School Psychology PhD/PsyD thread

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Just a note, I don't believe that specialist degree school psychologists are limited to PUBLIC schools. Certainly in NYC they can work in private schools as well, and I was under the impression that was true in most (if not all) places. Of course individual private schools may choose to only hire doctoral level practioners.

Also, I don't think that it's correct to say that it's rare for doctoral level school psycholoigsts to work in schools. According to employment stats, working in schools is still quite common, as is working in academia, with other options being much less common.

School psychologist - Need a master's/specialist degree. Mainly restricted to practice in the public schools (though some states allow you to practice in other settings).

Psychologist - Need a doctoral degree in school psychology, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or industrial/organizational psychology. If you get a doctoral degree in school psychology, you can practice in the public schools, but this is rare. Instead, most doctoral-level school psychologists have a career in research, academia, or in an environment outside of the public schools.

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Approximately 50% of school psychology folks work in the schools, so I would not consider it "rare" for a phd school psychologist to practice in the schools. With that said, I would reflect deeply on the sort of career all applicants want. If your desire is solely to work within the schools, getting a 60-70 credit Masters/EDS is in many ways a prudent move.
 
I am looking for the best way to get into a School Psychology program. I have applied to a few that offer a mix of CAGS and Ph.D. and am waiting for responses, but I am already thinking I should try a different approach.

1) For almost 6 years now, since recieving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2007, I have worked full-time as a Mental Health Technician at a residential treatment facility for boys 14-18. I feel this is my major selling point, since I have extensive experience working with children.

2) My undergraduate GPA was 2.89.

3) In December 2008, my GRE scores were:
Verbal 530 = 155
Quantitative 570 = 147
Writing 4.5

4) Between Summer and Fall 2008, I completed these courses, since they were their pre-reqs for non-psych majors applying for a School Psychology Ed.S. program:
Tests and Measurements B+
Concepts in Human Development B+
Learning Theories C

^ GPA for these 3 classes: 2.9
I never applied for this program however.


SO BASICALLY.....

Should I:

a) Take additional classes to boost my GPA for pre-req level Psych courses?
b) Re-take the GREs, since it has been almost 5 years? Either way, is that score at all acceptable? Maybe take the Psych Subject Test even if not required?

Or do you have any other suggestions about the best way(s) to go about getting into a School Psych program?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.
 
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Hi School Psych,

I wish you the best in pursuits. However, to be fully honest, your numbers are quite low. In my doctoral program, GRE scores at or above 1200 and GPAs above 3.5 were generally the bare minimum for entrance into the doctoral program. There was an EDS program at my program as well - from what I heard (though, for full disclosure, I have not seen the numbers) the mean of accepted students was a 1100 and a GPA of 3.5. However, your experiences (assuming stellar letters of recommendation) may help. If I were in your position, I would look for range of solid and less competitive school psychology EDS programs. Ideally, if you do desire a doctoral program, I would seek EDS programs that also have (less competitive) doctoral programs in school psychology. That way, you could gain entrance into the EDS program and, by demonstrating your skill and aptitude, perhaps gain direct entrance into the doctoral program after your first year. Rather than applying to programs like Madison or Minnesota, I would focus on applying to EDS program that also host solid though not stellar APA accredited doctoral programs (I am thinking of programs like Minnesota State or Alfred University, which host both an EDS and a PSYD programs - perhaps also PHD programs that host both NASP EDS and APA PHD programs, such as University of Arizona, Milwaukee, Georgia State, etc.). Sorry to be so frank, but I just wanted to provide an honest opinion. Good luck with whatever direction you choose!!!
 
Thank you much for the information and I appreciate your honesty, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

So given what you said, if I am not accepted this go-round, do you think that I should take additional classes to boost my GPA for undergrad Psych courses? The school that I took those 3 at in 2008 is not one of the schools I am attempting to apply to now. Would it help to take more undergrad psych courses at the main school I am actually trying to attend? They offer an NASP CAGS degree, and appear to be more on my level.
 
Hi guys, I am really interested in School Psych...I have a master's in counseling psy. and ended up applying to 3 counseling ph.d.'s and only 2 school psych's. I am now wishing I had gone all school psych. because I keep liking these programs more and more.

