Dual professional degrees

Started by voyeurofthemind
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voyeurofthemind

voyeurofthemind

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Psychologist
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Just wanted some feedback, especially from those in the field that have some experience with practice under their belt. Does anyone have any opinions on how lucrative a PsyD / JD degree would be in the field. Yes, I know University of Denver offers that option but I am already in another PsyD program so I would most likely be completing the JD later down the road.

Assuming the debt for PsyD is taken care of and I had means to pay for the JD... How lucrative would this be and in what areas of practice would one work. I know an MD / JD is not too all uncommon (i.e. medical malpractice), but would this work well within the psychological model of healthcare delivery. Most likely I would work as a practitioner for a while for a few years and get rid of the PsyD debt (I am not overwhelmed with this debt) and then go back and continue to work while completing a JD through an evening program. Granted it would take a while for the JD but in the end could one carve out a fairly lucrative niche with this combination?
 
voyeurofthemind said:
Just wanted some feedback, especially from those in the field that have some experience with practice under their belt. Does anyone have any opinions on how lucrative a PsyD / JD degree would be in the field. Yes, I know University of Denver offers that option but I am already in another PsyD program so I would most likely be completing the JD later down the road.

Assuming the debt for PsyD is taken care of and I had means to pay for the JD... How lucrative would this be and in what areas of practice would one work. I know an MD / JD is not too all uncommon (i.e. medical malpractice), but would this work well within the psychological model of healthcare delivery. Most likely I would work as a practitioner for a while for a few years and get rid of the PsyD debt (I am not overwhelmed with this debt) and then go back and continue to work while completing a JD through an evening program. Granted it would take a while for the JD but in the end could one carve out a fairly lucrative niche with this combination?
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Phase 1: collect underpants.
Phase 2?
Phase 3: profit

But seriously, are you gonna let us in on what you want the degree for? I would ONLY go that route if you know what you want to do with and know that you actually need it to do that. Law school and the bar exam aren't easy things to do. Frankly after a Ph.D. I wouldnt go back to school if someone paid me...
 
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voyeurofthemind said:
but in the end could one carve out a fairly lucrative niche with this combination?
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We have an instructor at our school who became an attorney after being a practicing psychologist for many years. She is no longer a psychologist, as far as I know. But she has the distinction of being THE adjunct professor who teaches law & ethics to graduate students (woo hoo!!).

Seriously, though, I believe she also does a fair amount of consulting and such. If you want her info, PM me. Maybe you could ask her for some advice?
 
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Therapist4Chnge said:
98% of the time it isn't worth the time/effort/money...as most people either practice law or psychology. You need a very very good reason to want to go through the training for both, or else it will be a waste of time.
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Only thing I can think of is working for HMOs in the corporate side of healthcare management for mental health professions or malpractice side of psych... but I suppose you don't need a clinical background to practice law in the area.
 
Therapist4Chnge said:
98% of the time it isn't worth the time/effort/money...as most people either practice law or psychology. You need a very very good reason to want to go through the training for both, or else it will be a waste of time.
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This. And the 2% either go back and forth OR are strictly interested in mental health law reform (i.e., the legal side of the matter, seeking to impose policy change) OR are interested in the effects of certain mental health law reforms (i.e., death penalty-related things).

A good faculty example is LaFontaine out of U Arizona.

AJ
 
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