Working part-time during Psy.D./Ph.D. programs?

[Mitch Warner]

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I have a big question I'm having trouble getting a good answer for: how realistic is it to imagine I can work part-time (say, as a temp or the like) while completing a full-time Psy.D. or Ph.D. program?

A bit of relevant background: I'm in my mid-30s, living in New York City, with a mortgage and all that fun stuff. I'm only looking at programs that offer the possibility of a "full boat" (full tuition remission plus stipend), but even if I can get into such a program, it looks like the very most I could hope to make a year in stipend would be about $20,000 (and of course, probably, much much less). Optimistically assuming I might be able to get full tuition and, say, $10,000 in stipend, I still need to try to find a way to make at least $25-30K more just to stay afloat (something I could do in maybe 20 hours of part-time work a week). Am I being crazy to think it's possible? I know, for example, that CUNY's Ph.D. program website specifically says all classes are Tuesday through Thursday, and that many of their students work outside of that.

If there is time for someone willing to bust their hump to work 20 hours a week, does that change as you advance through most programs? Is it different between (fully-funded) Psy.D. programs and Ph. D. programs? Anyone know about programs within an hour or two of NYC specifically? Help!! 😳

Relatedly--and sorry if this is a dumb question--is it possible to make up any of that "income gap" in scholarships or fellowships, on top of TAing or the like? Do those usually come with specific time/work requirements or are they essentially just aid?

This board has been nothing short of a godsend for a prospective student like me--I've been reading posts nearly compulsively!--and I just want to say thank you to everyone who contributes to this invaluable resource.

 

[Psyclops]

Probably differs by proram, but many have stipulations that you may not work outside of the dept. But, before you despair, NYC schools might be different taking into account the fact that thier students have much higher bills to contend with. Also, others on this board have mentioned moonlighting.

 

[codetype4/9]

In my situation it is feasible. I am not in NY but I live in a major metro and have a stipend that is on the meager side so I do quite a bit of moonlighting… probably 10-12 hrs a week. I work at a forensic psychiatric center as well as in a private practice doing testing. I make a little over 20 bucks an hour, and it has worked out mostly because I get paid for no shows, essentially meaning I get paid to study until the next client shows up. Most of the practicum placements available are paid as well so it helps. While working outside is frowned upon in my program, it is not prohibited. Most of my cohort are either doing testing on the side, teaching a class at local university, doing the ABA thing, and one bar tends...

It can be done, but it gets harder and harder to do as you progress.

 

[deleted106747]

Would you consider loans to make up the gap?
Also, CUNY = no funding. That's why their program is set up to allow outside jobs.

 

[PsiKo]

If you apply to the clinical psychology subprogram at City College, and especially if you get invited to interview, be prepared to sing the praises of the psychodynamic/psychoanalytic school. The program is a veritable psychoanalytic institute. They know they're a dinosaur, and they're proud of it!! (Go to their Web site and read their newsletters.)

If their orientation fits your own, it may be a great match. And you can't beat the tuition which decreases by half, I believe, after you've completed 60 credits (or thereabout).

 

[Logic Prevails]

It can be done, but it gets harder and harder to do as you progress.

I disagree. I entered my clinical program with the intention of working 6hrs a week as an RA. I was so overwhelmed just trying to adjust that I had no time to sleep, let alone work on the side. A few years in, I now find myself able to balance the workload more effectively and have become more efficient at what I do (i.e. testing/scoring). I can now hold down a job on the side without to much stress.

It takes some adjusting the first year, and no matter how hard you worked as an undergrad - graduate school will still surprise you in its intensity.

Good luck.

 

[jhymn]

It takes some adjusting the first year, and no matter how hard you worked as an undergrad - graduate school will still surprise you in its intensity.

Good luck.

I absolutely agree. I've just started my 3rd week as a 1st year Psy.D. student and I am experiencing new levels school related insanity.

🙂