School Psychology programs (EdS/PhD)

[Marycontrary]

My understanding from talking to several APA and non APA programs, plus undergraduate psychology faculty:

 

APA Accredited Doctoral Program = APA Accredited Internship = More and Better Job Opportunities 

 

The APA accreditation tells future employers (esp. universities and clinical settings) that the internship and coursework were of the highest level. 

 

You'll already be competing for jobs, so why make yourself less competitive by completing a non APA accredited program?

 

Concerning independent licensure (different than working in schools), from the APA website:

"If you wish to pursue [independent] licensure, it is important to know that some states require that students have a degree from an APA-accredited program."  

Also, "some agencies of the federal government only hire graduates of APA-accredited programs."  

http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/about/program-choice.aspx?item=4

 

You want to work in academia? From what I can gather, (looking at school psych faculty at top APA accredited programs) NOT attending an APA accredited doctoral program is a HUGE RED FLAG. 

 

The school that accepted you that has a 100% paid placement rate... impressive. But placed where? In schools, that's not shocking.

[schpsy92]

I have a request! We have talked about it before, but can we please discuss (in a non-biased way please) the importance or unimportance of attending an accredited PhD program? We could do it for EdS too, I suppose, but that seems more cut-and-dry.

 

I would love to discuss the effect a non-accredited program has on the following career options (after a doctorate in SP has been attained):

• Working in K-12 schools or districts
• Working in hospitals/public health settings
• Becoming a professor (academia)
• Private practice
• Other (aka whatever I missed!)

"Accredited = good, non-accredited = bad" is what I have in my head, but why? I realized I don't know the actual barriers that come with graduating from a non-accredited PhD (or PsyD) program? One of the schools I was accepted to is not accredited for PhD but has a 100% paid employment rate. So where's the catch?

 

We can also discuss NASP vs. APA if people want to.

 

I think that graduating from a non-APA accredited program would hurt one's chances at going into academia / hospital type work, but I don't think it would matter for the K-12 school system and private practice. If you have an interest in either of the first two settings, you should probably go to an APA-accredited program just to be on the safe side.

[iPsych]

I had my last interview yesterday (woohoo, finally)! At the interview, I had an individual interview with someone who attended the program 7 years ago (she isn't a part of the faculty, but apparently has been doing interviews for the last few years since I guess they don't have enough faculty to individually interview everyone). I wanted to send her a thank you email but can't locate her email since she isn't a part of the faculty. Should I just email the director of the program, even though I didn't get a chance to meet with him individually? Or should I ask him/someone for her email? This is my first choice program right now, so I want to leave the best impression!

 

I think asking the director for her email is a good idea!

[HicklePickle]

Received two acceptances today! Now the choice is between money and program...sigh. I love one program so much but the other school would basically be free.

What to do?!

[iphi]

Congrats! I personally would choose the money... if I can get a free ride why would I choose to be in debt? I know it's a tough decision, though.

[iPsych]

Is the program you love offering any aid at all? Would the debt be worth being at that program or do you also like the one that's giving you a free ride enough that once you start school you wouldn't even miss the first program?

[HicklePickle]

Is the program you love offering any aid at all? Would the debt be worth being at that program or do you also like the one that's giving you a free ride enough that once you start school you wouldn't even miss the first program?

There's no aid through the department, but at the interview day all of the students mentioned a state stipend program that was really good. There's so many factors including whether I would qualify for in state tuition after a while, or whether I would get any need based financial aid.

Does anyone know how hard it is to qualify for in state? I'm assuming I would register to vote and get a drivers license, etc...

I don't really like the other one much. It's okay, and it would get me to the career...but it is so far below the more expensive one.

I think my plan is to call the financial aid office when they open and ask what I should expect and whether I can work on campus. If that goes well, I think I'm going to take the better program. More practicum hours, more opportunities in the community, a better place for my family.

Agh decisions are tough!

[iphi]

There's no aid through the department, but at the interview day all of the students mentioned a state stipend program that was really good. There's so many factors including whether I would qualify for in state tuition after a while, or whether I would get any need based financial aid.

Does anyone know how hard it is to qualify for in state? I'm assuming I would register to vote and get a drivers license, etc...

I don't really like the other one much. It's okay, and it would get me to the career...but it is so far below the more expensive one.

I think my plan is to call the financial aid office when they open and ask what I should expect and whether I can work on campus. If that goes well, I think I'm going to take the better program. More practicum hours, more opportunities in the community, a better place for my family.

Agh decisions are tough!

 

Yes, qualifying as "in-state" takes a full year, and you do have to switch driver's license,voter ID, pay state taxes, etc. Most schools have an office devoted to helping you do that. In addition, as a student you usually have to be able to show proof that you stayed in the state during breaks. I think you are allowed to have 2-3 weeks outside the state for the year and that's it. I know California is especially strict about this, not sure about other "less desirable" (for tuition purposes) states.

