focus towards obtaining a PhD and have slowly began to enjoy research more.
She told me that PsyD programs are like business schools, they accept too many applicants so that they can earn a lot of profit. While some of the students accepted are very good, some are also mediocre and were only accepted for more financial gain. She then explained to me that, because of the immense amount of PsyD students, a good portion do not find internships after graduation because there are too many students for too few internships that PhDs get first dibs on.
I asked many other psychologists that I knew about their opinions on PsyD programs and they all expressed similar opinions. I want to note that they did not do it in an arrogant manner, they explained their reasoning to me with factual and statistical evidence. For example, 10% of PhD applicants are accepted vs. 40% or more of PsyD applicants are accepted. Some psychologists mentioned that the PsyD degree is a major reason why the psychology market is flooded.
Overall, based on the information that many professionals and advisors have told me, shouldn't the PsyD be avoided if possible? If PsyD applicants cannot get hired in all of the places that PhD applicants can, can get accepted into their graduate program much more easily than PhDs, have trouble finding internships, and are not certified to do research. Then why do people decide to enroll into PsyDs? I know a psychologist who is in charge of admissions for a PsyD program but she is a PhD. Doesn't that imply something about the degree?
Once again I did not want to express any harmful comments for this topic. However, I do want to question what others think about the reality of how credible a PsyD program is.
I don't understand the purpose of obtaining a PsyD when many organizations will not justify as a reputable degree.
When I first began my pursuit into improving my CV for graduate school, I was actually considering to apply to PsyD programs because I was more interested in clinical work than research.
However, when I asked a clinical psychologist, who I do research for and works at a very reputable children's hospital, she advised against it and informed me that this hospital does not accept PsyD applicants because they are not perceived as well-trained as PhDs.
When I heard this, I was shocked to hear that PsyDs would not get hired in the exact type of setting that I want to work at after graduate school. Therefore, I switched my focus towards obtaining a PhD and have slowly began to enjoy research more.
She told me that PsyD programs are like business schools, they accept too many applicants so that they can earn a lot of profit. While some of the students accepted are very good, some are also mediocre and were only accepted for more financial gain. She then explained to me that, because of the immense amount of PsyD students, a good portion do not find internships after graduation because there are too many students for too few internships that PhDs get first dibs on.
I asked many other psychologists that I knew about their opinions on PsyD programs and they all expressed similar opinions. I want to note that they did not do it in an arrogant manner, they explained their reasoning to me with factual and statistical evidence. For example, 10% of PhD applicants are accepted vs. 40% or more of PsyD applicants are accepted. Some psychologists mentioned that the PsyD degree is a major reason why the psychology market is flooded.
Overall, based on the information that many professionals and advisors have told me, shouldn't the PsyD be avoided if possible? If PsyD applicants cannot get hired in all of the places that PhD applicants can, can get accepted into their graduate program much more easily than PhDs, have trouble finding internships, and are not certified to do research. Then why do people decide to enroll into PsyDs? I know a psychologist who is in charge of admissions for a PsyD program but she is a PhD. Doesn't that imply something about the degree?
Once again I did not want to express any harmful comments for this topic. However, I do want to question what others think about the reality of how credible a PsyD program is.