My question is...does anyone have any information about funding in school psy programs, particularly Texas A&M? I was just shooting in the dark when I was picking school psych. programs to apply to this year. I got into Texas A&M, but I am hearing that not everyone gets GA's in this program. Does anyone have an info. or advice about this?
 
You would have to re-take a ton of courses, gain research experiences, etc. to even have a chance to get into a reputable doctoral program. I would either continue to seek out research and clinical experiences, perhaps retake a stats/research methods course or two and apply for EDS programs attached to reputable PHD programs for next year. Try to make sure the EDS program is a NASP program and the doctoral program is an APA one. If you are flexible, there are a few PSYD programs in school psych, which I have heard are not as competitive as PHD programs (Kean, Minnesota State, Alfred University in upstate NY). Good luck to you!

Thank you much for the information and I appreciate your honesty, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

So given what you said, if I am not accepted this go-round, do you think that I should take additional classes to boost my GPA for undergrad Psych courses? The school that I took those 3 at in 2008 is not one of the schools I am attempting to apply to now. Would it help to take more undergrad psych courses at the main school I am actually trying to attend? They offer an NASP CAGS degree, and appear to be more on my level.
 
Hi SchoolPsych,

First of all, don't let people tell you that your numbers are too low. If I posted some of mine on here, people would say that I didn't have a chance of getting into one of the best School Psych PhD programs in country, but I did :) People don't realize that it's more than a numbers game. However, numbers are important in getting you in the door.

While your numbers are on the lower side, I'd suggest retaking a few courses and applying to an Ed.S program. You may find it easier to get some interviews and it's a great starting point. Ed.S programs emphasize work with children and practical experience rather than research (though research can never hurt). So, my advice is to try to get those grades up a little bit and then apply to some Ed.S programs. From there, you would have the chance to prove that you can handle grad level work. Good luck!

EDIT: retake the GRE too, that was 5 years ago.
 
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Hey all,

does anybody know what a competitive GRE score is for School Psychology programs? I just took a practice test and scored 161 Verbal and 162 Quant (this is equivalent to 620 and 770, respectively). Is that a solid score, or should I practice more to improve?
 
Hey all,

does anybody know what a competitive GRE score is for School Psychology programs? I just took a practice test and scored 161 Verbal and 162 Quant (this is equivalent to 620 and 770, respectively). Is that a solid score, or should I practice more to improve?

That's a pretty solid score for most programs! I think the combined score a lot of programs look for is 1,100/1,200. Just keep in mind that the GRE is mostly a cutoff during the application process (or so my advisor says, who is a school psych prof). A really high score can be beneficial for things like fellowships and scholarships, though.
 
That's a pretty solid score for most programs! I think the combined score a lot of programs look for is 1,100/1,200. Just keep in mind that the GRE is mostly a cutoff during the application process (or so my advisor says, who is a school psych prof). A really high score can be beneficial for things like fellowships and scholarships, though.

what do you mean by 'cutoff'? Do you mean that a low GRE could automatically prevent you from being accepted, but a high GRE is not going to do anything to strengthen your application?
 
what do you mean by 'cutoff'? Do you mean that a low GRE could automatically prevent you from being accepted, but a high GRE is not going to do anything to strengthen your application?
I think it depends on the program. A lot of programs I applied to said they generally use GRE as a preliminary cutoff. If they post average scores of previous successful applicants, use that as your base line (but there's some wiggle room!). If you're applying to a program that generally gets a lot of applicants, they might look at a really low score and stop looking at your application altogether. A higher score cant hurt you, though! If you score high enough it puts you in the running for fellowships if you're accepted to a program. If you score average, that's ok too because the GRE will not be the the final deciding factor that will grant you an interview or not. School Psychology programs generally have lower scores for accepted students compared to Counseling and Clinical.

What professors look for really is the match- what experiences you've garnered over your academic years and where you want to take your clinical and research experiences. Once you get to the interview stage with schools, the GRE scores are irrelevant (in my experience).

That being said, with a higher score combined with good experiences and letters of rec, you have a better chance of getting an interview. My GRE scores were OK, 1,200, but I had a lot of research and clinical experiences under my belt and ended up getting accepted into 4 programs.
 
Everything Esgee said is true (from my experience at least). It really does depend on the program. Overall, however, I think it's just a screener used to weed out applicants. Your practice test scores are very good, so do your best to get those on the real test! My advice is that, while you should try to get the highest possible score you can, it's not the end of the world if you don't do as well as you hope. After I took the GRE, my thoughts were, "well there goes any chance I ever had of getting into my programs." The scores weren't as bad as I thought, though.
 
