Hi there. In December I graduate with a Masters from UNLV's Marriage and Family Therapy program, here in Las Vegas Nevada. I would like to go on for a doctorate degree in Psychology, that is my dream... but I want a PsyD, not a PhD, and I would like it to be in either counseling psych or clinical psych, preferably counseling psych. I am open to travelling anywhere in the USA for testing purposes, as frequently as the degree demands, but I want to continue to reside in Nevada, so I need an ONINE or DISTANCE ED PsyD, because there are NO PSYD Programs in Nevada, as far as I know. In addition, I want to be able to become a LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST in Nevada. So I went on the APA website, and I see no APA accredited ONLINE or DISTANCE ED PSYD's, only programs in which you must establish state residency. Is that correct? So I called the Nevada licensing board, and they tell me that my online or distance ed Psy D must be "APA accredited" OR "Regionally accredited," ( I assume for Nevada) but that it would be "harder" to get licensed if the program was only regionally accredited, and not APA. Beyond that, the licensing board was not at ALL helpful... They were very vague about what "harder" means, and they had zero suggestions as far as which online or distance ed PSY D programs(if any) are regionally accredited for Nevada. My professors do not know either, because they are primarily MFT's, not psychologists. So I hunted around online, and could find none. So it is seeming to me as if it might be impossible to become a licensed psychologist in Nevada with an online or distance ed PsyD. Is this really the case?! Thanks- Maya
Hi Maya - Here's the two I know: http://www.rockies.edu/online/psydcp.php http://www.argosy.edu/colleges/psychology-behavioral-sciences/
While both of these schools offer online doctorates in psychology (PsyD and EdD, respectively), neither of these programs prepares one to become a licensed Psychologist. Fielding University offers the only online, APA-accredited doctorate in psychology. The program is a PhD (not a PsyD) in Clinical Psychology. One may complete this program without relocating, however, a number of National, Regional and Clinical sessions are required, with locations around the USA. Nevada does provide a mechanism by which one may Submit "proof that unaccredited program is equivalent to accredited program." Source: Nevada State NAC web site. I would contact the Nevada board of psychology directly before attempting a non-APA doctoral program. It would be a shame to spend the time and money on a program, only for your state to reject your application.
I don't have any answers, but you can check out this forum regarding online clinical psychology programs: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=606991 You might also try doing searches using the keywords: low residency.
And you have to pay through the nose for that APA accreditation, too.. The program is incredibly expensive. Unfortunately, it comes down to: Getting into a good B&M program that's APA certified, which can be a tough proposition, unless you know the right people... There are 3 APA schools in my area, and they take from 1-8 people out of all the applicants on yearly basis. They're also Bachelor > Doctorate programs with a Masters Degree boobie prize. There don't seem to be any schools in Nevada that are APA certified for either Clinical or Counseling, according to the APA Going to Fielding DL and getting ready to eat around $80,000-$160,000 at $22000/year + books + residencies for 6-8 years(Isn't it about the same to just go to medschool and do a psychiatric residency to become a psychiatrist? At least you'd get a script pad and a cool lab coat that way. And get to wear scrubs to work if you really felt like it...) Or going to a cheaper, non-APA certified RA DL program and either saying 'I'm happy with what I have' and try to get licensed that way or spending extra money and getting through the Clinical Doctoral Respecialization program through Fielding, which tacks on APA accrediation as a Clinical Psychologist to your non-APA (non-clinical, I would assume) doctorate. I haven't bothered to price the respec, as it was not going to be an option for me (as a resident of OK) NCU, Capella, and Walden all have Psych Doctorates, but only Capella has a PsyD out of the three of them. The estimated cost for Capella's PsyD is about $79k+books & travel, but that includes their residency costs with two 4 day, two 6 day, and I think three 2 week residencies. NCU has a PhD that looks to run about $34k+books, no residency. Walden's PhD clocks in around $90,000 for the program, but $20k of that is estimated as residency costs. Hmm... No matter how you break it down, its not going to be cheap to get there... You could just become a LMFT or a LPC and call it a day.
No problem. You provide a wealth of information on this board. It's just that I'm a pysychology dork and I already knew the answer.
Thanks to ALL of you!!! This has been incredibly helpful to me, and now I am strongly leaning in the direction of just being satisfied with my son to be LMFT status!!! Thanks for all the time it took to post these nicely detailed replies! Maya
Maya, There is nothing wrong with being satisfied with your LMFT and just stopping there. However, you could earn an online, regionally or nationally accredited PsyD, EdD or PhD in Psychology which do not lead to licensure, but would provide you with the additional prestige of having a doctorate. This might be a nice complement to your M.S. If you decide to go this route, there are a number of RA options, including: University of the Rockies - PsyD with numerous concentrations Argosy - EdD in Counseling Psychology Northcentral University (NCU) - PhD in Psychology, PhD in MFT Capella University - PhD General Psychology, PhD in General Counseling, PsyD Clinical Psychology Note: None of the programs listed above are APA accredited. The Capella PsyD in Clinical Psychology can lead to licensure in some states. If you're willing to look into a nationally accredited (DETC) program, California Southern University offers an online PsyD. This program is probably the least expensive of the bunch.
Dear Maya, Congrats on your master's from UNLV. That is such a great MFT program. I know 'cause in 2008 when I was finishing my master's in counseling psych. (Bethel University, St. Paul, MN) I applied to UNLV's post-grad. master's program and certificate in MFT as well as the Ed.D. in counseling psychology from Argosy University/Seattle. I was accepted at both and was so torn that I accepted both offers at first, then decided on Argosy and Seattle and the doctorate, which DOES prepare its graduates for the LP (licensed psychologist) licensure here in the state of Washington. I appreciate japhy's notes above, but wanted to correct his statement that Argosy's Ed.D. does not lead to licensure. Look carefully at each Argosy program and state requirements; here at AU/Seattle the LP requirements are constantly addressed and although our program is not APA-accredited, it is excellent and I believe rigorous. I would definitely be interested in hearing more about what you've decided to do post-master's. There is much you can do there with your training and licensure, and as I recall, Nevada needs more mental health professionals, yes? For my part, I have been hard at work here in Seattle for three full academic years, taking the final course now and preparing for comprehensive exams. Then just dissertation and internship left before graduating in Oct. 2013. After that I will go for the LP designation. Meanwhile I am working as a narrative therapist part-time in private practice and doing academic and literary editing to pay the bills. Sabrina
