No doubt your decision has been made, but I thought I’d respond for reader clarification. I attend Pepperdine working on a second MA (both from there). My professors know I have an ease with research writing, so they’ve recommended me as RA to outside colleagues and for dissertation teams to assist PsyD students. They most definitely do research beginning their first year. Courses are ALL DAY on Tuesday & Thursday now (I think it was 3-4 days before). The other days are clinical hours. Match rates are excellent (though some students vary in their placement goals). Everyone finishes in 4 yrs though some choose part-time internships because they are parents of young children or work a second job for other desired experience (not the land of only 22 yr olds). It’s not sink or swim, either. The students are very well-mentored by faculty who are veterans and experts in their professional capacities beyond education (I’ve had a few as MA course professors). These advisors are very well-connected professionally. I was recently given a referral from a NYC PhD for my teen. Turns out it’s a PsyD who went to Pepperdine, and I personally pay $250/hr. We tried a few PhDs from prestigious ranked/funded programs before this but my kid would always refuse to go back for second session. Now she can’t wait to go, and implementing the strategies. $200-$400 is the going rate in LA whether PsyD or PhD...most people don’t care. Most Pepperdine PsyDs (and MFTs) I know of balance a combo of private practice, community outreach, teaching, and some clinical specialty (psych evals, end of life counseling in hospice, court expert witness, etc). So yes, the tuition is high, but graduates seem to have less worry re paying off their debt over time.
Where did you end up??
