Psy. D schools

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I'm thinking Long Island U./C.W. Post Campus, Marywood, MSPP, Chestnut Hill, Immaculata, La Salle, Loyola, and possibly Argosy... anyone know of anything to say about these schools?
I'd love to hear where others are applying..
 
Come on... no one else is applying to Psy. D schools right now? I find that had to believe....
 
I'm considering Virginia Consortium. But that's the only one.
 
Nikole said:
What Psy. D schools are people applying to? Anyone have any comments on any Psy. D schools, pros, cons, perceptions?
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The major con (for students) of professional school based Psy.D programs is the cost. Unless you are independently wealthy you will graduate with medical school like debt, except that you will earn far less that an MD after you graduate.
 
I think as long as you can get a halfway decent score (meet the minimum 'floor' of your programs) in the GRE and Psych GRE....you should be ok (if everything else is solid) Keep in mind that Letters of Recommendation should carry more weight than the GREs....so make sure to secure solid LoR.
 
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Really? LOR's mean more than the GRE to some programs? Interesting..
 
I applied to 8 PhD programs and 4 PsyDs: Rutgers, Loyola, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, and Long Island University
 
Dr.JT said:
The major con (for students) of professional school based Psy.D programs is the cost. Unless you are independently wealthy you will graduate with medical school like debt, except that you will earn far less that an MD after you graduate.
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You can always snag an MD to fall in love with and marry to help you pay off those loans. 😛
 
ExpressYourself said:
You can always snag an MD to fall in love with and marry to help you pay off those loans. 😛
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LOL! I married a medical student; he's got the loans I'm gonna have to pay off! While I got none, and I'm a PsyD. The irony...
 
Baloo said:
LOL! I married a medical student; he's got the loans I'm gonna have to pay off! While I got none, and I'm a PsyD. The irony...
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I just started dating a medical student.....Let's see how that goes! 😳

What's funny though is he thinks that a Psy.D is the same thing as a Ph.D (like every other person I meet who isn't in the psychology field). Everytime I explain the difference, he goes"Yeah whatever." :laugh: 😕
 
ExpressYourself said:
I just started dating a medical student.....Let's see how that goes! 😳

What's funny though is he thinks that a Psy.D is the same thing as a Ph.D (like every other person I meet who isn't in the psychology field). Everytime I explain the difference, he goes"Yeah whatever." :laugh: 😕
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That's funny because a PsyD is very similar to medical school (granted it's specific to the study of psych.) and a PhD is opposite, they're like apprentices.:laugh:
 
I'm going to walk away from this thread backwards. Slowly....
 
Hey Nikole, so far my definite PsyD list is: Rutgers (ha), LIU, Yeshiva, PGSP-Stanford, LaSalle, & Loyola-Baltimore. (Shocking- many popular university-based/affiliated ones! ;-) ) Also, prob some very clinically-oriented PhDs and maybe Master's programs, too...
 
hey I go to Chestnut Hill's PsyD program, I really like it. Just thought I'd offer my opinion.


If you have any particular questions, feel free to message me.
 
MSPP seems to be well regarded eventho it is a professional school. i'll be attending yeshiva this fall and they have a pretty reputable psyd program as well. i thought the deadline was way past due for psyd programs...must be for next year.
 
There seems to be really no rankings for PsyD schools. I know that Rutgers is probably highest on the list. Other than that I don't know where all the other programs fall.
 
I've also heard nothing but praise about Baylor's program. I believe Loyola is also very respected, but I can't remember for sure.

Be warned they generally have acceptance standards like the PhD programs though, so they are MUCH harder to get into than the professional schools.
 
Indiana at Penn is good too.
 
Wishful said:
I'm thinking Long Island U./C.W. Post Campus, Marywood, MSPP, Chestnut Hill, Immaculata, La Salle, Loyola, and possibly Argosy... anyone know of anything to say about these schools?
I'd love to hear where others are applying..
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my sister goes to marywood and she loves it. its a gorgeous campus and the teachers seem to help you out. plus the dorms are nice which is always good🙂
 
I recently finished the PsyD program at MSPP. I'm on internship this year (APA, neuropsych track). Message me for specific questions about the program, but I will say that I have no regrets regarding choice of program and although I am now in debt, everyone I know who has graduated from the program has been able to manage debt load without too much concern.
 
I'm applying to Adler school of prof psych, nova, PCOM, Roosevelt, JFK university, and one more I can't think of at the moment....
 
My husband is a doctor in fellowship so I can't really leave the area which limits me to some of the most competitive programs (sigh). I'm applying to LIU, YESHIVA, RUTGERS, ADELPHI (PhD), COLUMBIA (Counseling PhD), NYU (Counseling PhD), & CUNY (PhD).
 
