Just finished Fielding OPS!

Wanted to post to the members of Degreeinfo that I just completed the OPS (orientation and planning session) for Fielding's clinical psychology Ph.D. program. I have been posting about this issue recently here. For me it was a powerful experience. I had many different feelings that ebbed and flowed during the experience. These ranged from anxiety and brief moments of "Oh my God! What have I done!" to feeling truely welcomed and appreciated by a committed group of educators who respect a non-traditional student and a great model of education. Got to spend the week on the beach in Santa Barbara and got the opportunity to meet a great group of new friends. The way they set this up, I am going to have lots of support and F2F contact while completing my degree. This is a very pleasant surprise!

 

As you probably know, Fielding gets a fair amount of mention around here due to their rather unique status re APA and DL. I'm sure there are many people who would value your ongoing appraisal of the program. Best of luck,
Jack

 

Yes, please!

Thanks for the run down. Now that NCU is just totally out of my picture, I may as well get the apa doc, I mean if that rich uncle I don't know about dies. Anyhow, congrats and do keep us informed. I would especially love to hear about the "year in res" requirements and how easily or difficult they are accomplished.

 

Good luck to you! Good start!



[Disclaimer: I am not Jodokk's rich uncle.]

 

Thanks Guys! The Clinical Psychology and Human and Organizational development students shared thesame planning session. What inpressed me about my fellow students are how accomplished they are as a group. Almost everyone accepted into the Clinical psyche program has a MA or MS, there was a woman with a Ph.D. already from the University of London in a different area going for a 2nd Ph.D. in psychology. The Fielding faculty really emphasized how doctoral level work os far more theory based than masters level work. also I was impressed by one facet of the dissertation that I had never heard of before. At Fielding the dissertation committee is composed of a chair, a second faculty member, an associate dean, and an "external reviewer." The "external reviewer" is a faculty member of another university who is an published expert in one's chosen area of dissertation study. Having an external reviewer helps to ensure that the dissertation meets external academic standards AND it allows the student to network with leaders in the profession/academe. It aso helps the reputation of Fielding to have their students do quality work with faculty from other (often tier one) programs! Gawd I am intimidated

 

I would especially love to hear about the "year in res" requirements and how easily or difficult they are accomplished.
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The "Year in Residence" required by APA becomes about 300 hours of face to face contact with faculty. After this week alone, I managed to get 54 hours in. Most students vastly exceed this number by the time they graduate.

 

Yeah!

Congratulations!!!!!

 

Go for it, Chris! Earning a legitimate psychology doctorate is a grueling but rewarding experience. Sometimes it was a lot of fun, sometimes it was remarkably frustrating, and every once in a while it was a real snooze. It was almost never easy. I especially remember one summer while studying learning theory when I thought I’d rather eat dirt and live in a cave than spend another minute with schedules of reinforcement. Other than 'the rat is never wrong' I've forgotten or maybe suppressed most of it. Taking the high road, pursing an APA-approved degree, will pay off many times over. If at all possible, make sure you couple it with an APA-approved internship. Doors will open – internship, post-doc, licensure, networking, etc, -- those without the APA pedigree can only dream of.

 

Re: Yes, please!

 

One thing that was discussed at my meetings at Fielding is the changing nature of the profession and the changing nature of professional practice. The national unemployment rate for doctoral psychologists is quite small. I am in the predoctoral neuropsychology track and unemployment in that speciality area is miniscule. Also different practice opportunities and areas are developing all the time and nontraditional applications are continually emerging. The model of private practice developed in previous decades in which psychologists engage in private practice for insurance reimbursement is declining. However, there is a movement afoot to give psychologists the abilty and training to prescribe medications. New Mexico and Louisiana have already passed the legislation. Other states such as mine (Tennessee) are expected to follow. This will utterly transform the economic equation as more and more states pass this type of legislation. Beyond this issue, a group of extremely well educated persons with extensive research and clinical knowledge of human behavior will always be a valued asset and should be able to find and develop niches anywhere in the economy rather than sucking on the nipples of HMO's forever. Besides, for me getting the Ph.D. has been a lifelong dream and if I don't do it now, I will regret it forever and I am unwilling to live with eternal regret.

 

Besides, for me getting the Ph.D. has been a lifelong dream and if I don't do it now, I will regret it forever and I am unwilling to live with eternal regret.

RESPONSE: This is the key point and benefit for obtaining this degree and I agree entirely with your reason for pursuing it. Good luck in your program.

RESPONSE TO THE RESPONSE!

Thanks Simon! Frankly doing something I have always wanted to do is the primary motivation for me. I am at the point in my life that, if I am going to do the Ph.D., now is the best time! Right now I am working to create a learning plan for my doctoral studies that will consume my time over the next few years. Fielding requires all new students to create a multi-year learning plan in which we integrate the various aspects of our life to create something viable given our unique life circumstances. Anyway thanks for the thoughtful words!