What are the currently considered top PsyD programs?

[BruiserQueen]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am well aware of the hefty cost of PsyD degrees, but as a potential doctoral student- I just want to assess all options that are out there.
Basically, I was wondering- in the realm of PsyD programs- which are considered to be the top 5?

Please note, I do know that Rutgers and Baylor are considered to be the best of the best. However, realistically speaking, I would not be able to exist safely in Waco, Texas- which crosses Baylor (and possible tuition remission) right off the list.

What about the Stanford Consortium? At first glance, people see Stanford and assume many great things (I think of $300k+ debt and crying into pasta until I'm 120)- but a TON of admission information is missing from their website. Thoughts?

As for me, I have about 3 years research experience and 1 year clinical experience (so, I am not opposed to research-- hence why I will be applying to Clinical PhD programs as well)- good GRE scores (not astronomically high, but shouldn't raise any eyebrows), and a 3.98 GPA, with 1 publication in the works. Another important component is that I am a non-gender-binary queer individual who obviously needs to consider my own safety in possibly conservative institutions.

Any guidance would be very much appreciated.

 

[WisNeuro]

Whatever is recommended, be sure to check the APA-accredited internship match rates as well as EPPP match rates. Those are probably your best indirect indicators of program quality.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Your credentials seem solid overall, so you'll likely have a shot at numerous funded programs (PhD and PsyD). Thus, this may all just be superfluous concern.

Still, re: the Stanford Consortium (which, someone correct me if I'm wrong, was previously known as PGSP), the general sentiment here and based on my own experiences reviewing applicants from the program has been that the potential for solid training is there. However, as to what propotion of students have access to realistically achieving such potential and what must be done to get there, I've got no idea.

The one other Psy.D. program that immediately springs to mind for me is Indianapolis. I've known a few folks who've gone there, and they've all been solid clinicians. Others, I'm not sure about.

 

[PsychPsyance]

You might check out Roosevelt in Chicago.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

There are ZERO programs worth $150k+ in debt….let alone $300k+!!

Trying to avoid any debt is obviously the best option, but the realities of cost of living (COL) in some parts of the country make zero debt much harder. Knowing what I know now about the field, realistic debt/salary, etc…I'd argue anything over $40k-$5ok in debt really isn't a smart financial decision.

 

[WisNeuro]

Roosevelt is 22k a year in tuition alone a year! Is there any funding available for that one? Add on COL in Chicago and other costs and that's a pretty hefty debt package.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Programs I'd recommend (assuming debt can be kept <$40k…which may or may not be feasible w. all of the cutbacks, etc)
Rutgers
Baylor
U of Indianapolis
Xavier
Marshall
IUofP
Indiana State

LaSalle, Weidner, and similar university-affiliated programs in the Northeast have pretty good training, but I think cost is a lot more than $50k. The non-east coast programs benefit from a lower COL and probably lower tuition rates (last I checked, which admittedly was a few years back).

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Programs I'd recommend (assuming debt can be kept <$40k…which may or may not be feasible w. all of the cutbacks, etc)
Rutgers
Baylor
U of Indianapolis
Xavier
Marshall
IUofP
Indiana State

LaSalle, Weidner, and similar university-affiliated programs in the Northeast have pretty good training, but I think cost is a lot more than $50k. The non-east coast programs benefit from a lower COL and probably lower tuition rates (last I checked, which admittedly was a few years back).

In addition to what I'd said earlier about Indianapolis, I'd second the Indiana State rec based on anecdotal evidence (i.e., interactions with competent clinicians trained there).

 

[BruiserQueen]

Hello everyone:

Thank you so much for your feedback and input. I greatly appreciate it!

 

[CogNeuroGuy]

On a personal note (for what that may be worth), Widener University is a reputable program; I was going to apply there, but both my husband and I applied to Nova Southeastern University for personal reasons that are confined to our personal situations respectively. Nova has an APA match rate of about 44-45% as of last year. You will find many people that say this is unacceptable, and I think this is something to consider as well as the cost (e.g. $47K a year, but it does tapper off after year 2 going into years 3, 4 and 5). I would also suggest looking into what each Psy.D. program offers in practicum and internship exposure (e.g. breadth and variety of practice environments). Nova is known for supplying mental health services to a large majority of the greater Ft. Lauderdale and Miami area. Much like Widener, Nova also has an in-house APA accredited internship site that is competitive but not exactly impossible to attain.

You have a great background from what you posted, and seem to be a worthy contender as a Ph.D. student. It really does depend on your goals, family situation, etc.

 

[mc625510]

I applied to Uindy for this fall and I do know that they are currently building a new building that combines the psych department, nursing, OT, PT and social work..It's going to have a cafe and some nice grad student offices and study lounges. I went there for one of their open houses and they took us to the construction site to show us. Where I go to school right now, the psych department is old and cramped so it was a good bonus to the program itself

Hope that helps a little!