[iPsych]

There's no aid through the department, but at the interview day all of the students mentioned a state stipend program that was really good. There's so many factors including whether I would qualify for in state tuition after a while, or whether I would get any need based financial aid.

Does anyone know how hard it is to qualify for in state? I'm assuming I would register to vote and get a drivers license, etc...

I don't really like the other one much. It's okay, and it would get me to the career...but it is so far below the more expensive one.

I think my plan is to call the financial aid office when they open and ask what I should expect and whether I can work on campus. If that goes well, I think I'm going to take the better program. More practicum hours, more opportunities in the community, a better place for my family.

Agh decisions are tough!

 

Money isn't everything! Especially when one program is obviously a better choice than the other

 

I too may have to deal with the changing my drivers license to pay in-state tuition struggle *sigh* decisions are tough but at least we have options!

[jkakziak]

There's no aid through the department, but at the interview day all of the students mentioned a state stipend program that was really good. There's so many factors including whether I would qualify for in state tuition after a while, or whether I would get any need based financial aid.

Does anyone know how hard it is to qualify for in state? I'm assuming I would register to vote and get a drivers license, etc...

I don't really like the other one much. It's okay, and it would get me to the career...but it is so far below the more expensive one.

I think my plan is to call the financial aid office when they open and ask what I should expect and whether I can work on campus. If that goes well, I think I'm going to take the better program. More practicum hours, more opportunities in the community, a better place for my family.

Agh decisions are tough!

 

 

So to qualify for in-state tuition where I moved to, you need to provide a huge list of items that prove you have been in the state for a year. For me, this included voter and car registration, insurance info, and also written letters from my employers stating that I was working there and that I wasn't commuting from a different state or anything. Here's the tricky part though. I needed to prove that I did not move to the state that I am currently living in and taking classes at solely to go to school. I needed to have lived in the state for a year, work, and prove that my move was established prior to considering going to the university. Since I moved here over a year ago because my husband got a job, and I am only taking a few non-degree seeking courses, I didn't have any trouble. But, from what I have heard, it is nearly impossible to be granted in state tuition if you moved to the state specifically to go to school. And I guess that makes sense, otherwise no one would be charged out of state rates after their first year and you know schools aren't going to allow all of that nice out of state money to just disappear!

 

This is just my own personal experience, but from what I have seen and read, don't count on qualifying for in-state tuition if you're moving to a new state to go to school. 

[iphi]

So to qualify for in-state tuition where I moved to, you need to provide a huge list of items that prove you have been in the state for a year. For me, this included voter and car registration, insurance info, and also written letters from my employers stating that I was working there and that I wasn't commuting from a different state or anything. Here's the tricky part though. I needed to prove that I did not move to the state that I am currently living in and taking classes at solely to go to school. I needed to have lived in the state for a year, work, and prove that my move was established prior to considering going to the university. Since I moved here over a year ago because my husband got a job, and I am only taking a few non-degree seeking courses, I didn't have any trouble. But, from what I have heard, it is nearly impossible to be granted in state tuition if you moved to the state specifically to go to school. And I guess that makes sense, otherwise no one would be charged out of state rates after their first year and you know schools aren't going to allow all of that nice out of state money to just disappear!

 

This is just my own personal experience, but from what I have seen and read, don't count on qualifying for in-state tuition if you're moving to a new state to go to school. 

 

This isn't for graduate school, though? Most graduate school offices work with their students to establish in-state tuition. I have never heard of any state school that didn't do that. You have to follow some guidelines, of course, but it should work if you are employed by the university (assistantship). In fact, some schools tell you if you DON'T establish residency after 1 year you'll be on the hook for the out of state tuition instead of them!

[jkakziak]

This isn't for graduate school, though? Most graduate school offices work with their students to establish in-state tuition. I have never heard of any state school that didn't do that. You have to follow some guidelines, of course, but it should work if you are employed by the university (assistantship). In fact, some schools tell you if you DON'T establish residency after 1 year you'll be on the hook for the out of state tuition instead of them!

 

Like I said, this was my own personal experience with the state that I am currently living. I would highly recommend looking at it at a state-by-state basis and do not assume in-state tuition is a guarantee. 

[baunlee]

Yeah although I feel like masters is the perfect path for me right now, I admit it is unfortunate that more schools don't offer funding for this track. I know Albany msu and columbia specify there is no funding opportunities for Edm/eds. So it's tough to choose, I like programs at those schools but it's hard to decide when there are cheaper options. What do you guys think?

[schoolpsycher]

I'm actually in a similar boat (for EdS programs). I'm still waiting to hear back from half of my schools, but with my 2 choices right now.. one of them is where I currently live and was my favorite program after interviewing, but they offer NO funding/assistantships and it's in an expensive city already. The other one is a really great program and everyone gets an awesome assistantship, but I'm hesitant about its location and moving my life. MEHHH I wish money wasn't a factor, but it unfortunately is probably one of the biggest for me.

