MS in human development to PsyD / Mid-level

[Fluidity of Movement]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello, I'm looking at programs for someone who graduated a long time ago and is now interested in clinical psychology, specifically child and adolescent practice.

We found a 3 year PsyD program at Radford that is only open to MS (counseling) graduates, but would still need to try to transfer credits to a second MS in counseling via that route (I think).

Are there other funded PsyD programs along this vein, or MS programs that may accept credits from their human development degree?

They aren't necessarily against applying PhD but are not interested in academia anymore at present. (They would be fairly competitive based on having a 4.0, pubs, and ECs though).

We are in Virginia so any awesome mid-level programs open or amenable are options as well.


Seeking general advice or recommendations. Thanks!

 

[summerbabe]

At least with PhD programs, if transfer credits are accepted, it would generally mean getting a waiver for that specific class (say social psychology) but your overall credit requirement towards graduation remains the same so instead of having to retake social psych, you can take an elective for 3 credits or use those 3 credits for independent study/research (most will take advantage of this option).

Some programs are more lenient with granting these types of waivers while others will rarely give them. Some may also make you produce syllabi or other documentation if applying for a waiver.

I'm not sure if this general standard also applies to PsyDs and how mid level programs that are license eligible will handle things but your friend should probably except to be in school for the same length as everybody else in their cohort, despite potentially having extra graduate level coursework under their belt.

 

[psych.meout]

My program accepts some credits and requires the syllabi, but these are only for breadth or research courses, not for any of the clinical ones like the assessment or intervention courses. Moreover, OP even if the person you're posting for could get credits for classes, they still need to get enough practicum hours to be competitive for internship. Three years is going to be really difficult in any program to get enough training to match at an accredited internship.

 

[Fluidity of Movement]

My program accepts some credits and requires the syllabi, but these are only for breadth or research courses, not for any of the clinical ones like the assessment or intervention courses. Moreover, OP even if the person you're posting for could get credits for classes, they still need to get enough practicum hours to be competitive for internship. Three years is going to be really difficult in any program to get enough training to match at an accredited internship.

that particular program requires a MS/MA in counseling which has hours

 

[summerbabe]

that particular program requires a MS/MA in counseling which has hours

That makes sense and I’m somebody who went a similar route 2 years MS directly into 3 years PhD and was able to match successfully.

However, that means your friend will not be eligible for this program since their human development degree does not have a clinical component.

They might have some success transferring coursework into a MS in counseling but I would imagine they would need to be in attendance for the entire regular length of that program.

It sucks for people who have different educational paths but the the doctoral degree has some pretty specific requirements so that even people with a license to practice as a clinical social worker or marriage and family therapist basically have to start over, with some shortening possible if one has a counseling degree at some programs (3 years of PhD versus 4).

 

[Fluidity of Movement]

They don't mind doing everything just trying to see what options there are! Especially since they probably won't be able to do financial aid anymore =[ but who knows.


Unsure if there are funded master's programs, and googlefu/search I feel I always miss something. I think they are more interested in doctoral anyway but given their very specific interest in child + adolescent it's hard to navigate everything especially when each state has so many different rules etc.

 

[summerbabe]

Unsure if there are funded master's programs, and googlefu/search I feel I always miss something. I think they are more interested in doctoral anyway but given their very specific interest in child + adolescent it's hard to navigate everything especially when each state has so many different rules etc.

My MS was technically unfunded but my public university had a bunch of graduate assistantship positions to help cover workload that full-time staff didn't have time for (financial aid office, academic departments, tutoring for scholarship athletes, etc) that were given out on a competitive basis with the only eligibilty being an enrolled graduate student. In exchange for 20 hours of work study a week, I received a tuition waiver and a small stipend.

Our program had a good track history of providing responsible student employees so everybody in my MS cohort was able to find something independently.

Your friend can look at the website for the graduate school or inquire specifically if similar opportunities exist.