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thanks for your input. I have also been wondering another thing. Is research experience compulsory for admission into PsychD programs? I know that the standards are a little less than full PhD's, so I was wondering.

I am a bit concerned because I have little/no research experience, but I have other things that are centered around children and adolescents (Tutor, volunteer at a youth hotline).

Do you think with no research, I should focus primarily on the Masters level programs?
 
Research experience may be slightly less sought after for PsyD programs compared to PhD, but you'd still need some. Based on your practical work, I'd say you're a great candidate for a master's/EdS program.

What are your career goals? If you only want to practice, a doctorate isn't necessary. If you were to start out with a masters degree, you could get that necessary research experience in your program to move onto doctorate level training
 
Research experience may be slightly less sought after for PsyD programs compared to PhD, but you'd still need some. Based on your practical work, I'd say you're a great candidate for a master's/EdS program.

What are your career goals? If you only want to practice, a doctorate isn't necessary. If you were to start out with a masters degree, you could get that necessary research experience in your program to move onto doctorate level training

I'd like to work in the schools and perhaps do some counseling/therapy as well as a PP. So, I was thinking a PsychD would be best for me.

However, another option I was thinking of was to do the EdS/Masters and then do a counseling masters program on a part-time basis later on in my career. Is this a possibility?
 
I'd like to work in the schools and perhaps do some counseling/therapy as well as a PP. So, I was thinking a PsychD would be best for me.

However, another option I was thinking of was to do the EdS/Masters and then do a counseling masters program on a part-time basis later on in my career. Is this a possibility?
PP = Private Practice?

Just out of curiosity, what is your rationale for wanting both an Ed.S and a Masters in counseling? It's certainly feasible, though. I'm probably not the best person to answer whether or not this will open up some more career prospects for you.
 
PP = Private Practice?

Just out of curiosity, what is your rationale for wanting both an Ed.S and a Masters in counseling? It's certainly feasible, though. I'm probably not the best person to answer whether or not this will open up some more career prospects for you.

I'm really oscillating between the two at the moment. I am attracting to counseling and I think I would be good at it, but i'm not sure if I could do it day-in-day-out. That is why I was thinking of splitting my time between school psychologist and pp (private practice) counselor, though I really have no idea if it is common for school psychologists to work part-time or not.
 
Have you ever done any shadowing of school psychs or counselors? That may be a logical next step. I don't know of many school psychs that are counselors on the side, but I'm not too knowledgable on the subject.
 
why wouldnt you just do a psyd in school psych. That would provide you the school capability + the counseling training. It would take the same amount of time, too (assuming you completed the PSYD in 5 years, which is the typical norm). There are several combined PSYD programs in Clinical-School psych where you could do this and also PSYD programs in school psych (Rutgers, Kean University, Alfred, Minnesota State). I know the school psych PSYD programs I just mentioned offer at least a tuition stipend waiver.
 
why wouldnt you just do a psyd in school psych. That would provide you the school capability + the counseling training. It would take the same amount of time, too (assuming you completed the PSYD in 5 years, which is the typical norm). There are several combined PSYD programs in Clinical-School psych where you could do this and also PSYD programs in school psych (Rutgers, Kean University, Alfred, Minnesota State). I know the school psych PSYD programs I just mentioned offer at least a tuition stipend waiver.

yes, I was thinking of this, but it seems like PsychD programs also require research experience...which I am lacking.

Also, masters level programs are 1-2 years shorter.

Anyway, I just took my GRE and scored 164V, 156Q (kicking myself for this, I know i messed up one section!).

Do school psych programs care more about quant or verbal scores? i ask because I figured the testing/measurement aspect of the field might lend itself more to the quant side of things...
 
yes, I was thinking of this, but it seems like PsychD programs also require research experience...which I am lacking.

Also, masters level programs are 1-2 years shorter.

Anyway, I just took my GRE and scored 164V, 156Q (kicking myself for this, I know i messed up one section!).

Do school psych programs care more about quant or verbal scores? i ask because I figured the testing/measurement aspect of the field might lend itself more to the quant side of things...

Kicking yourself? Those scores seem fine to me. They will absolutely be ok for masters programs and even possibly competitive for doctoral programs. Good work!
 
