Getting a PsyD degree online

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asand221

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I am considering getting my PsyD degree online. Finding accredited online schools is the easy part. I am to find programs that either do not require having a Master's or offer the chance to obtain the Master's while taking the PsyD program. I found two so far. Can anyone help lead me in the right direction?
 
Others will likely post more in-depth replies, but doctoral training in clinical psychology is, in my opinion, not something that currently can or should be done online. As for accreditation, a program that's "accredited" by some random "regional" organization is not nearly the same as APA or CPA accreditation, which are essentially the only two accrediting bodies that currently matter (with APS looking to soon change that perchance). Convincing a regulatory board to grant you licensure is going to be a huge uphill battle, assuming you're able to secure an internship and gather appropriate in-person clinical hours and supervision prior to applying for your license (which are big assumptions to make).

Your time and money would be much, much better spent elsewhere...either obtaining a degree from a reputable brick-and-mortar program or deciding on another field of study/career path.
 
Well thank you for responding. I have found two APA accredited online schools that offer the Psyd programs, I also know that there are much more, but the two I found do not require the Master's. I know someone who is getting their degree in PsyD online as well and in fact he is the one who guided me toward the option. I know it isn't the best option but all I am trying to do is EXPLORE all options... Where I want to move doesn't have the program I am seeking within a resonable radius. Before I move I wanted to just verify if the move is even worth the while given my circumstances in looking for a good school.
 
I found Nova Southeastern University and Regent that state they are APA accredited, not only through their official site but through other means as well. APA.org being one of them.
 
The last time I checked (and actually visited in person in 2012) NSU does not offer online Psy.D. programs. They offer online master's degrees in general and forensic psychology and a master's in counseling (not to be confused with counseling psychology). I am not too sure if you may understand fully the process of how one essentially becomes a practicing psychologist. Roughly speaking (in rare, and trying cases) someone will get a doctoral degree (Psy.D./ Ph.D.) in counseling, school or clinical psychology from a degree mill or non-APA/CPA accredited school and get licensed...and much less get internship hours prior to even convincing your state board to qualify your coursework and degree is equal or on par with an APA/CPA accredited program.

Taking this rough view, a school can be accredited (Southern Association of Colleges and School, etc.) but not accredited in their individual third party accrediting bodies (APA/CPA, etc.). What this means is, you would get a degree from this school, pump in thousands of dollars, time and other resources involved to obtain this degree only to be stopped from becoming a psychologist because the program is not APA/CPA accredited. In fact, many universities shun away those who obtain online degrees (Argosy, Phoenix) from obtaining teaching positions, especially community college jobs. There are exceptions to the rule, however, they are the outliers.
 
CogNeuroGuy said:
The last time I checked (and actually visited in person in 2012) NSU does not offer online Psy.D. programs. They offer online master's degrees in general and forensic psychology and a master's in counseling (not to be confused with counseling psychology). I am not too sure if you may understand fully the process of how one essentially becomes a practicing psychologist. Roughly speaking (in rare, and trying cases) someone will get a doctoral degree (Psy.D./ Ph.D.) in counseling, school or clinical psychology from a degree mill or non-APA/CPA accredited school and get licensed...and much less get internship hours prior to even convincing your state board to qualify your coursework and degree is equal or on par with an APA/CPA accredited program.

Taking this rough view, a school can be accredited (Southern Association of Colleges and School, etc.) but not accredited in their individual third party accrediting bodies (APA/CPA, etc.). What this means is, you would get a degree from this school, pump in thousands of dollars, time and other resources involved to obtain this degree only to be stopped from becoming a psychologist because the program is not APA/CPA accredited. In fact, many universities shun away those who obtain online degrees (Argosy, Phoenix) from obtaining teaching positions, especially community college jobs. There are exceptions to the rule, however, they are the outliers.
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So in other words OP, listen to us and stay with them.
 
xXIDaShizIXx said:
So in other words OP, listen to us and stay with them.
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Obviously, life is hard enough in the clinical psychology world without lethally hamstringing your career with an online doctoral degree.
 
Regent is also not an online program. They have an APA accredited program, but I would not suggest their program as they have been cited by the APA before for diversity violations and other issues. It is also a religious insitution founded by Pat Robertson, so be aware.
 
Sanman said:
Regent is also not an online program. They have an APA accredited program, but I would not suggest their program as they have been cited by the APA before for diversity violations and other issues. It is also a religious insitution founded by Pat Robertson, so be aware.
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Is Regent the program that has (had?) the professor who researched reparative therapy for same-sex attraction?

EDIT: This is who I was thinking of, though his work seems to walk to line between reparative and affirming therapy :???: http://www.regent.edu/acad/schcou/facultystaff/fac_bio/yarhouse.htm
 
Last edited:
futureapppsy2 said:
Is Regent the program that has (had?) the professor who researched reparative therapy for same-sex attraction?

EDIT: This is who I was thinking of, though his work seems to walk to line between reparative and affirming therapy :???: http://www.regent.edu/acad/schcou/facultystaff/fac_bio/yarhouse.htm
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YES. Mark Yarhouse is the type of clinician who is (IMO) a threat to our field... whose shoddy methodology can seriously be used in some pretty awful ways. YIKES :scared:
 
asand221 said:
Where I want to move doesn't have the program I am seeking within a resonable radius.
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To be frank, if this is your primary reason for considering these programs, you should probably just seek a different career path that will let you go to training where you want to live. Paying that much for a degree that will be looked at with disdain, in a field that will not allow you to pay back the massive educational debt incurred from such a degree, is a bad decision.
 
Sanman said:
Regent is also not an online program. They have an APA accredited program, but I would not suggest their program as they have been cited by the APA before for diversity violations and other issues. It is also a religious insitution founded by Pat Robertson, so be aware.
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Man that would be an extreme red flag to me...
 
ClinPsychEnthus said:
YES. Mark Yarhouse is the type of clinician who is (IMO) a threat to our field... whose shoddy methodology can seriously be used in some pretty awful ways. YIKES :scared:
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Yeah. It's interesting how he kind of downplays the reparative aspect on his website (making it seem more like acceptance), even though if you read deeper, reparative-like goals of lifelong celibacy or mixed orientation marriages really are what he seems to be promoting.
 
Sanman said:
I did the old fashioned way...found my degree at the bottom of a Cracker Jack box. When is the last time you even saw a Cracker Jack box?
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I hear you can use snail mail now. Takes about 2-4 weeks but its just as pretty as the one from the cracker jack box.😀
 
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