Less Competitive Clinical Ph.D. programs?

[aydee14]

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I was advised to pick some "less competitive" programs to apply to as backups. However all the programs I have seen that have fewer applicants per cycle/more offers made, also have poor internship match rates and/or are not fully funded. Are there any less competitive programs that don't have these drawbacks?

 

[bcliff]

I was advised to pick some "less competitive" programs to apply to as backups. However all the programs I have seen that have fewer applicants per cycle/more offers made, also have poor internship match rates and/or are not fully funded. Are there any less competitive programs that don't have these drawbacks?

Look for programs in geographically undesirable locations (i.e. rural areas, cities like Detroit, etc.), and programs that are either newly accredited, or programs that are at reputable universities that are new and actively applying for accreditation. This last option is a little risky since it's possible the program won't gain accreditation, but I would consider it a relatively safe gamble as long as the program is part of a university with a solid reputation. All clinical programs are competitive, so "less competitive" is really a relative term, but flexibility in location is probably the #1 best way to increase your odds.

As always, make sure you have a solid research match!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Look for programs in geographically undesirable locations (i.e. rural areas, cities like Detroit, etc.), and programs that are either newly accredited, or programs that are at reputable universities that are new and actively applying for accreditation. This last option is a little risky since it's possible the program won't gain accreditation, but I would consider it a relatively safe gamble as long as the program is part of a university with a solid reputation. All clinical programs are competitive, so "less competitive" is really a relative term, but flexibility in location is probably the #1 best way to increase your odds.

As always, make sure you have a solid research match!

This is pretty much exactly what I would say. Personally, I'm a little too risk-averse to apply to currently-unaccredited programs, regardless of how far along in the process they might be, but that's just me. But like briarcliff mentions, "less competitive" is relative, and even these programs will still be very competitive. However, by looking in less-desirable geographic locations, you're going to likely increase your chances of gaining some interviews, assuming there's still solid fit with the programs.

 

[aydee14]

Thanks! Is there a list of recently accredited programs?

 

[bcliff]

Thanks! Is there a list of recently accredited programs?

Check out psychologymaps.com - It doesn't rank schools in chronological order of accreditation, but it does show a comprehensive map of all APA accredited PhD programs.

 

[guy8720]

Recently accredited programs:

University of Colorado, Denver (Clinical PhD) - effective March 14, 2014
University of South Alabama (Clinical/Counseling PhD) - effective June 7, 2013
Midwestern University, Downers Grove (Clinical PsyD) - effective September 18, 2012

Source: http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/accreditation-decisions.aspx

 

[irish80122]

I am the director of clinical training at Mississippi State University. We have a fairly new (roughly 1 year old) Clinical Psychology PhD program that was evolved from our master's program, so while we are in our first year we already have three cohorts of students. We are not yet APA accredited, but are one of those new programs that are actively working toward APA accreditation as quickly as possible. I strongly encourage that you take a peek at our faculty and see if we may be a good fit for you. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me (faculty page here: http://www.psychology.msstate.edu/people/staff.php?id=730&itk=3941f1171e532646a52260c28e9729fb).

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

It's nice to see some old names pop back up. Congrats on the gig irish!

Proof that people do in fact make it through. 😉

Of course…I'm still at work, so it isn't all puppies and rainbows!

 

[irish80122]

Thanks T4C, I appreciate it. I know of several people who used to be on this board and are now faculty members. It is pretty amazing, and is a testament to those who post here.

I still lurk on the board every now and again, but also try to avoid it because I know that students and applicants need a place to talk, and there are times it is helpful to have a DCT around, and other times it is helpful for us to be doing other things 🙂.

Thanks for all you do, T4C, you are a great asset to the board!

 

[ADDICTED2STATS]

As I started reading this thread, I thought I might suggest looking at recently created PhD programs at solid universities (e.g., Mississippi State and/or North Dakota State). Apparently Irish beat me to it (it seems one of us has been more focused on Fantasy Football than SDN 🙂).

Anyway, NDSU has a new Clinical Science PhD program, which will be accepting our fourth cohort. We, too, are planning to apply for accreditation as soon as possible (our first cohort is applying for internship this year - a requirement for the program to apply for accreditation). I would encourage potential students to look at both our clinical and health/social faculty (affiliated health/social faculty can also accept clinical students in our program).