Hello. Do you mind telling me what your GPA and GRE scores were when you applied to Kent? I am applying there now and can't find much information on the average GPA and GRE scores of incoming students.
 
Since I began my search in this thread, it seems fitting that I come back while I am deciding. It's ok if you move me to the help me decide thread.

OK, so fastforward to two weeks ago, when I got accepted to 6! (craziness) schools. Much the advice given to me about funding ended up being very true, so I bow down to you guys.

I've narrowed it down to two schools, and the one big difference preventing me from choosing my "heart" school over my "head" school is the APA match rate. (if you'd like to help out with other differences, PM me)

One has a very high match rate, and the other has an almost non-existent match rate, in that no one has applied to APA internships over the past 7 years (but the program has assured me that people have applied before that).

Now, unsurprisingly, the program that has a high match rate has told me that it is very important, and the program that doesn't has said a) that they will help me, if I go the APA match route, and b) they don't think it's essential.


I do want to leave the option of getting licensed open, and I've checked all of the states that require APA internships and the one big one that I didn't want to cross off the job market is California. Other than that, I want to work in schools, and eventually become an academic.

So my questions are: 1) How strongly should I factor in this match differential? 2) How hard is it to get an APA internship when coming from a school psych program that is APA accredited but hasn't had a recent history of sending students to get matched?
 
Since I began my search in this thread, it seems fitting that I come back while I am deciding. It's ok if you move me to the help me decide thread.

OK, so fastforward to two weeks ago, when I got accepted to 6! (craziness) schools. Much the advice given to me about funding ended up being very true, so I bow down to you guys.

I've narrowed it down to two schools, and the one big difference preventing me from choosing my "heart" school over my "head" school is the APA match rate. (if you'd like to help out with other differences, PM me)

One has a very high match rate, and the other has an almost non-existent match rate, in that no one has applied to APA internships over the past 7 years (but the program has assured me that people have applied before that).

Now, unsurprisingly, the program that has a high match rate has told me that it is very important, and the program that doesn't has said a) that they will help me, if I go the APA match route, and b) they don't think it's essential.


I do want to leave the option of getting licensed open, and I've checked all of the states that require APA internships and the one big one that I didn't want to cross off the job market is California. Other than that, I want to work in schools, and eventually become an academic.

So my questions are: 1) How strongly should I factor in this match differential? 2) How hard is it to get an APA internship when coming from a school psych program that is APA accredited but hasn't had a recent history of sending students to get matched?

I'm not sure if I can answer your second question, but if licensure is a big goal of yours, then I would take that into high consideration when making your choice. But there are a lot of other things to consider: did you like the people at these schools? Could you see yourself working in either environment? How is faculty research fit? I think you need to consider these but also do what's best for your goals. I vote go with the high APA rate program
 
Since I began my search in this thread, it seems fitting that I come back while I am deciding. It's ok if you move me to the help me decide thread.

OK, so fastforward to two weeks ago, when I got accepted to 6! (craziness) schools. Much the advice given to me about funding ended up being very true, so I bow down to you guys.

I've narrowed it down to two schools, and the one big difference preventing me from choosing my "heart" school over my "head" school is the APA match rate. (if you'd like to help out with other differences, PM me)

One has a very high match rate, and the other has an almost non-existent match rate, in that no one has applied to APA internships over the past 7 years (but the program has assured me that people have applied before that).

Now, unsurprisingly, the program that has a high match rate has told me that it is very important, and the program that doesn't has said a) that they will help me, if I go the APA match route, and b) they don't think it's essential.


I do want to leave the option of getting licensed open, and I've checked all of the states that require APA internships and the one big one that I didn't want to cross off the job market is California. Other than that, I want to work in schools, and eventually become an academic.

So my questions are: 1) How strongly should I factor in this match differential? 2) How hard is it to get an APA internship when coming from a school psych program that is APA accredited but hasn't had a recent history of sending students to get matched?
If you're interested in going into academia, my sense is that getting an APA internship is beneficial--for example, all of the faculty in my school psych program completed APA internships. The world of APA-accredited internships that are appropriate for school psychologists is a pretty small one, and internship programs are likely to recognize certain schools with a good track record of producing competitive students for APA internships. As such, my guess is that it really would be a good idea for you to attend a program with a high APA match rate if doing an APA internship is your goal.
 
