Liberty's PsyD in Clinical Psychology

Well, it's not offered online...

However, the program seems to be new. They plan to apply for APA accreditation in year 2. Students will be awarded an MA in Clinical Psychology after year 2. The admissions requirements seem rigorous.

Program Features for the Psy.D. Degree
As a student, you will be awarded an M.A. in Clinical Psychology following your second year of study. Students will be required to complete a quantitative research-based dissertation and a one-year internship before graduating. You will engage in clinical work beginning your second year and must complete a minimum of 20 hours per week in clinical activities. Clinical sites are being added will include Centra Health, Piedmont Psychiatric Center, and Virginia Baptist Hospital in Lynchburg, Va.

https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/psychology/doctoral/clinical-psychology-psyd/

 

Nice to see they will be seeking accreditation. I have wondered why Liberty did not seek out AACSB for their business programs instead of ACBSP.

 

Whatever nasty things I might think (or say or write) about LU and its founder and family, they have a track record of knowing how to achieve and maintain accreditation. See for example their law school. They take their programs seriously.

 

I've seen where people on here mentioned that AACSB is focused on research business schools while ACBSP focuses on teaching schools. However, I do not find that to be true. Small teaching schools like SUNO (notorious for having the lowest graduation rate in the U.S.), LSU-Shreveport, and others have achieved AACSB accreditation.

 

Exactly. They is what they always say regarding the two accrediting bodies. However, like you stated, if these smaller schools with less "funds" can achieve AACSB then so should Liberty. At least that is my opinion.

 

I have to think their chances of APA accreditation are quite high. I doubt seriously they got into this without (a) knowing they had a viable path, (b) knew they could execute it, and (c) the APA was consulted.

If there is an incentive to taking this risk as a degree applicant, I think it would be a low risk.

 

AACSB accreditation cuts two ways. Sure, it’s very prestigious. But your curricula have to meet their eye. You have to have sufficient (in their view) full-time faculty. And those faculty (largely) have to have terminal degrees from AACSB-accredited schools. Meeting these criteria could be a major investment—and disruption—while the return might not be all that great. Things to consider.