Ryokan College ??

I've been researching distance learning Psy.D. programs in CA and am wondering about such school as Ryokan college. Its' MA accepted by Board of Behavioral sciences in CA and the school has been around for 30 years, as well as having an actual physical location where the students receive their Bachelor degrees (graduate degrees can be taken via virtual class rooms). So as far as it being not real I am not worried about, but I am having tough time finding any reviews on it from any of the existing students, or for instance what does the admission interview consists of. I have one scheduled for tomorrow with their president (Dr. Steve Arthur). If anybody has any info please share!

 

From looking at their website, I'm going to guess a valid credit card, check, or cash in the tuition amount is all you will need.

 

I haven't responded to Amy's question because I don't know what happens at Ryokan's admissions interview. (Presumably she's already had the interview by now.)

But I do know that Ryokan isn't a mill. It's license-qualifying in California and Ryokan graduates actually do better on the psychboard exams than graduates of some of the low-end RA/APA schools.

 

Ryokan College is probably the best Psy.D. program that came out of the old CA State Approved system. The programs seem rigorous from the people I've talked to. The tuition is very reasonable considering that a number of graduates have become CA licensed and that BBS still accepts the school. Recently, I met a recent Ryokan Psy.D. at a workshop and I was very impressed with his background and attitude; he was currently collecting BBS hours toward licensure and said he had no trouble finding places to work. The problem in the counseling field though is extremely low pay and underemployment, especially in these years of CA state budget crisis. Hence, if one wants to become licensed in CA, Ryokan is probably one of the more doable options for someone switching careers in their 40s.