HeyHeyHey13,

I am a school psychologist who graduated from Kent's school psychology programs (Ed. S.). I honestly can not remember what their requirements were but can tell you that my GPA for undergrad was 3.2 and my GRE was like at the 55th %ile. My advice is take more time practicing and preparing for the interview process as they value that as a much as your scores. I have a site where I give some advice on how to interview for a school psychology program. Good luck, and if you have any other questions about the process at Kent let me know.
 
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Hi there,

I officially completed my phd in school psych last summer, immediately after I completed my internship at a clinical psych internship consortium. I am completing a clin psych post-doc at the present, planning to complete EPPP in June, and have 1 school psych faculty offer on the table (and have two upcoming interviews to complete still). To respond to your question as to whether internship matters, I would just say this: there is probably a reason no student from the 1 program you mentioned (that hasn't had a student apply for APA internship in 7 years) does not have students applying for APA internships. Simply put, the program likely does not prepare students well clinically to be competitive for APA internship and/or dissuades students from going the APA internship route.

My recommendation is to know what your interests are before you make a decision on programs.

If you want to go into academia, know what your interests are. If your interests are in traditional school psych areas (for example, areas related to cog testing, academic behaviors, behavioral problems, ADHD school interventions, etc.), then the APA internship thing may not matter much to you. Same thing if your plan is to work in schools. You don't even need a phd if your plans are to work in the schools.

If you want to explore more mental health/clinical psych areas, which are more cutting edge and (in my opinion) more interesting/pertinent, you will probably want a program that has faculty who are trained and (thus) can provide training and experience in other areas outside of traditional school psychology practices (for example, peds, mental health issues in youth, ASDs). Good luck!
 
HeyHeyHey13,
I am a school psychologist who graduated from Kent's school psychology programs (Ed. S.). I honestly can not remember what their requirements were but can tell you that my GPA for undergrad was 3.2 and my GRE was like at the 55th %ile.

I am about to finish my undergrad this semester with a major in marketing and a minor in psychology (21 credit hours). However, I would love to do something with psychology and I have been leaning more toward school psychology. I am, however, concerned about the job outlook (read on NASP that the average age of school psychologists was 47 in 2007, means more job openings soon right? ..::fingers crossed::..) after spending 3 years in school though. :confused: I am also concerned about my chances of getting into a program as I also have a 3.2 GPA (have not yet taken the GRE... YET). For these reasons I have also considered just getting my MSW (or school counseling/LPC) but I'm not sure if I would like it as much since I am primarily interested in school psychology because of the children, testing/assessments and research opportunities. I am also interested in making a difference in how the school systems are dealing with children with special needs since I have many friends who are teachers and know of a school who has placed 15 special ed students (plus a cognitively disabled student) in one class (total of 25), (doesn't seem very efficient to me, thank you budget cuts).

I guess what I am asking is what type of job should I be pursuing now to put my on the right track (since I only have a minor)? What types of places should I volunteer (so far my only experience is working with kids 4th-12th grade coaching sports, had a player who was a foster child and diagnosed bipolar.. family wasn't exactly the best fit for her so kind of took her under my wing, another reason I am interested in this field)? What score should I be aiming for on the GRE (my undergrad is from a small private liberal arts college, and somewhat frustrated with the fact that many professors do not believe in giving out A's so the entire student body's GPA's suffer as a result; however, their students have been known to kill the GRE so I am hoping this is the case)? How can I get research experience (closest I have to research experience is my marketing research class, so it is obviously different)? Does anyone know anything about the NASP/APA approved programs in Michigan (MSU, Central, Andrews..)? As well as any advice you could give me at this point because I am SURE I am missing some important issues.
 
If you are applying next year for AY 2014-2015, taking a stats or research methods course in the fall may be a good idea if you want to increase your psych background. Also, since you are looking into Masters/EDS programs at this time, getting any applied and relevant experiences you can w/kids is probably a good idea (e.g. psych tech job, crisis hotline, teachers aid, maybe an Americorps job teaching for next year). Also, to learn more about the field, pick up "School Psychology for the 21st Century, Second Edition: Foundations and Practices" (by Merrell and colleagues, 2011). Good luck!
 
