School Psych Phd Programs?

[boston25]

Hello all,

 

Quick background- last winter, I applied to 10 clinical psych programs. I had two interviews and ultimately got rejected across the board. I’m currently 25 years old and no longer interested in applying to clinical programs. I recently started looking into school psych program and honestly, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of information or stats on programs. 

 

I graduated with a BS in psych with a 3.9 GPA. My GRE scores are average: verbal 157 (74%), quant 154 (56%), analytical 5.5 (98%). I have 3 years undergrad research experience and a great relationship with my professor from that lab. Additionally, after graduating, I started working at a non-profit mental health agency doing outreach work with children with serious emotional disturbance. 

 

I’m trying to stay in New England as my boyfriend is a lawyer and can only practice in our state. I live extremely close to UMass Amherst (my alma mater) and am looking to apply there. Does any one have any more information about selectiveness for these types of programs? Would I be better of applying to a masters program? Just the thought of applying to programs again makes my head spin! Any advice from any school psych students would be much appreciated!!! 

 

[iphi]

School Psych programs are a lot less competitive than Clinical, but you will have to prove relevant research interests and experience with kids. You'll be better off with a PhD since then you can practice privately (probably closer to what you wanted from Clinical) and also because internships in your area either don't pay or pay very little. You'd be better off doing an APIC (APA) internship as a doc student.

 

For more info come join us on the School Psych thread, or start one for 2016! But if you're starting one I would make it more general since most people are applying to EdS over PhDs for SP.

 

About Amherst, I don't know much, but they have a limited program/research interests and their website is crap. Also, it's not generally a great idea to go to the same place for PhD as for undergrad, but whatever works for you! Especially if you're not going into academia. I will say that approaching a PhD program with the idea that you HAVE to stay in one state is not a great idea, but you can probably get away with it more than in, say, a Clinical Program. You may look into UMass Boston's program, it's not super competitive to get into.

[new here]

Hi boston25, 

 

I applied (and was later accepted) to several School Psychology PhD programs - including UMass Amherst - this past fall, and I will be attending a university in New England this September. Based on the information you've provided (GRE scores, research and clinical experience, GPA), I think you're qualified to apply directly to PhD programs. I would just recommend making sure that you write a strong statement of purpose. 

 

Also, you may have already come across these, but here are some posts you might find helpful:

 

my first post, from when I started looking into School Psychology PhD programs:

 

 

Fall 2015 school psych thread: 

 

 

Hope this was at least somewhat helpful! Please feel free to message me with any questions! 

[boston25]

School Psych programs are a lot less competitive than Clinical, but you will have to prove relevant research interests and experience with kids. You'll be better off with a PhD since then you can practice privately (probably closer to what you wanted from Clinical) and also because internships in your area either don't pay or pay very little. You'd be better off doing an APIC (APA) internship as a doc student.

 

For more info come join us on the School Psych thread, or start one for 2016! But if you're starting one I would make it more general since most people are applying to EdS over PhDs for SP.

 

About Amherst, I don't know much, but they have a limited program/research interests and their website is crap. Also, it's not generally a great idea to go to the same place for PhD as for undergrad, but whatever works for you! Especially if you're not going into academia. I will say that approaching a PhD program with the idea that you HAVE to stay in one state is not a great idea, but you can probably get away with it more than in, say, a Clinical Program. You may look into UMass Boston's program, it's not super competitive to get into.

 

Thanks for your help. The website is one of the worst! However, school psych falls under the school of education. Since I graduated with my degree in psychology, which falls under the college of natural sciences at UMass- I don't foresee a problem. My LOR are all on board with me applying there. Again, thanks for the help.

[poocha]

Hello, everyone. I am new to this thread so...hello .

 

I have kind of a stupid question which I can't seem to find an adequate online answer. I am interested in applying for a doctorate in School Psychology. I have an M.A./C.A.G.S. and have been practicing for 15 years. My question is what is the difference between and Eds and a Phd as I go forward. My hope is to have more training to continue practicing in the school setting.

 

Thanks.

[iphi]

Hello, everyone. I am new to this thread so...hello .

 

I have kind of a stupid question which I can't seem to find an adequate online answer. I am interested in applying for a doctorate in School Psychology. I have an M.A./C.A.G.S. and have been practicing for 15 years. My question is what is the difference between and Eds and a Phd as I go forward. My hope is to have more training to continue practicing in the school setting.

 

Thanks.

 

EdS is an Education Specialist degree. It is the minimum qualification needed to work in a school or anywhere as a licensed school psychologist. It includes a Master's degree plus one year of internship, so generally 3 years total. You should get an Ed.S if you want to be a School Psychologist.

 

A PhD is obviously a Doctorate degree. You need one to work in a private practice (see clients), to be a professor, or for any other job requiring a doctorate. You can also work as a school psychologist with a PhD, it's just a longer track and most school psychs with PhDs do not work in schools. Some work for school districts, department of public instruction, researchers (including professors) and, again, in private practice. This usually takes a minimum of 5 years (plus or including one year of internship).

 

So if you just want to be a school psych an EdS is your best bet.

Edited June 22, 2015 by iphi

[boston25]

EdS is an Education Specialist degree. It is the minimum qualification needed to work in a school or anywhere as a licensed school psychologist. It includes a Master's degree plus one year of internship, so generally 3 years total. You should get an Ed.S if you want to be a School Psychologist.

 

A PhD is obviously a Doctorate degree. You need one to work in a private practice (see clients), to be a professor, or for any other job requiring a doctorate. You can also work as a school psychologist with a PhD, it's just a longer track and most school psychs with PhDs do not work in schools. Some work for school districts, department of public instruction, researchers (including professors) and, again, in private practice. This usually takes a minimum of 5 years (plus or including one year of internship).

 

So if you just want to be a school psych an EdS is your best bet.

 

Hello. I see you're in a PhD program for school psych. Any particular reason you chose PhD route over the EdS?

[iphi]

Hello. I see you're in a PhD program for school psych. Any particular reason you chose PhD route over the EdS?

 

I want to work in a private practice, and at the time I applied I also was considering becoming a professor at the time I applied (I'm not anymore) I have a research background, so conducting research was a big part of my reason for going to grad school.

[cagedbird77]

PsyD programs are another option if you want to go the school psych doctorate route! I'm currently going into my second year as a PsyD student and I absolutely love the applied practice aspect of my program. I am constantly applying what I learn in class into my practicum sites and my professors always gear our classes towards real-world settings and problems we may encounter. Just like with a PhD, I can also work in private practice after graduation, or even clinical settings if I desire. The only major difference between PsyD and PhD is research and the easiness in which one can become a professor after graduation. Granted, I also like research too but I get to do it on my own time and I have quite the free reign to do whatever I want. A drawback I have encountered is the lack of funding that is readily available for grad students in PsyD programs (however, our PhD program is scarcely funded too, so it could just be my university lol). I was lucky enough to get a lot of funding though but I had to really search for it.