Survival in an unfinded clinical psych program

[DOCTORSOMEDAY]

Hello all!

I was recently admitted to two doctoral programs in clinical psychology, both of which are unfunded. Between loans and scholarhsips I've got the tuition covered, but I'm wondering, how does anyone survive while in the program?? How do they pay for day to day expenses while remaining fully commited? I'm nearly finished with my masters degree in counseling psychology for licensure as an MFT (similar to LPCC in California), so I was hoping to continue working with clients while completing my doctorate. Is this totally unrealistic? Any input is helpful.

[hj2012]

Aren't most reputable doctoral programs in psychology usually funded? I'm surprised to hear that yours aren't.

 

I suppose you'd just have to take out more loans, although I personally would be worried about doing so. Are there no programs you could apply to that offer TA/RAships?

[juilletmercredi]

I wouldn't do this.  A PhD program in clinical psychology should be funded, and borrowing the money for tuition could produce untenable debt.  Clinical psychologists make decent money but not enough to pay back the $100,000+ in loans this could generate.

 

I would imagine that most students who don't have fully funded packages either borrow loans to pay for living expenses or work full-time to cover the living expenses.  Whether or not you could continue to work with clients depends on the demands of your program.  If it's a clinical-only professional program, with few research requirements, you may have the flexibility to do that.  But if it's a clinical science or scientist-practitioner model program, you may be too busy to see more clients than would constitute a 15-hour a week job.

 

But seriously, I would not do this.  I'd decline and then apply again next year with the hope of funding somewhere.