Phd in Clinical Psy. or Human Development and Family Studies?

[Feathermft]

I am confused about which Phd program I would like to pursue. Currently, I am a second year graduate student in an MFT program (M.S.). Ultimately, I would like to do everything: teach, research, write books, lecture, and private practice.

#1. In one way I think the Phd program in human development and family studies at UCONN would be perfect because it is my interest area (couple relationships; MFT supervision ext.) and I think it will allow me to accomplish everything I would like. I can also work as a therapist while I am earning my doctorate, which is a huge plus because I cannot do that with clinical psy. programs otherwise I would be broke still for the next 4-5 years.

#2. On the other hand, I wonder if it would be best to pursue my Phd in clinical psychology (I am limited to programs in the area-counseling psych is not an option) because I know I can accomplish all of these things with that degree.

Concerns: 1) Will I need to charge less in private practice if I am not a licensed psychologist (I believe so, because I will only be a lmft with a phd with the first choice)
2) Will I be able to find employment as a professor or researcher with the first option? (probably part-time or adjunct) 3) Would I be a competitive candidate for a clinical psy. program (looking at either Clark University-which has a faculty member specializing in couples relationships or UCONN)?

Any suggestions?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Poetic Silence]

Go for the PhD. You won't become a licensed psychologist, but unless administering batteries is important to you, you can do it all as an LMFT with a PhD.

I believe the PsyD does not contain much research, thus you'd be ill equipped to participate in research with that designation unless you already have significant experience.

How important is research to you? More or less important that clinical opportunities? Answer that and you'll know which road to take.

 

[wigflip]

On the doc forum here, the conventional wisdom is usually going to be to go for the PhD over the PsyD. This has been discussed at length, with some dissenting viewpoints. You might benefit from reading previous threads on related topics.

Re: getting the doctorate with a goal of adjuncting: That's a long road for part time work. You can teach part time with a masters.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

 

[Feathermft]

On the doc forum here, the conventional wisdom is usually going to be to go for the PhD over the PsyD. This has been discussed at length, with some dissenting viewpoints. You might benefit from reading previous threads on related topics.

Re: getting the doctorate with a goal of adjuncting: That's a long road for part time work. You can teach part time with a masters.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

Thanks for the responses so far! I want to make it clear though that I am not interested in a Psyd program-both programs mentioned above are Phd programs

 

[Poetic Silence]

Then I'd definitely do the psych PhD. Way more opportunities and better pay (as a plus, not a necessity).

 

[wigflip]

Thanks for the responses so far! I want to make it clear though that I am not interested in a Psyd program-both programs mentioned above are Phd programs

Oops. Maybe I misunderstood this?:

Would I be a competitive candidate for a clinical psy. program

 

[Marissa4usa]

It really depends on what you want to do career wise. You're saying you want to do research, clinical work and teach. To what extent to do you want to all of these things?

If you want to primarily do research and a little bit of clinical work on the side, then I'd say for the HDFS degree. With a PhD in HDFS you get to teach and do research. On the side you can then do a little bit of clinical work. Since you're only going to be licensed at the master's level you likely wouldn't be able to charge as much as therapists with a doctorate, however, given the current economic situation, there is barely any difference between those two anyways, so if clinical work is not your main objective, I wouldn't worry about. However, as somebody already pointed, you wouldn't be able to do any testing (which is where a lot of the money in in terms of clinical work).

However, if you're really looking to have your main income come from clinical work (including testing) with some research and teaching on the side (maybe at a Liberal Arts College or Community College), then I would suggest going for Clinical Psych degree.

However, the other, probably biggest, problem with your plan is limiting yourself to two schools...

 

[Feathermft]

Oh I see. I just got lazy writing out clinical psychology

 

[Feathermft]

Yes, I will probably be doing more clinical work than teaching and research but I am not really sure what is meant by testing...Also I will be applying to more programs as a back-up plan but I need to stay within a semi-close distance to home (for personal reasons) so I am really limited.

 

[MBellows]

Oops. Maybe I misunderstood this?:

I assume they were using psy as "psychology" it is a typical course abbreviation.

Which they have since said. Go me for taking 20 minutes to post.

 

[Psychadelic2012]

I am confused about which Phd program I would like to pursue. Currently, I am a second year graduate student in an MFT program (M.S.).

(looking at either Clark University-which has a faculty member specializing in couples relationships or UCONN)?

Also I will be applying to more programs as a back-up plan but I need to stay within a semi-close distance to home (for personal reasons) so I am really limited.

You have several things going against you when it comes to applying to clinical psychology PhD programs: 1) You are really only interested in applying to a few programs, 2) You are geographically limiting yourself, 3) You will have an applied masters degree upon anticipated entry into the doc program.

These are really, really big deals. I honestly think you need to reconsider the clinical psych PhD path--those programs are SO competitive that applying to only a few is a shot in the foot, and they do NOT like people with masters degrees (especially applied degrees, with clinical experience). If you don't know what testing is, you obviously don't have your heart set on it, so if I were you'd I'd go for the HDFS doctorate. Just my opinion.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

You have several things going against you when it comes to applying to clinical psychology PhD programs: 1) You are really only interested in applying to a few programs, 2) You are geographically limiting yourself, 3) You will have an applied masters degree upon anticipated entry into the doc program.