We have faculty conducting research on emotion/cognition interactions, sleep, stress physiology, eating disorders, self-harm, developmental psychopathology, substance use/abuse, and self-regulation. You can check out our program here: http://www.ndsu.edu/psychology/graduate_programs/psychological_clinical_science/

 

[irish80122]

As I started reading this thread, I thought I might suggest looking at recently created PhD programs at solid universities (e.g., Mississippi State and/or North Dakota State). Apparently Irish beat me to it (it seems one of us has been more focused on Fantasy Football than SDN 🙂).

Anyway, NDSU has a new Clinical Science PhD program, which will be accepting our fourth cohort. We, too, are planning to apply for accreditation as soon as possible (our first cohort is applying for internship this year - a requirement for the program to apply for accreditation). I would encourage potential students to look at both our clinical and health/social faculty (affiliated health/social faculty can also accept clinical students in our program).

We have faculty conducting research on emotion/cognition interactions, sleep, stress physiology, eating disorders, self-harm, developmental psychopathology, substance use/abuse, and self-regulation. You can check out our program here: http://www.ndsu.edu/psychology/graduate_programs/psychological_clinical_science/

NDSU has a heck of a program going up there if you can stand the cold! They have a very strong faculty, and are doing tremendous things. It is definitely one to put on your list even though they aren't accredited yet because they offer very strong clinical science training. I also have great confidence that they will be accredited in the near future.

Full disclosure: I have no affiliation with NDSU, but do think highly of them 🙂.

 

[int2014]

As I started reading this thread, I thought I might suggest looking at recently created PhD programs at solid universities (e.g., Mississippi State and/or North Dakota State). Apparently Irish beat me to it (it seems one of us has been more focused on Fantasy Football than SDN 🙂).

Anyway, NDSU has a new Clinical Science PhD program, which will be accepting our fourth cohort. We, too, are planning to apply for accreditation as soon as possible (our first cohort is applying for internship this year - a requirement for the program to apply for accreditation). I would encourage potential students to look at both our clinical and health/social faculty (affiliated health/social faculty can also accept clinical students in our program).

We have faculty conducting research on emotion/cognition interactions, sleep, stress physiology, eating disorders, self-harm, developmental psychopathology, substance use/abuse, and self-regulation. You can check out our program here: http://www.ndsu.edu/psychology/graduate_programs/psychological_clinical_science/

Hi ,

So when exactly will the Dept apply for accreditation ?

 

[int2014]

NDSU has a heck of a program going up there if you can stand the cold! They have a very strong faculty, and are doing tremendous things. It is definitely one to put on your list even though they aren't accredited yet because they offer very strong clinical science training. I also have great confidence that they will be accredited in the near future.

Full disclosure: I have no affiliation with NDSU, but do think highly of them 🙂.

But the program is not yet accredited ....!

 

[irish80122]

APA accreditation is very important, but it does not make a strong program. I am sure we all can think of programs that are accredited but would not be considered by many to be a strong program. The programs discussed above are both, in my opinion, strong university based programs where you can receive a solid education. That said, as I mentioned previously I am affiliated with MSU and thus am not unbiased on this.

Please remember that APA accreditation currently requires that you have students at every level of training, including internship. Both of the programs above are new, and are working toward that, but are not old enough yet to apply for accreditation. I can say with great confidence that both want to be accredited by APA and will apply as soon as they are eligible (likely the next year or two).

 

[QAsPsych]

Look for programs in geographically undesirable locations (i.e. rural areas, cities like Detroit, etc.)...

I feel it necessary to point out that the only clinical program with good match rates in Detroit receives ~200 applicants a year. You're probably better off with rural/suburban universities.

 

[bcliff]

I feel it necessary to point out that the only clinical program with good match rates in Detroit receives ~200 applicants a year. You're probably better off with rural/suburban universities.

But when you compare Wayne State's admissions stats to Fordham's...

^^ if you're dying to live in a metropolitan area, Detroit might not be that bad of a bet

 

[BizQuick]

Detroit has excellent culture and sports stuff going on. You just need to find the right place to live, which isn't as hard as you think it is.

 

[kestrelcry]

I interviewed at Wayne State years ago and really liked the people. Also, I thought downtown Detroit seemed kind of cool.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I interviewed at Wayne State years ago and really liked the people. Also, I thought downtown Detroit seemed kind of cool.

I liked the museum district (I think that is what they call it..it's been a few years). There was a really cool warehouse space that did all sorts of art classes. They also have cool art stuff going on and obviously they have Greek Town/Pro Sports. Microbrew pubs also popped up in the area (and suburbs)…so there is still life in/around D-town.