NYCTherapist said:
My husband is a doctor in fellowship so I can't really leave the area which limits me to some of the most competitive programs (sigh). I'm applying to LIU, YESHIVA, RUTGERS, ADELPHI (PhD), COLUMBIA (Counseling PhD), NYU (Counseling PhD), & CUNY (PhD).
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Have you considered Fordham counseling PhD? It seems like a pretty good program.
 
Didnt even think to have fordham on my list but I will investigate....thanks for the tip psychmama....but you know I want to be at rutgers like you!! Praying every night! (along with 500 other applicants!!)
 
NYCTherapist said:
Didnt even think to have fordham on my list but I will investigate....thanks for the tip psychmama....but you know I want to be at rutgers like you!! Praying every night! (along with 500 other applicants!!)
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Wishing you good luck!:luck:
 
Hello all!
I am a junior at my school right now and am trying to figure out if I want to get my MA in counseling or pursue a Psy.D. What do you suggest? I want to be some type of counselor. I will probably graduate with a 3.3-3.5 range. ANY and all suggestions would be very much appreciated!

p.s. I've heard that the Psy.D program takes 3-5 years.. is that true? Is it given as much acknowledgement as a Ph.D? I am not interested in research, so I am thinking Psy.D is the program for me. Thanks everyone!
 
Cell3207 said:
Hello all!
I am a junior at my school right now and am trying to figure out if I want to get my MA in counseling or pursue a Psy.D. What do you suggest? I want to be some type of counselor. I will probably graduate with a 3.3-3.5 range. ANY and all suggestions would be very much appreciated!

p.s. I've heard that the Psy.D program takes 3-5 years.. is that true? Is it given as much acknowledgement as a Ph.D? I am not interested in research, so I am thinking Psy.D is the program for me. Thanks everyone!
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If you aren't interested in research, assessment, theory, etc and you are unwilling to go to school for 4 years minimum (no program I've heard of lets you out after 3) then there's no point in getting a PsyD or a PhD. Go with the MA.
 
KillerDiller said:
If you aren't interested in research, assessment, theory, etc and you are unwilling to go to school for 4 years minimum (no program I've heard of lets you out after 3) then there's no point in getting a PsyD or a PhD. Go with the MA.
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Agreed.

OP, you are looking at a minimum of 4 years of schooling, 1 yr internship, 1 yr post-doc. Research is required, as it is a vital part of informing our practice. Any program that doesn't req. research really shouldn't be considered, as it is a core component in doctoral training for Boulder AND Vail models.
 
Therapist4Chnge said:
Agreed.

OP, you are looking at a minimum of 4 years of schooling, 1 yr internship, 1 yr post-doc. Research is required, as it is a vital part of informing our practice. Any program that doesn't req. research really shouldn't be considered, as it is a core component in doctoral training for Boulder AND Vail models.
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Agreed. If your goal is to get into counseling, perhaps consider MA or MFT credential. You can be done in about 2 yrs.
 
Thank you all for your responses. I wasn't saying I didn't want to do ANY research--I just have heard (tell me if I"m wrong) that a PhD. is research focused (emphasis on teaching or research-based job) and a Psy.D is focused more on clinical counseling. I am willing to go to school for five more years and put the work in, I was just curious if that was what others on here thought was best. Any other thoughts greatly appreciated.
 
Cell3207 said:
I just have heard (tell me if I"m wrong) that a PhD. is research focused (emphasis on teaching or research-based job) and a Psy.D is focused more on clinical counseling.
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Yeah, common myth. The TRUTH is that they are both clinical degrees, and the majority of people who receive Ph.D.s in clinical psychology go on to careers in practice (rather than research or teaching).
 
thewesternsky said:
Yeah, common myth. The TRUTH is that they are both clinical degrees, and the majority of people who receive Ph.D.s in clinical psychology go on to careers in practice (rather than research or teaching).
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...and there are Psy.D's that do more research/teaching/other than private practice work. I'll most likely do a minimal amount of private practice, even though I'm a Psy.D.

It is important to evaluate each program individually, as one degree does not guarantee anything but the letters after your name.
 
Therapist4Chnge said:
...and there are Psy.D's that do more research/teaching/other than private practice work. I'll most likely do a minimal amount of private practice, even though I'm a Psy.D.

It is important to evaluate each program individually, as one degree does not guarantee anything but the letters after your name.
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I could't agree more with T4C

In my opinion, you should be looking at both Psy.D. programs and practice oriented Ph.D. programs. Don't limit yourself to a specific degree. You want to find the right program for "you." The alphabet soup that follows your name does not necessarily imply "research focus" or "clinical focus." Much of that will depend on how you utilize your time and energy in graduate school.

