Clinical psych re-specialization

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dric1007

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Hi,

I am currently a licensed educational psychologist with a PsyD in Ed Psych from Alliant. I know I've already read the bad reviews but too late now... I would like to re-specialize to clinical psych. I've contacted a few programs. So far Alliant is the one that would take me (of course). My reservation is the cost and time when I am already practicing and have a lot of financial obligations. I've considered an online program. Typically I wouldn't do an online program but since I already have my doctorate from a University I am not sure how much it matters. My goal is to expand my practice and become dually licensed.

Anyways any tips on re-specialization? Should I attend an online like CalSouthern?


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The same caveats that apply for people seeking to get their first doctorate online apply for re-specialization students as well. Online institutions cannot provide appropriate training settings for practica. They also are not APA accredited, which means you'd be limited in licensing (if you could even get licensed with an online degree in whichever state you live), and you'd be limited in job possibilities straight off the bat. I think going that route would be highly unlikely to end well.
 
You may want to consider Fielding, which is in California, offers online instruction and is APA accredited.

http://www.fielding.edu/programs/psychology/rcpC

Some folks on this board may tell you that Fielding is problematic, but you have to do what is best for you and what makes sense in your individual and unique situation.

There are many different paths towards licensure in psychology and not everyone can go to the best school, obtain the best practica and internship ... but despite not getting the best of the best, people still manage to graduate, get licensed and have viable careers.
 
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What do you do with your current degree? I am a bit confused. Your current degree does not enable you to be a licensed mental health clinican of some sort? I thought a psy.d prorgam/curriculum was, by defintion, an applied degree.
 
I've been seeing more and more "PsyD" programs that do not lead to clinical licensure - like in I/O. It puzzles me because I also thought that a PsyD was for applied clinical work.
I just do not see how you can learn everything you need to know to become a clinical psychologist online. Regardless of your current degree, you will be caring for others and should seek out the best training, not convenient training. At a minimum, the program needs to be APA accredited. However, I don't think that is even close to enough any more.
 
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