Accredited School Psychology Doctoral Programs.. APA or NASP more important????

[OasisStudent]

Okay, so I'm looking for School Psychology PhD programs and have looked into the programs, research areas that are a good fit and are of interest to me. Some of these programs are both APA and NASP accredited, but then there are some programs like UC Berkley, Tulane and some others that are JUST APA accredited and then those like UDelaware and Indiana Univ of PA that are JUST NASP accredited.
If I mainly want to work in the schools but want more options that the PhD degree will provide like one day teach at a University, which programs would be sufficient for that goal. I would like to have a small private practice someday in the summers conducting psychological assessments so I would NEED to be in an APA program to get liscensure, but then I want to be adequately trained to work in the schools and NASP approve programs that do this..

I am applying to schools with both APA and NASP accreditations but which accreditations APA or NASP are most important for a doctoral SP to be trained in if they had to choose?

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[saurus]

Honestly, I think it makes more sense to apply to programs that are both APA and NASP approved because it makes your life easier in the long run. But, if I had to choose one over the other, I would think really hard about future career goals. If you want to be a practitioner, NASP would be it, but if you think academia is in your future, then APA.

See pages 6-7:

http://www.nasponline.org/students/degreefactsheet.pdf

 

[PhDshallsee]

I applied to only schools (and accepted at a school) that had both.

I wouldn't do it any other way if I had to do it over.

 

[aagman01]

If you want to do a phd and want career flexibility, definately try to get both NASP and APA. I started out in a educational specialist program in an APA only endorsed program. THe training was horrible. I switched into a doctoral program that was accredited by both APA and NASP - much better! THe APA program actually lost its APA accredition soon after I left! NASP requires better training that is specific to school contexts; APA requires training for doctoral students only, and is more general in training requirements (i.e. less of a school speciific focus.

 

[futurepsydoc]

Honestly, I think it makes more sense to apply to programs that are both APA and NASP approved because it makes your life easier in the long run. But, if I had to choose one over the other, I would think really hard about future career goals. If you want to be a practitioner, NASP would be it, but if you think academia is in your future, then APA.

See pages 6-7:

http://www.nasponline.org/students/degreefactsheet.pdf

I applied to only schools (and accepted at a school) that had both.

I wouldn't do it any other way if I had to do it over.

I agree with the two posters above.

As my supervisor said to me: If it happens once it is notable, twice its a coincidence, three times its a pattern.

I agree then and now. There seems to pattern on this thread. Why take a risk? Hedge your bets and aim for a program that is accredited by both.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Some people choose non-APA / non-NASP programs because of geographic restrictions....but it really behooves the student to find a program that meets both standards.

 

[krisrox]

I want to resurrect this thread.

I'm applying to a program that is not currently APA-accredited, but a faculty assured me that they were seeking accreditation and hope to have it in the next 2 years. This program has several students that have multiple posters and publications and has a good reputation. Should I automatically nix it from my list? It's in a good location, too!

 

[psychgirl77]

I want to resurrect this thread.

I'm applying to a program that is not currently APA-accredited, but a faculty assured me that they were seeking accreditation and hope to have it in the next 2 years. This program has several students that have multiple posters and publications and has a good reputation. Should I automatically nix it from my list? It's in a good location, too!

I think you have to look at it this way: If the program does not gain accreditation while you are there, are you okay with that? If not, I wouldn't apply there, because gaining accredititation is not 100% guaranteed.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I want to resurrect this thread.

I'm applying to a program that is not currently APA-accredited, but a faculty assured me that they were seeking accreditation and hope to have it in the next 2 years. This program has several students that have multiple posters and publications and has a good reputation. Should I automatically nix it from my list? It's in a good location, too!

I am in the same situation, times three, only one program--ultra research-focused--doesn't seem particular interested in gaining APA status. I'm planning to apply anyway, and then inquire further if I get an interview, but yeah, it does raise questions. The other two programs I have fewer doubts about in terms of gaining accreditation due to their histories (one used to be a combined program that split) and faculty.

Can I ask the program? (You can PM me, and I'd PM you back).

 

[JP West]

I see no reason why you can't politely inquire about any program's status in the APA accreditation process. In fact, I would inquire before investing the time and $ on an application to the site if non-APA status is going to be a deal breaker.

I am a school psyc. phd student in a NASP and APA approved program, and to reiterate what the above posters said, having both should move a program to the top of your list. It gives you the most flexibility for practicing school psyc. in different states, as well as expanding your scope of practice beyond the school. Plus, it makes the faculty accountable for a certain level of training that you are going to want since you doing an applied degree.

 

[aagman01]

A few things....

(a) I know a person in a phd program that told her it was seeking accredition. Guess what......as she was completing her dissertation this past year, she and her program found out that APA accredition was DENIED (a program in southwest Illinois).

(b) You can (as my friend is) get licensed without being in an APA accredited program and without doing an APA internship. Doing so just requires you to shoot through a few more hoops (i.e. providing course syllabi, including numerous work samples, etc.).

(c) Just to throw some constructive criticism at you..... Good luck on starting your own practice in summers only. From people I have talked to, starting your own practice is EXTREMELY challenging. It is not like opening a hot dog stand or anything.