These are really, really big deals. I honestly think you need to reconsider the clinical psych PhD path--those programs are SO competitive that applying to only a few is a shot in the foot, and they do NOT like people with masters degrees (especially applied degrees, with clinical experience). If you don't know what testing is, you obviously don't have your heart set on it, so if I were you'd I'd go for the HDFS doctorate. Just my opinion.

This is going to vary from program to program, but by and large, I don't know that I'd necessarily say most clinical programs don't actually like applied masters degrees. It's all a matter of why you got that degree, what you've done with it, and why you now want to go into clinical psych. And of course, most importantly, they're just going to be worried about your research experience and "fit." The reason applied masters don't necessarily help as much as experimental masters degrees is 1) the limited exposure to research opportunities, and 2) raising questions about desire to conduct research if applying to balanced or research-heavy clinical psych programs. Then again, there very well might be some programs that will vote against an applied masters just for the sake of it being an applied masters.

I completely agree re: being geographically-limited and being only interested in a few programs, though. And if you mix that with having an applied masters, then you are going to significantly reduce your odds, yep.

 

[MBellows]

This is going to vary from program to program, but by and large, I don't know that I'd necessarily say most clinical programs don't actually like applied masters degrees. It's all a matter of why you got that degree, what you've done with it, and why you now want to go into clinical psych. And of course, most importantly, they're just going to be worried about your research experience and "fit." The reason applied masters don't necessarily help as much as experimental masters degrees is 1) the limited exposure to research opportunities, and 2) raising questions about desire to conduct research if applying to balanced or research-heavy clinical psych programs. Then again, there very well might be some programs that will vote against an applied masters just for the sake of it being an applied masters.

I completely agree re: being geographically-limited and being only interested in a few programs, though. And if you mix that with having an applied masters, then you are going to significantly reduce your odds, yep.

From the people who I've talked to, it's not uncommon for students in Rehab. Psychology specialties to go in with a Master's in Rehab Counseling (CORE accredited). I assume for counseling psych it wouldn't be uncommon for folks to have a counseling masters.

Also, doesn't Pepperdine exclusively work with people with masters degrees?

 

[Feathermft]

Yes, I think you guys are right. Originally I decided two years ago that I wanted to apply to clinical programs but then I knew I would not get accepted because my GPA was only 3.1 and I had zero research experience. After doing my research (lol), I discovered the best thing I could do is find a research assistant position, but that is way easier said than done. Now I have a 4.0 GPA and I am working on my thesis but I still don't think that will be enough. I am a published author but not in this field so that doesn't really help. I realize my chances are pretty slim and I guess I could still achieve my goals if I am a licensed therapist but not a licensed psychologist.

 

[Psychadelic2012]

From the people who I've talked to, it's not uncommon for students in Rehab. Psychology specialties to go in with a Master's in Rehab Counseling (CORE accredited). I assume for counseling psych it wouldn't be uncommon for folks to have a counseling masters.

Also, doesn't Pepperdine exclusively work with people with masters degrees?

To clarify, these are not the kind of programs the OP is talking about. OP is asking about clinical psychology PhD programs, with an MFT masters (not clinical or experimental psych). Totally different ball game. Details matter here.

 

[MBellows]

To clarify, these are not the kind of programs the OP is talking about. OP is asking about clinical psychology PhD programs, with an MFT masters (not clinical or experimental psych). Totally different ball game. Details matter here.

Heh. Since when do pesky little things like details matter when it comes to multi-year commitment decisions? (God I hope you can read the attempted humor there.) While it's not particularly germane, some of the rehab psychology specialties are in Clinical Psychology programs.

As for MFT to PhD I would assume there are a number of PhD programs in California that don't mind taking MFT's as that is their master's level licensure there. There's a counseling psychology program at Texas Women's University that has some MFT type bend to it... But they also have what I understand to be an awesome PhD program in Family Therapy.

 

[Psychadelic2012]

Heh. Since when do pesky little things like details matter when it comes to multi-year commitment decisions? (God I hope you can read the attempted humor there.) While it's not particularly germane, some of the rehab psychology specialties are in Clinical Psychology programs.

As for MFT to PhD I would assume there are a number of PhD programs in California that don't mind taking MFT's as that is their master's level licensure there. There's a counseling psychology program at Texas Women's University that has some MFT type bend to it... But they also have what I understand to be an awesome PhD program in Family Therapy.

I don't disagree that any of these (Rehab psych, CA programs, or counseling psych) would be open to an applicant with an MFT masters, although the CA cl. psych PhD programs at state universities are probably not going to want applicants with applied degrees anyway (it's a different subfield...but there are other cl. psych PhD programs in CA that might not be so stingy). The OP has been very specific, though (Connecticut, cl. psych, PhD, family/development emphasis), so I just don't see it as a good fit. Of course, I'm no expert, but in general your point is well taken--expanding the range of programs, both in specialty and geography, would help tremendously. It strikes me that sometimes a clinical psych PhD is seen as the epitome catchall doctorate when it's really a specific focus, and other subspecialities are not considered.