[iPsych]

even though I'm applying to PsyD and PhD programs funding is also an issue for me.  Some programs are generous with money while others only offer assistance for part of tuition and students typically take on an outside job in order to pay for school.I'm still waiting to hear back from various schools about official acceptances/financial aid offers but I think that it's going to come down to a combination of money and the overall "feel" I got when I interviewed at the school.  

 

Right now there are three schools that I could really see myself at (but I'm not sure about the $$ situation yet).  I think what's going to help me decide is if I ask myself "If I attend University A am I going to constantly wonder what my life would be like at University B or C?" I think that the school that I decide on should be a place that I feel so sure about (i.e. it aligns best with my financial, personal and professional needs) that I don't worry about the other options once I commit

[schoolpsycher]

I don't know if anyone applied/interviewed at Tufts, but does anyone know the chances of getting off the waitlist there?! It was my favorite after interviewing so I'm pretty bummed :/

[iphi]

I don't know if anyone applied/interviewed at Tufts, but does anyone know the chances of getting off the waitlist there?! It was my favorite after interviewing so I'm pretty bummed :/

 

I have no info, but I feel your pain - I was waitlisted at my favorite school too!

[virginiarunninggirl]

I am new to this thread. I was/am trying to get into Speech Pathology programs. Long story short, my first choice was to apply for School Psychology programs. My husband is in the Navy, and there are no schools near us, so I had to change direction. I'm glad I found this thread and hope to get some good information.

First question: How competitive is it to get in? People are being rejected from SLP programs with 3.8 Gpa's. I was wait-listed.

Second question: I have seen a couple of NASP approved distance learning programs. Has anyone applied to those, or know their reputation?

Third question: What are the schools looking for?

 

I have over six years experience teaching high school. Work experience with kids on the spectrum. Numerous years of tutoring experience. Teaching abroad experience. A good Aw score on the GRE. (5) and a gpa above a 3.5 for last sixty hours.

I've shadowed a School Psychologist. and have a lot of volunteer hours.

 

I appreciate any insight provided. Thanks and good luck to everyone waiting to hear from schools.

 

I do not have an research experience in School Psychology.

[Marycontrary]

Quick and dirty:

Visit NASP website and get familiar with buzz words and current trends; write a strong personal statement, hopefully highlighting an interest in underrepresented populations; have references speaking to your experience with children/youth, leadership qualities, and ability to do research; find programs that "match" your interests; figure out if you want the EdS or PhD and be able to articulate why; start explaining to friends and family the difference between a school psych and a school counselor...

I applied to three school psych programs and got into three, so I'm thinking it's less competitive than SLP. My GRE scores are quite average, which I feel is detrimental for acceptance into SLP programs.

My bible was the Graduate Studies in Psychology by the American Psychological Association. You can look up every program's outcome data, deadlines, number of applicants applying/accepted, program costs, program philosophy, etc. So helpful!

[iphi]

Mary: have you decided yet where you will be attending?

[iPsych]

Question!

 

I was admitted to a program three weeks ago, to the date.  I got a phone call from my POI followed up by an email.  She said that they needed a few weeks to figure out the financial aid situation but since we've got one month until decision making time I'm getting really anxious waiting for this information.

 

Would it be appropriate to email my POI inquiring about whether or not they have figured out funding packages for the 14-15 year?

[iphi]

Question!

 

I was admitted to a program three weeks ago, to the date.  I got a phone call from my POI followed up by an email.  She said that they needed a few weeks to figure out the financial aid situation but since we've got one month until decision making time I'm getting really anxious waiting for this information.

 

Would it be appropriate to email my POI inquiring about whether or not they have figured out funding packages for the 14-15 year?

 

I think 3 weeks ago is more than enough time to follow-up from. And tomorrow marks the one-month deadline so the clock is ticking! My vote is for totally appropriate.

[virginiarunninggirl]

Thanks Mary for getting back to me. The thing that could hold me back are grades from over a decade ago. I will have a very solid post-bac GPA which I hope they will look more favorably upon. I appreciate the insight.

[schpsy92]

I can't believe that the final decision day is only a month away! I'm torn between two schools, but I'm still waiting on official funding packages from both of them. That will likely sway me to choose one school over the other.

 

Question: Do we get official financial aid packages from the university financial aid office before April 15th or do we just get funding information from the school psych department / program itself? 

[schoolpsycher]

If you're wait-listed somewhere, is it appropriate to ask your position on the wait list? Or how many people if any have gotten off the wait list in the past? I have no idea how this works, but I'm now wait-listed at 2 places and in their email they said they would know by the end of the day on April 15th or the 16th (what?!), so I want to know if I have any chance of getting in. I don't know if I should decide now between my 2 current acceptances and let one of those schools know, or wait until that last day and hold out. One of the wait-list schools is my top choice.