If you are applying next year for AY 2014-2015, taking a stats or research methods course in the fall may be a good idea if you want to increase your psych background. Also, since you are looking into Masters/EDS programs at this time, getting any applied and relevant experiences you can w/kids is probably a good idea (e.g. psych tech job, crisis hotline, teachers aid, maybe an Americorps job teaching for next year). Also, to learn more about the field, pick up "School Psychology for the 21st Century, Second Edition: Foundations and Practices" (by Merrell and colleagues, 2011). Good luck!

Thank you so much for the advice! I'm going to see if the library has that book. I have already taken calculus. marketing research and business stats.. Would business stats count toward anything or would it have to be a psychology stats class? Just wondering if it is more math based than psych I guess. Thanks again!
 
Bumping this thread.

Where is everyone going to be attending this fall? I'll be at UW-Madison :)
 
Congrats clar! I'm so happy that this thread got bumped, it has a lot of good information for prospective school psych doctorate students (like myself)!

I was wondering if anyone could provide insight into what good GRE "new" scores would be for school psych Ph.D & Psy.D programs. I have tried looking on the websites of some schools I am interested in and only a couple report enrolled students' GRE averages. Does anyone know about this?
 
Congrats clar! I'm so happy that this thread got bumped, it has a lot of good information for prospective school psych doctorate students (like myself)!

I was wondering if anyone could provide insight into what good GRE "new" scores would be for school psych Ph.D & Psy.D programs. I have tried looking on the websites of some schools I am interested in and only a couple report enrolled students' GRE averages. Does anyone know about this?

I would say shoot for at least the 50th percentile. Keep in mind that phd and psy.d programs are going to look for different things in an applicant. My GRE scores were subpar, but I managed to get into a good phd program thanks to my research experience!
 
Bumping this! Anyone apply (or in the process of applying to) school psychology programs for Fall 2014 entry? I applied to two PsyD programs and a handful of specialist level programs in NY!
 
Same here, mcvcm. I have applied at Albany, Alfred, Columbia and Plattsburgh in NYS specialist programs.

I applied to some out of state schools as well such as MSU and some others.
How is everything going for you so far and what programs did you choose?
 
Same here, mcvcm. I have applied at Albany, Alfred, Columbia and Plattsburgh in NYS specialist programs.

I applied to some out of state schools as well such as MSU and some others.
How is everything going for you so far and what programs did you choose?

Things are going well! I have my first interview in a couple weeks, so I'm starting to prep some answers to commonly asked questions and such.
 
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I am currently applying as well! Mainly to PsyD programs and some Ms.Ed. programs as well. Do you know where I can find some commonly asked questions? I'm not really sure how to prep for these interviews! Thanks!
 
Hi everyone,
I applied to four PsyD programs and will be interviewing at Rutgers, Hofstra, and St. John's. Slightly nervous :)
 
Hello everyone!

So glad I found this thread. Hopefully people are still here!

I got into three programs. Two are quite similar since they're both a Combined Clinical-School Psychology Psy.D. programs while the third one is a PhD in School Psychology at a prestigious school. All three are APA and NASP approved.

So which would be the best track for me if:
* focus is on children (the answer is all of the above lol)
* location-wise they're all great
* I already have a comfortable research and stat background from my M.Sc. and have been published under Clinical and Neuro focus
* I would want to start in the School setting but would like many, have a private side practice
* Money would not be an issue but I will be taking loans

I've noticed that there is a higher bearing or prestige in the PhD programs especially the one I got in since it's quite a well-known University but I would benefit a lot by the Combined Clinical-School programs since I have very little clinical practice since I did mostly research. I also would like to teach in a university in the far far future but this is not really a requirement for me.

What would be the most PRACTICAL program to apply if I would like to be accredited in NY? Financially and otherwise.

Thank you in advance!
 
I am having a very similar struggle! I am currently trying to decide whether to attend a school psych PhD program, a school psych PsyD program (that has a lot of opportunity to conduct research individually and with faculty as well as the opportunity to take extra coursework in research methods/stats) and a PsyD in a combined clinical child-school psych program. I am also trying to determine which degree with be the most financially beneficial upon graduation and would love to be part of a university's faculty in the future (but my primary goal is to work directly with children).

My thought is that the combined degree provides students with experience working with children with a wide range of psychological difficulties in various types of settings which I believe would make you more marketable by the time you are going on your full-time internship.