With that said...Best of luck as you seek entrance into a doctoral program!

I see no reason why you can't politely inquire about any program's status in the APA accreditation process. In fact, I would inquire before investing the time and $ on an application to the site if non-APA status is going to be a deal breaker.

I am a school psyc. phd student in a NASP and APA approved program, and to reiterate what the above posters said, having both should move a program to the top of your list. It gives you the most flexibility for practicing school psyc. in different states, as well as expanding your scope of practice beyond the school. Plus, it makes the faculty accountable for a certain level of training that you are going to want since you doing an applied degree.

 

[4Ever]

A couple of the programs I am considering are not NASP-approved programs.

Sure, I will definitely have to jump through more hoops in order to become a nationally certified school psychologist, such as having to create a portfolio specifically for the certification. And, sure, there are a few states that absolutely require a NASP-approved program in order to become licensed as a school psychologist. (I don't have any interest in practicing in those states, so there is no issue there.)

Is there something that I haven't considered? Are there other negatives to attending only an APA-accredited program in school psychology that I need to think about?

 

[Yellowbrickroad]

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[aagman01]

Ideally, you would be a program that is both APA and NASP certified. The nice thing about a doctoral program also having NASP certification is that is demonstrates that the faculty of the program hold a vested interest in providing solid school-based training. Not having a NASP certification, though, does NOT mean a program does not provide solid training. The program may be more clinically or research focused, for example, and place a lower priority on school-based portions of training or on having that NASP certificate for their phd students (because of the research or clinical focus).

If your plan is to work in a school, though, why even do a phd? From salaries and the like I have heard, the pay differential is minimal between doctoral vs. masters/specialist level.

I have heard differences in salary ranging from 0 to $2000 per year with the doctorate. Even a $2000 difference is minimal. When you consider that you are forgoing 2 years of full-salary (at the minimum) to do your doctorate, you end up losing money in the doctorate. That does not even account for the huge amount of loss of personal time and what not you are losing doing your phd.

Think about it ..... best case scenario, say you make $2000 more with your phd. Over 30 years, that is only $60,000 more. Your starting salary as a school psych can vary be region, but is on a higher scale than teacher salaries almost every where and is generally between $40,000 and $60,000 depending on the state/school district. Even if you are fortunate to be fully funded throughout phd program, your only making $10,000-$15,000 per year and probably taking out some loans. So there is really little financial incentive to doing a phd.

There are certainly reasons to still do your phd, don't get me wrong. You get a wider array of skills. Are more literate in the scientific literature. Can have more flexibility down the road with your career (even though it seems from people I meet that those who go straight into schools are somewhat pigeon-holed with respect to career flexibility). I meet so many people, though, who are doing it more for ego reasons than for professional reasons. Don't want to convince people not to do the phd route, just be mindful of your future career aspirations & options available. Good luck

This is exactly what I am wondering. Any thoughts out there?

 

[Yellowbrickroad]

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[aagman01]

Just an FYI............I know 2 school psychs who are both in administration without phds. One was completing his phd while in the administrative position (in a large urban district), while the other only had the eds degree and was not enrolled in a doctoral program (and still is not). Incidentially, I am doing research with my advisor that was facilitated by the "eds-only" administrator (in an affluent suburban school district). Neither had any teaching or school administrative experience prior to entering work in the schools as a school psych. Both started as eds level school psychs, and both advanced within a few years into administration.

The phd is, though, i would think helpful towards getting an administrative position if that is your interest. I would think getting your EDS and school administrative certification would, though, be just as useful if not more.

Thanks for your input, Aagman01.

I'm definitely aware of the lack of pay differential. But, I want to not only work as a psychologist in the schools, but I also want to do research in them as well. Eventually, I would like to be a school psychology administrator for a district, which I have been told generally does need a PhD.

It's not about ego at all. I just want to be as highly trained as possible and have the most options available to me. It's one thing to want to work in a school system. But, it's quite another, for me at least, to know that I can ONLY work in a school system. I have to have the option of working outside the schools, or I will probably suffocate.

 

[Yellowbrickroad]

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[aagman01]

Just thrown some thoughts out there. Best of luck in applying this fall!

Well, that is good to know. But, I still need to keep all avenues open (such as academia), and the PhD is the best way to do it. . . . I want to get a solid grounding in research and to do research that interests me. Believe me, I have thought long and hard about whether to pursue the PhD. For me, it isn't about ego at all. It also obviously isn't about money because there really doesn't appear to be a benefit (monetarily), for me, in getting the PhD. It is about being able to learn from solid researchers for more than just two years. It is about having options open to me outside of the schools, and it is about loving education and wanting to achieve the highest degree possible. . . .

But, it is good to know that if something should happen during my doctoral studies, and I have to end up cutting them short, that I will be able to just obtain the EdS and will be able to do a lot of what I am interested in doing. So thanks again for the info.

 

[Yellowbrickroad]

Thanks!!! The assistance that you and everyone else has provided has been invaluable. (It's good to know that, should I not get into a PhD program, my back-up plan of obtaining the EdS should allow me to achieve most of my goals.)