Hey. I have not been accepted yet, but my choices for PsyD might be between Alliant LA and Argosy OC. Im super confused about which school is better, or if both are good/bad! someone please offer me some feedback!!!! thanks!
I explored those programs and know of some similarities and differences that might help. They are both APA accredited, both require critical literature review for doc project (as opposed to dissertation), both will cost you about the same, both share a lot of practicum sites in LA and Orange County areas.
A major difference is the practicum. Argosy requires a psychological testing first practicum. Alliant does not. Argosy ensures that the students complete a fair amount of testing. While Alliant does not require a testing practicum, they are available and the student is able to decide if it is an interest. Of course, both programs require several testing classes. While Argosy OC is set up with 2 years of practicum followed by the requirement of a full time internship, Alliant LA(and formerly Alliant SD) is set up with two 1/2 time (CAPIC) internships occurring in years 3 and 4. A student can opt for applying to the match for full time internship in year 4, but most do not. The school makes it harder requiring completion of all other requirements before allowed to apply to match(check this, may have changed). APA has tried to get Alliant to discontinue this model so more students will apply for internship through APPIC. The SD campus did recently change this model. Alliant has more elective and emphasis areas available(multi cultural, family, etc.). At my Alliant campus (SD), there were consultation groups weekly while in 1/2 time internship and school liaisons for the different sites. All of these 1/2 time internships provide a valuable service to the local areas as these agencies have limited resources. You will not get paid as well with 1/2 time internships. While many students here in CA are fine without APA internships, I know many have different opinions and some jobs require APA internship and program.
Alliant or CSPP has been around California for a long time. If you ask a lot of clinicians in the area what they think, most will say CSPP because they know the name. That does not mean it's better, just better known. Argosy OC just received APA accreditation and they worked the students very hard while they were pursing it(according to several Argosy OC students whom I met).
Hope this helps
