Graduate Programs in Psychology

Dr. Michael Anziano

Graduate Degrees in Clinical and Counseling Psychology M Ed. In Counseling (education Masters) MA or MS in Counseling Psychology MA in Clinical Psychology MSW (masters in Social Work) Psy D. (Doctor of Psychology) Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

Graduate School Admission Criteria Criteria Importance GRE / GPA Gen. High Research Experience High ** Related Work Experience Medium Letters of Recommendation High ** Statement of Goals/Objectives High /

Med. Related Public Service Low / Med. Interview High Extracurricular Activity Low / Med.

** Always or Nearly Always Rated High

Psychology MA or MS Programs Admission is less competitive

– Mean GPA typically 2.75 – 3.0– Median GRE usually 500 Verbal; 540 Q

Completion Time Median is 2 years Types of Programs (Examples)

– General Psyc MA– Psyc Research or Doctoral Prep MA/MS– Clinical MA some with MFT emphasis– Counseling Psyc MA– Forensic Psyc MA (Univ. of Denver)

Psychology MA or MS Programs More students accepted – larger cohorts

(e.g., 20-40 students may be admitted each year) Internships usually required for Clinical or Counseling

Psychology MA Univ. counseling services / community Off-campus clinic / Therapeutic setting Can be a route to acceptance in Ph. D. Program

– e.g., In 2003, 8/12 Ph.D. candidates in Counseling Psychology at Denver Univ. went to MA Program at D.U.!

MA Programs: 2002-03 examples

GRE: V; Q Acc. Rate Cal State, Northridge 500; 540 17/20 Gen MA Pepperdine Univ. 470; 500 42/124 Clinical MA Univ N. Colo 500; 500 20/25 School Couns. MA Univ. of Denver 530; 560 30/90 Couns. Psyc MA Univ. N. Arizona 475; 455 21/56 M Ed / MA School Couns. Humboldt State no minimum 10/15 Gen. MA GRE not required for Some programs

PsyD. – Professional Degree Programs

Admission fairly competitive - 4 –5 years to complete Usually offered in Schools of Professional Psychology Less research oriented – more applied / practice Prepares one for work in clinics, hospitals, private

practice and state licensure. Involves assessment, clinical skills,& treatment of psychological problems.

Internships required 2nd/3rd year

PsyD. – Professional Degree Programs  Some programs offer specialty areas – for example: Clinical Psy D Forensic Psy D or Psy D / JD comb. Clinical Neuropsychology Psy D Health Psychology Psy D Ecosystemic Child Clinical (Alliant U)  Larger class size admitted - examples: 42/120 admitted 117/184 admitted 71/159 admitted

PsyD. – Professional Degree Programs: DRAWBACKS

EXPENSIVE !! Tuition high / Financial aid low

Not much in grants, scholarships or TA or RA opportunities. Students often older

Median GRE approximately 575 for Verbal and Quantitative

PsyD. Programs (APA accredited)

Program GRE V,Q Accpt.Rate Tuition $ Aid $ Pepperdine Univ. 520; 560 47 / 90 Med Fair Univ. of Denver 550; 570 32 / 125 High Fair Alliant Univ. (Calif) not req. 54 / 114 High Poor Pacific U. (Oregon) 530; 570 62 / 115 Med Good Wright St. Univ (Ohio)

510; 540 32 / 174 Med Good

American Prof. Sch. not req. 106 / 192 Med Poor

Ph.D. Programs in Psychology

Admission most competitive – especially Clinical Psychology programs

Very small cohorts admitted - e.g., 6 –15 new students each year in University Programs

Example: U. of Ariz. (2002-03)– Clinical Psychology: 8 / 211 accepted

More research-oriented in all Ph.D. areas. – One is “expected to contribute to growth of

knowledge” Breadth and depth of research required Doctoral Dissertation may take 1 – 3 or more

years to complete...

Ph.D. Programs in Psychology

Many areas of specialization: – Clinical, Counseling, Social, Experimental,

Developmental, Neuroscience, Ethology, Educational, Cognitive, etc.

Median # of years to complete = 6 Tuition varies, but Financial aid often excellent. With so few students all will generally get some

funding – e.g., TA or RA paid position Tuition remission; Grants and scholarships

Ph.D. Programs in Psychology

Research or Clinical experience weighted heavily in admission decisions.

GRE scores very important. Consider Counseling Psych Programs

housed in Colleges of Education (vs. Psych Dept. Clinical)

Some Professional Grad Schools offer APA accredited Ph.D.

Ph.D. Programs – Clinical Psychology (APA accredited)

Program GRE V,Q Accpt.Rate Tuition $

Aid $

Idaho State Univ.

540; 600 20 / 35 Low Excel.

C.U. Boulder 615; 695 6 / 185 Low Good Univ. of Washington

560; 660 5 / 136 Med Excel.

Univ. of Montana

620; 620 13 / 118 Med Excel.

Ph.D. Programs in Counseling Psychology

ProgramC.S.U. Fort CollinsUniv. of DenverU.C. Santa Barb.Florida St. Univ.Univ. of IndianaUniv. of Kentucky

GRE V; Q650; 650575; 615550; 550550; 550530; 6253.37 GPA

Accept. Rate14 / 14712 / 8516 / 1808 / 459 / 10711 / 21

Tuition $LowHighMedMedMedMed

Aid

$GoodGoodGood FairExcelExcel.

MSW Programs Admission competitive, but requirements vary

(e.g., GRE may not be required for admission) Preparation for working with youth, families,

agencies, community organizations, government Careers in Dept. of Social Services, Community

Mental Health Centers, Child Welfare Agencies, Social Policy and Community Organization

Approximately 60 credit hours… Takes 2 – 3 years to complete

MSW Programs Many programs consist of: Foundation Year and

Concentration Year. Typical concentrations: Clinical Practice: social work counseling with couples,

families. Child welfare issues, High-Risk youth, adult health/ subs.abuse

Community Practice: Organization and Policy issues, social change, community leadership, agency reform, etc.

Admission: Generally a BA plus 20 semester hours in social/behavioral science (e.g., psychology)

GPA: approximately 3.0 minimum GRE not required for some programs (e.g., U of Denver)

Any questions?