MSW, PsyD, or Clinically oriented PHD

[Septimus_Prime]

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I am a junior psych major, soon to be senior. I am thinking of just getting an MSW for various reasons: I am uncertain of how much I like research, uncertain of whether my commitment to going to school about 6+ years is really there, and it is maybe more difficult to get accepted straight out of college I hear. Also I am interested in clinically oriented programs which get little or no funding and I am apprehensive of coming out with immense debt. Does this seem like a viable option or does someone think that it is still worth it in the midst of this to apply to psyd/ and clinically oriented phd programs? Also would having an MSW decrease my chances of being accepted to phd programs if I wanted to do that later?

Another thing is I am having trouble finding information on clinically oriented PhD programs, does anyone know some good programs like this? All the websites I go to say equal emphasis on practice/research, and the few that were clinically oriented had essentially no funding. A link or personal impressions would be helpful here.

 

[perfektspace]

Two Ph.D's that are clinically oriented are Univ. of Toledo and West Virginia. There are others, check the insider's guide it seems to be pretty accurate in reference to this. Many of the school websites like to say they provide a good balance but that is often not the case.

 

[merideen]

Actually West Virginia has a strong research focus as well as a strong focus on clinical so they are still striking that balance. Although, most of the research is applied research. So if you're not sure if you are interested in research I would not suggest WVU.


An MSW can be a good approach since you'll get training in doing clinical services and if you decide you do like research you can go on to get a PhD in social work (which is more research oriented). You might also want to consider taking some time off before applying to grad school to figure out whether you're interested in research or applied research. Check out Devereux's Professional Psychology Traineeship Program, it gives you applied research experience as well as clinical experience. Its a really good way to really define where you stand on that research - clinical continuum. Here's a link to the program:
http://www.devereux.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ictr_ppt

Good Luck!

 

[perfektspace]

Actually West Virginia has a strong research focus as well as a strong focus on clinical so they are still striking that balance. Although, most of the research is applied research. So if you're not sure if you are interested in research I would not suggest WVU.
QUOTE]

Just going off a good friend who is in the child track there. Of course all Clinical PhD's involve a good amount of research. If you don't want to do any or very little research then a PhD is a bad idea in general.

 

[SaraL124]

If you're not sure what you want to go, why don't you take a year or few off after college to get a job in the field to see if you like it. Often, being an RA in a research lab will also help you with applications to clinical phd programs or psyd programs.

 

[cmuhooligan]

Saint Louis University's Clinical PhD program is very clinically orientated