Looking for opinions on certain PsyD programs

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aubmo

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I'm applying for PsyD programs in Clinical Psych, and I'd like to know everyone's impressions or opinions of the following programs:

-PGSP Stanford PsyD Consortium
-Regent University
-Wright Institute
-Florida Institute of Technology
-University of Hartford
-University of Denver
-Rutgers
-Wright State University
-Baylor University
-Indiana State University
-Indiana University of Pennsylvania
-Xavier University

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Quick drive by post before I head out for the night.....(Costume Party!!!)

PGSP Stanford PsyD Consortium.....promising, but $$$$ and unproven

Regent University.......RUN!

Wright Institute.....good training, older program (avg starting age is probably 31-32, at least 50% have MS and have been practicing), $$$ because of location, few research opportunities. This is all based on me looking at it when I was applying. I cut because although it had a GREAT feel and a very tight knit group, I didn't like the lack of research options and the internship placement was focused on staying in CA. It seemed to place well in CA, but I didn't want to practice in CA.

Florida Institute of Technology....okay from what I've heard. I know more about their I/O program.

University of Hartford....no idea. I looked at it, but I cut it for some reason.

University of Denver...I've heard good things, but I don't know much about it. CO is clogged with clinicians, so you will have a harder time finding a job if you stay. I think I cut it because of research reasons, though I would have loved to live there for school, Denver is awesome.

Rutgers....one of the top PsyD programs around. Very well respected, nice balance of research, fully funded. One of the oldest PsyDs, and definitely the hardest one to get in. (2%-3%?)

Wright State University.....I know someone who went here and she liked it, though I don't know much about the program.

Baylor University....great program, up there with Rutgers. fully funded, in Waco, TX...so I'm not sure about diversity options. It seemed like a pretty intense schedule, though I think they re-arranged their training so it wouldn't be as crazy. I haven't heard a bad thing about the school.

Indiana State University.....no idea.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania.....I heard good things, I considered it when I was looking, but I can't remember why I cut it. I forget it if was location or research options.

Xavier University.....no idea.

I looked at PsyDs and PhD's, so a balanced research/clinical focus was a requirement. You have a pretty good list here. Any idea your area of interest/research? Make sure to ask each place about placement rates, what they are known for, and where their grads end up working. You want a place that can place competitively and publish competitively, because you want to have a good network to work with when you get out. Even if you don't like research, you want a place that will give you a good foundation, because you need to be at least a consumer of research, and you need to know (well) how to work with research....it can only help inform your clinical work.

Best of luck.

-t
 
There are threads about nearly all of those schools that you can find using SDN's forum search (click "search this forum" under the page numbers on the psych PhD/PsyD message board site to look only at posts within the psych forums). 🙂
 
Members don't see this ad :)
There are threads about nearly all of those schools that you can find using SDN's forum search (click "search this forum" under the page numbers on the psych PhD/PsyD message board site to look only at posts within the psych forums). 🙂

Yeah....that too. 😀

If you find good threads, please add links to the threads in here, so when other people come along they can read the threads too.

-t
 
Here are a few threads that I found for some of the schools I mentioned above:

-PGSP Stanford
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=267121&highlight=PGSP

-Regent University (not specifically about PsyD; mostly negative)
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=417958&highlight=Regent

-University of Denver (seems like a great place to live; PsyD program is only 4 years; very expensive though)
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=381620&highlight=University+of+Hartford
 
As an individual who knows quite a few people that have graduated through the program and am looking at it myself, this year out of the 25 people in their class, 24 got matched with their top 3 APA accredited competitive 5th year internships and the last one had turned a site down due to their non-apa accreditation that later became so.

Pat Robertson sure has founded the University -- but in no way, shape, or form does his speakings have anything to do with the School of Psychology and Counseling. All the professors foster a "christian" emphasis in treating each person with respect and dignity and in no way do they push religion on anyone. The most religious aspect of their classes is a non-biased, and "christian" reflection on various Psychological topics based off of your own feelings and thoughts and limits you may uncover in your clinical practice.

The APA actually loves Regent for all of their research -- even though some of the research is controversial (and Im not saying I agree with all of it), but the APA applauds their efforts to go beyond what other Universities wouldn't even look at. Most of the people that backlash the program take into account their own personal biases and feelings about the certain topics.

The program is a great learning environment, and I honestly have never heard of the distance program. They have a great on-site program, and the campus is beautiful. Also, when I visited, I met students of all religious backgrounds who stated that they never have felt any pressure to become christian -- heck their were two that don't believe in anything!

Like I said, I've spoken with numerous students directly and they've said nothing but praise and excitment for their program -- being EXCITED about being there, which is more than I can say about a lot of programs I've visited -- most of the students I've met at other Universities complain and can't wait till it's over. I think the education is one of the most important parts.

So I understand some of your biases about Pat Robertson, and just because he started the University dosen't mean the program pushes anything he has to say .... it's APA accredited for a reason. The science def. comes first, then the inner-reflection later

Don't bash things before you know them, it's ignorance.
 
I interviewed at both University of Denver and Indiana State.

University of Denver was not for me- the 4 year program made me wonder what I was missing. Also it is exclusively clinical, which could be good or bad. I personally wanted mostly clinical, but I wanted to be able to collaborate on research and things like that. However, for people who know that they only want to do clinical work, it seems to be a great place; they get clinical training in the frist year! All of the current students had great things to say about it.

Indiana State however, I LOVED. If you can get over Terre Haute that is... it is in the middle of nowhere. The program however seems fantastic from what I saw. Small, at least partially funded and well balanced between clinical and research. It also has an intership placement rate that hovers somewhere around 94%, pretty impressive! That said, it's fairly competitive and only admits about 8 students each year. But if you've got the credentials, go for it.

Good luck on choosing! You're lucky to have found SDN early on.... I found it after I'd already started interviews and found myself wishing I had known what I know now!
 
Rutgers....one of the top PsyD programs around. Very well respected, nice balance of research, fully funded. One of the oldest PsyDs, and definitely the hardest one to get in. (2%-3%?)

Rutgers isn't fully funded! Although there are many opportunities for tuition remission, paid practica, and scholarships. But yes, definitely an exciting program. 🙂
 
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