PsyD Dropout?!

[Psychedout12345]

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Hi everyone,

I'm hoping to get some feedback on this. I am currently a second year student in an accredited PsyD program. As I have progressed through, I realized that I have no interest in research, teaching or assessment and really just want to do direct clinical work. I have experience in community mental health and think this is the area in which I would like to have a career. That said, do I stick it through 3 more years, write a dissertation, go through comps, internship etc. and accrue up to $130,000 in debt OR do I drop out at the end of this year when I have gotten my Master's in Clinical Psych?? I believe the pay differential between a PsyD and Masters level clinician is minimal in community mental health. Is it true that many PsyDs right out who are having difficulty getting jobs in this economy because organizations would rather pay at a Master's level salary?

Advice? Anyone else in the same boat? 😕

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

....drop out at the end of this year when I have gotten my Master's in Clinical Psych??

Check with your local licensing board to see if this qualifies as a licensable degree, as many times they aren't because they are en-route and not terminating.

I believe the pay differential between a PsyD and Masters level clinician is minimal in community mental health.

Community mental health doesn't pay great, but I doubt they are that close. Many times doctoral level people are the supervisors and the MA/MS are the ones doing therapy, so the day to day work can be quite different, and the pay is different.

Is it true that many PsyDs right out who are having difficulty getting jobs in this economy because organizations would rather pay at a Master's level salary?

Advice? Anyone else in the same boat? 😕

Some doctoral level people may have difficulty, but if you go to an accredited program, APA approved internship, and at least a decent post-doc, securing employment should not be too difficult. It is competitive, so expect to have to work hard.

As for not liking assessment, research, etc.....you may be better served working in a different area, though before making any changes you should definitely figure out if you can salvage anything from your MS degree.

 

[appelsoranjes]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping to get some feedback on this. I am currently a second year student in an accredited PsyD program. As I have progressed through, I realized that I have no interest in research, teaching or assessment and really just want to do direct clinical work. I have experience in community mental health and think this is the area in which I would like to have a career. That said, do I stick it through 3 more years, write a dissertation, go through comps, internship etc. and accrue up to $130,000 in debt OR do I drop out at the end of this year when I have gotten my Master's in Clinical Psych?? I believe the pay differential between a PsyD and Masters level clinician is minimal in community mental health. Is it true that many PsyDs right out who are having difficulty getting jobs in this economy because organizations would rather pay at a Master's level salary?

Advice? Anyone else in the same boat? 😕

I'm not sure what masters-level clinicians make, but after your PsyD you would be looking at jobs starting in the 60k range. I'm not sure how easy it will be to pay off the tuition loans on such a salary.... It's not a good return of investment money-wise, but it will increase you opportunities for practice.