It is also becoming much more common for PsyDs to be assistant professors in universities. However, I believe that with a PhD, the opportunity to be part of a faculty is pretty much guaranteed while with a PsyD it may be a little more difficult to secure a position. But not impossible by any means!

PhDs are definitely considered "more prestigious" BUT if you're PRIMARY goal is to work directly with children, not conduct research or teach in a university, then a PsyD will definitely give you the experience you need to succeed!
 
Hi Guys,
I have always wanted to work with kids. I don't know if it because of my disability, but they seem to gravitate towards me. I would love to work in a hospital setting; I was in and out of them as a child. I know how harsh that environment can be.
I could use some advice. I am currently getting a BSW and a minor and psych. I was planning to graduate next summer, but I want to go back and double in psych. My major requires an internship and the end up the major, hoping to get an internship that's child related. I will be taking the GRE in August. I have a 3.8 GPA, was an elementary stats tutor and an activity coordinator at a nursing home. I was in the process of starting an honors thesis, but decided I'm not ready for such a huge project. I have don't research experience yet. The social work department doesn't really allow DIS. I know when I get back over to the psych department I will be able to get into some labs to do research. I would eventually like to teach at a university as well.
I was a psych major when I first transferred from CC to uni. I switched to SW. The fear began to set in that what if I don't get into a PhD program? I love my SW program, however my heart is with psych.
What would you do if you were in my position?
I was thinking I could get a EdS first.... but would it be a waste of time if I want to teach/work in a hospital?
I have a about two years left in undergrad but is that enough time to gain research experience?
How many schools did y'all apply to? Would you suggest doing a mix of PhD and EdS for backup?
Any advice would be appreciated!
ANC
 
I am having a very similar struggle! I am currently trying to decide whether to attend a school psych PhD program, a school psych PsyD program (that has a lot of opportunity to conduct research individually and with faculty as well as the opportunity to take extra coursework in research methods/stats) and a PsyD in a combined clinical child-school psych program.

1. Which offers the best funding?
2. Which will saddle you with the least amount of debt? (consider cost of living, time to completion, RA/TA options, etc)
3. Only consider programs that are NASP acred. and for the combined program it really should be APA-acred., even if you don't plan on going through the APPIC Match process (a clinical psych requirement).
 
1. Which offers the best funding?
2. Which will saddle you with the least amount of debt? (consider cost of living, time to completion, RA/TA options, etc)
3. Only consider programs that are NASP acred. and for the combined program it really should be APA-acred., even if you don't plan on going through the APPIC Match process (a clinical psych requirement).

Thanks for the advice! All of the programs I applied to are APA accredited and NASP approved. Any other recommendations besides funding and accreditation? All of the schools that I am considering are relatively equal as far as financial aid goes (except for the combined clinical-school program).
 
Hello everyone!

So glad I found this thread. Hopefully people are still here!

I got into three programs. Two are quite similar since they're both a Combined Clinical-School Psychology Psy.D. programs while the third one is a PhD in School Psychology at a prestigious school. All three are APA and NASP approved.

So which would be the best track for me if:
* focus is on children (the answer is all of the above lol)
* location-wise they're all great
* I already have a comfortable research and stat background from my M.Sc. and have been published under Clinical and Neuro focus
* I would want to start in the School setting but would like many, have a private side practice
* Money would not be an issue but I will be taking loans

I've noticed that there is a higher bearing or prestige in the PhD programs especially the one I got in since it's quite a well-known University but I would benefit a lot by the Combined Clinical-School programs since I have very little clinical practice since I did mostly research. I also would like to teach in a university in the far far future but this is not really a requirement for me.

What would be the most PRACTICAL program to apply if I would like to be accredited in NY? Financially and otherwise.

Thank you in advance!


I'm in a very similar situation as well. Which schools are you deciding between? I am also deciding upon schools in the NY area. I have gotten into several PsyD programs and one PhD program. I would like to work in schools for some time but then much later on I think I would want to work in private practice or even go into teaching

Do you think a PhD will take me further or will a PsyD? I know a PsyD provides more practical experience, but do you think it is possible to do the same with a PhD and just take on additional practica (if possible)? I feel like in a field like school psychology, you are getting a lot of practical experience regardless of whether it is a PhD or a PsyD (at least that's the impression I'm getting).
 