With that in mind, you should investigate the theoretical orientations of the faculty and program, possible research mentors and labs, the course/training/practicum sequence, the milestones required for the degee, and the APPIC and APA match rates in the last 5-10 years. Ask yourself, will this progam prepare me for my future career as a _____________? Each program has its strengths and weakenesses.

I am not sure what your financial status is, but do not ignore funding and financial assistance either. Debt sucks! No other way to put it. Also, I am not sure where you live or what your relationship status is, but don't ignore progams far from home.

I look at it like this: You are making a 5-year investment of time, energy, money, and sacrifice. You want to have the best return on your investment as possible. This inclues happiness, career satisfaction and development, and personal fulfillment. Explore all of your options. Investigate, Investigate, Investigate, and apply wisely.

Thats my .02
 
Hello everyone,
I just joined this site after following for sometime now. I'm a bit stressed and seeking some guidance. I read everything above but would still like to hear anyone's input.

I'm located in the Caribbean and I'm getting a degree in Behavioral Sciences. My goal is to be a child psychologist and have my own practice some day. I need to be able to practice in the States though, because I know that's where I'm going to end up....so far anyways, that's how it looks.

I had applied to Argosy University to do a masters degree, but they told me earlier this year that they dropped that program and only have the PsyD instead. I switched to this because as some mentioned in other posts before, I figured it was more clinical work oriented rather than research oriented. But today I was just looking for some reviews on Argosy and I hardly found any good reports! It was so highly rated but lots of people said they had bad experiences there. Now I'm not sure what to do! I don't want to leave my home here, go all the way to a new country, new place, new school, to become more depressed!

Maybe there is no easy response to this, all I know is I've been advised by many to pursue Clinical Psychology. Masters, PsyD or PhD? What is needed to be licensed in the States? And is Argosy really that bad? Could anyone recommend a school?

Thanks so much in advance

I hope someone can ease my troubled mind....
 
I would not go to Argosy, its a big risk, an i always advise not feeding the profit driven beasts.
 
Waw

Thank you erg923. Is there any school you feel confident enough about, to suggest?
 
erg923 said:
I would not go to Argosy, its a big risk, an i always advise not feeding the profit driven beasts.
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Although I don't know if the education is any worse at Argosy than at other schools, I would agree with this poster. The job market in clinical psychology is pretty poor compared to other professions and, considering this, I can't imagine have the extra strike of Argosy against me. Although not scientific, I have noticed that my friends who are bachelor's & master's level graduates (physical, occupational, and speech therapists) are going to be making more than I will in the V.A. system (with a PhD).

ALthough this, alone, is discouraging, it is even more disheartening when you consider the increased amount of time I went to graduate school (7 years) compared to them. Even worse is the fact that psychologists fight to get into the V.A. system because to us it pays very high compared to other jobs we can obtain. At the same time, however, speech, physical and occupational therapists can make MUCH more money in the private sector than in the V.A. In fact, many PTs and speech therapists make over $100K. Psychology is definitely a quickly dying field
 
Do you think then that, instead of pursuing a PsyD, it might be better to look for a Masters, in Clinical Psych perhaps? I'm under the impression that you need to have a Doctorate to be a private practitioner in the States?
If that's my goal, I'm just trying to get there with the least time and money expense, especially being an international student. If it's not necessary to do a Masters and then a Doctorate then, I'll jump ahead...
I just need to find a place to jump to...
 
Generally if you want to just do private practice, get an MA/MS degree....as it is quicker, better bang for your buck, and that is where much of the therapy work is being steered. You won't make a ton of money (some do), and you most likely won't be able to teach (though some do).

I believe doctoral training is the best training and I feel much more confident in my training, but it takes a significant amount more time, resources, etc.
 
I think it all depends... While I agree that the Master's route is indeed very attractive and it most definitely should be considered by anyone reading this forum, it has its own drawbacks. While Master's level training gets you into clinical practice, that's pretty much it. Unless you're an amazing clinician or theoretician, you won't be able to teach, do much research, etc.

For many people, that's perfectly fine. If you have no interest in research, academia, teaching, etc, boom, apply to Master's programs.

If you have a passing interest in some of those things, consider a doctoral degree and the associated expenses. Doctorates are getting increasingly expensive and the payoff -- especially in psychology -- isn't always there. But you shouldn't discount it just because of the upfront expenses, as long as your career choices can support it. (Also, if your interest is in psychological testing, forensics, etc., you should also consider the doctoral degree.)

John
 
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