Want to work with patients, but want a Ph.D.

[neuropsyance]

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Goal: Become board certified in clinical neuropsychology and work with patients with traumatic brain injury or who are on the autism spectrum.

Question: Is it odd for a clinical psychologist with a Ph.D. to work with patients in a clinical setting (instead of teaching?)

I'm applying to Ph.D. programs because I would like to do research as well (preferably on the injuries/disorders listed above). It's not that I hate the idea of teaching at the university level, I just want to make sure I work with patients.

I realize there is a system for ranking stress on research or clinical practice (1-7 or w/e). I don't have the book so anyone want to give me some feedback on the programs I'm applying to?

University of Wisconsin - Madison
Washington University
University of Missouri - Columbia
Ohio State University
University of Illinois - Chicago
Wayne State University
St. Louis University
Marquette University
University of Cincinnati (top choice at this point)
University of South Florida
University of Connecticut
Drexel University
University of Houston
Washington State University

Thanks for reading my insanely long post.

 

[erg923]

no, most ph.ds practice. Only small percentage go into 100% academia.

All your programs are pretty research oriented (especially wisconsin, ohio state, and wash u) with the exception of St. Louis University. Houston, cinci, and s. flordia, are well known for npsych. I would not advise applying to wisconsin, wash u, or ohio state if you want to practice. They will probably frown on it.

 

[neuropsyance]

So I've heard, I guess it's just easy to fall into the mindset that most go into academia because the Ph.D.'s I'm surrounded by are 100% those kind of people.

 

[cara susanna]

My program doesn't care if people want to go into practice and we have a lot of people interested in neuropsych, though there's no official track. PM me if you want more info.

 

[Neuropsych2be]

Most Ph.D. level psychologists do applied work of various kinds. In fact, if you look at the way higher education is going, tenure track positions in academe will become increasingly scarce. Universities are under enormous economic pressure to replace retiring faculty with adjuncts who cost a tiny fraction of full time faculty. That process will continue. The costs in higher education have been escalating at a rate higher than inflation for decades. Higher education is becoming something that middle class people will be unable to afford under the current model. I expect that higher education will be a very different place in 20 years simply because it must radically change to survive. Economic issues will force universities to find ways to cut costs and deliver education in novel ways or they will be in very big trouble. In some ways higher education is a bubble that will burst just like real estate and the stock markets. The long term viability of tenure track jobs in psychology is very questionable. Don't limit your options by disregarding applied work.

 

[Ollie123]

You're also very unlikely to be accepted to South Florida if clinical work is a primary goal of yours. Its one thing to work in a clinical setting, but the school is definitely geared towards producing researchers.

 

[Cosmo75]

UIC is also very research oriented.

 

[applebottom]

i know drexel is balanced (i think a 4 on the scale). since you don't know the research/clinical emphasis of these schools, how did you choose them? based on faculty match? i would suggest researching their philosophies so that in your statement and at interviews you can emphasize the goodness of fit between your interests and their program.

 

[neuropsyance]

I think some of you are misunderstanding. I WANT to do research and practice. I'm just not so sure I want to teach much.

And yes I did choose the programs I'm applying to based on faculty match.

 

[erg923]

Then you would want to seek academic appointments in medical schools and psychiatry departmentrs, as assistant clinical professors or research associates in psychiatry departments often dont have teaching responsibilities

 

[applebottom]

I just remembered that in "PhD programs on Google Maps" sticky post (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=482538) all of the schools have their respective 1-7 numbers next to them. Hope that helps!

 

[neuropsyance]

I just remembered that in "PhD programs on Google Maps" sticky post (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=482538) all of the schools have their respective 1-7 numbers next to them. Hope that helps!

I would shake your hand if I could reach through this computer screen.

 

[terpskins10]

UIC is also very research oriented.

I will agree with this. I have a friend who currently attends this program and says it is very research oriented.

 

[helga]

University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa has a great autism research center
well balanced program and a child clinical specialization
not sure about an official neropsych specialization but lots of neuro courses

GSU is a great program. A bit too clinically focused for me.

PM if you have more questions

 

[notfullyfathomd]

University of Florida and University of Alabama-Birmingham also have strong programs, and are ranked as 4s. Alabama's program is called medical psychology, but is essentially a neuropsychology track.

 

[AlaskanJustin]

Hm hopefully not too outdated or late for yah, but I will say from experience Cincy is a great neuro program and every grad student there works in a clinical AND research setting. lets review your options: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, one of the top 3 (or 5 depending) Children's hospitals in America with emphasis on translational research/practice. You have the Mayfield Clinic, neurosurgery and trauma center, you have the Neuroscience institute, which I did MS research for but they have two of the best neuropsychologists ive ever met (email bruce Scheft for info, he is great) the possibilities are endless, I dont even care what or how they are rated, its a great program and city, especially if you are neuro-oriented period.

i agree with not trying the first two, any program that likes to call themselves clinical science tends not to care as much about the clinical part, get my drift? Not to discount these schools or anything, obviously both are great.

Have you thought of UMSL? Good program might have what you want, I say this because several of our schools are similar (although different research/clinical interests) Also, UNL and UA Tuscaloosa might be worth a look, not the best places in the world to live, but if thats important than you shouldnt apply 😀

And I cant believe I am recommending this, but I know Houston is a good school, ever look at Sam Houston State U? Just check it out, good school, podunk town but apparently not so bad to live in (especially since cost of living is so low).

Best of luck to you, I know the feeling of wanting to do both.

Oh PS, I work at the NIH, and the NIH is the place where you will probably ultimately want to end up so you can do both, just fyi.

J

 

[neuropsyance]

Thanks AlaskanJustin,

Interestingly, Dr. Shefft is exactly who I want to work with. My stats are right around the average for incoming students (some higher 😎). When I emailed Dr. Shefft asking whether or not he was looking to admit another student, he replied by sending me a bunch of papers to read (good sign? I hope so). And not that I'd be admitted for this, but I'm getting my undergraduate degree from the place he went for his PhD (hopefully that'll help me stand out).

And thanks for the information on the NIH, I'll for sure keep that in mind!