I'm in a very similar situation as well. Which schools are you deciding between? I am also deciding upon schools in the NY area. I have gotten into several PsyD programs and one PhD program. I would like to work in schools for some time but then much later on I think I would want to work in private practice or even go into teaching

Do you think a PhD will take me further or will a PsyD? I know a PsyD provides more practical experience, but do you think it is possible to do the same with a PhD and just take on additional practica (if possible)? I feel like in a field like school psychology, you are getting a lot of practical experience regardless of whether it is a PhD or a PsyD (at least that's the impression I'm getting).

Hi there! I am a current 3rd year PsyD in an NY state program. I too decided between PhD and PsyD. Ultimately, I sided with PsyD for the built in practica components from the very first semester, in tandem with necessary course requirements. I liked the parallel process of learning the theory and fundamentals and being able to directly apply them that same week in the schools/clinics. While PhDs can get you the same experience, it will most likely happen after 1-2 years of being in whichever program you decide on, and on the whole, the program will likely take you an additional year.

As far as benefits when you are seeking out an internship, the APPIC match process for APA-accredited SP internships relies heavily on the hours you have accrued doing direct intervention (counseling, consultation, etc.), assessment, and supervision.
 
Hi there! I am a current 3rd year PsyD in an NY state program. I too decided between PhD and PsyD. Ultimately, I sided with PsyD for the built in practica components from the very first semester, in tandem with necessary course requirements. I liked the parallel process of learning the theory and fundamentals and being able to directly apply them that same week in the schools/clinics. While PhDs can get you the same experience, it will most likely happen after 1-2 years of being in whichever program you decide on, and on the whole, the program will likely take you an additional year.

As far as benefits when you are seeking out an internship, the APPIC match process for APA-accredited SP internships relies heavily on the hours you have accrued doing direct intervention (counseling, consultation, etc.), assessment, and supervision.

Just as a quick reply to this--I honestly don't know if there are any hard-and-fast trends when it comes to the timing of beginning clinical practica. I know of clinical Ph.D. programs (e.g., mine) that begin clinical work in the first semester, and I've heard of/seen transcripts from Psy.D. programs that hold off until the second year. As such, my recommendation would just be to evaluate each program on a case-by-case basis, weighing the various merits altogether and in comparison to other programs in which you're interested. There's just so much graying between the Ph.D. vs. Psy.D. nowadays (and so much variability within each degree type) that you really do need to approach it at the level of the individual program.

As for the APPIC match, hours are definitely important, but once you hit a site's explicit or implicit requirement, it generally becomes more an issue of quality than quantity. And there are of course numerous other factors which also come into play (e.g., research productivity, clinical and research match with the internship site, etc.).
 
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Just as a quick reply to this--I honestly don't know if there are any hard-and-fast trends when it comes to the timing of beginning clinical practica. I know of clinical Ph.D. programs (e.g., mine) that begin clinical work in the first semester, and I've heard of/seen transcripts from Psy.D. programs that hold off until the second year. As such, my recommendation would just be to evaluate each program on a case-by-case basis, weighing the various merits altogether and in comparison to other programs in which you're interested. There's just so much graying between the Ph.D. vs. Psy.D. nowadays (and so much variability within each degree type) that you really do need to approach it at the level of the individual program.

As for the APPIC match, hours are definitely important, but once you hit a site's explicit or implicit requirement, it generally becomes more an issue of quality than quantity. And there are of course numerous other factors which also come into play (e.g., research productivity, clinical and research match with the internship site, etc.).

Great insight from someone that clearly has more knowledge and experience than I! On a more personal level, while individual program is most important to examine, I would like to note an apparent bias that still seems to exist toward looking more favorably upon PhD programs when it came to seeking out competitive internship placements. While I was fortunate enough to match from a very small school psychology PsyD program, APPIC match statistics, anecdotal evidence I have heard at both state and national conferences from trainers and professionals alike, and the general lack of fit when it came to APPIC application support suggests that this bias is in fact legitimate, albeit unwarranted.

I would imagine this stems from the nature in which PsyD programs came to fruition and the generational biases associated with the trainers and program directors of APPIC sites. Again, I just thought it worth mentioning but bottom line, researching the programs individually and meeting with/discussing with faculty and trainers in said programs would be the best way to decide on where to attend!
 
Can any of you suggest good Masters level Clinical Child/School Psychology programs?
 
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