I have kids with special needs and mostly we see LSW...social workers and pay $200/hr.

Pp...what do u do that makes well over 6 figures? PhD psych here who would strongly advise against any doctoral psych program. I always encourage people to go for the LCSW instead. I consider myself extremely lucky to have attended a fully funded grad program and broke six figures after a decade in the field. There is no need to attend a 5 plus year program unless you are hoping to go into research/academia and the academic positions are extremely competitive and they are farming everything out to adjuncts these days...and you would need the PhD anyways for these jobs.. Don't go into debt for a moderately paying degree

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A few thoughts, as a psychologist (PhD):

-Think carefully about what you want to do with the degree, and whether an MSW would suffice. They're considerably cheaper than a PsyD and equally if not more respected.

-Think VERY carefully about getting a PsyD from a local program. The only option is really GW, and that one is mediocre at best. Stay the hell away from Argosy or other for-profit institutions. That the APA accredits these programs is shameful.

-You say you're not mobile: consider that part of the program is not only coursework and externships but a year long internship. Local internship sites are extremely competitive, and most applicants don't limit themselves geographically. If you do, that might mean compromising on internship quality, e.g., taking a non-APA accredited internship, which can negatively impact your long-term career prospects.

-You're not too old to make the switch, and depending on what you want to do, your JD/MBA could serve you well. But see above and, again, tread carefully.

I cannot stress that point in bold enough! I went there and it is my life's greatest regret. I am still in debt to them and I wish there was a way to prove that they are not what they advertise so I could discharge my 100s of student loans! That program should not exist. Do not waste time or money to even research that so called institution. I really wished there was enough interest to start a law suit against them for how they bury their students with false hope and pretty much a lifetime of student loan debt.

It's a lot more than just making a decision. The school promotes ideas and pushes trends on the students that basically forces you to stay because you know you've already started so you want to finish. It's like crossing a river halfway and then you realize that there's a free fall straight ahead, but there's no paddles for you to backtrack so you have no choice but to let the boat drift and fall forward hoping for the best outcome. That's been my experience.

Ugh so sorry!

Yes, this is a shame. I am a NP and also a PsyD who would echo what the others have posted---especially considering if a Masters level program can get you to your career goals. I had a very different experience at Argosy, though that was a decade ago. I matched with my first choice, highly sought after APA-accredited internship, passed the EPPP on my first try with flying colors, and now make well over 6 figures (not in private practice). I do have about 130k in student loans, which really sucks, but I ma doing what I love. Arogsy has changed a lot in the last decade though so I would be cautious. I would look into GW or Loyola, ut only after you consider whether a LCSW or LCPC is sufficient.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A few thoughts, as a psychologist (PhD):

-Think carefully about what you want to do with the degree, and whether an MSW would suffice. They're considerably cheaper than a PsyD and equally if not more respected.

-Think VERY carefully about getting a PsyD from a local program. The only option is really GW, and that one is mediocre at best. Stay the hell away from Argosy or other for-profit institutions. That the APA accredits these programs is shameful.

-You say you're not mobile: consider that part of the program is not only coursework and externships but a year long internship. Local internship sites are extremely competitive, and most applicants don't limit themselves geographically. If you do, that might mean compromising on internship quality, e.g., taking a non-APA accredited internship, which can negatively impact your long-term career prospects.

-You're not too old to make the switch, and depending on what you want to do, your JD/MBA could serve you well. But see above and, again, tread carefully.

I cannot stress that point in bold enough! I went there and it is my life's greatest regret. I am still in debt to them and I wish there was a way to prove that they are not what they advertise so I could discharge my 100s of student loans! That program should not exist. Do not waste time or money to even research that so called institution. I really wished there was enough interest to start a law suit against them for how they bury their students with false hope and pretty much a lifetime of student loan debt.

It's a lot more than just making a decision. The school promotes ideas and pushes trends on the students that basically forces you to stay because you know you've already started so you want to finish. It's like crossing a river halfway and then you realize that there's a free fall straight ahead, but there's no paddles for you to backtrack so you have no choice but to let the boat drift and fall forward hoping for the best outcome. That's been my experience.

Ugh so sorry!

Anonymous wrote:A few thoughts, as a psychologist (PhD):

-Think carefully about what you want to do with the degree, and whether an MSW would suffice. They're considerably cheaper than a PsyD and equally if not more respected.

-Think VERY carefully about getting a PsyD from a local program. The only option is really GW, and that one is mediocre at best. Stay the hell away from Argosy or other for-profit institutions. That the APA accredits these programs is shameful.

-You say you're not mobile: consider that part of the program is not only coursework and externships but a year long internship. Local internship sites are extremely competitive, and most applicants don't limit themselves geographically. If you do, that might mean compromising on internship quality, e.g., taking a non-APA accredited internship, which can negatively impact your long-term career prospects.

-You're not too old to make the switch, and depending on what you want to do, your JD/MBA could serve you well. But see above and, again, tread carefully.

I cannot stress that point in bold enough! I went there and it is my life's greatest regret. I am still in debt to them and I wish there was a way to prove that they are not what they advertise so I could discharge my 100s of student loans! That program should not exist. Do not waste time or money to even research that so called institution. I really wished there was enough interest to start a law suit against them for how they bury their students with false hope and pretty much a lifetime of student loan debt.

It's a lot more than just making a decision. The school promotes ideas and pushes trends on the students that basically forces you to stay because you know you've already started so you want to finish. It's like crossing a river halfway and then you realize that there's a free fall straight ahead, but there's no paddles for you to backtrack so you have no choice but to let the boat drift and fall forward hoping for the best outcome. That's been my experience.

You may find this link helpful:
http://www.bestcounselingdegrees.net/best/psy-d-programs-clinical-psychology/

Anonymous wrote:A few thoughts, as a psychologist (PhD):

-Think carefully about what you want to do with the degree, and whether an MSW would suffice. They're considerably cheaper than a PsyD and equally if not more respected.

-Think VERY carefully about getting a PsyD from a local program. The only option is really GW, and that one is mediocre at best. Stay the hell away from Argosy or other for-profit institutions. That the APA accredits these programs is shameful.

-You say you're not mobile: consider that part of the program is not only coursework and externships but a year long internship. Local internship sites are extremely competitive, and most applicants don't limit themselves geographically. If you do, that might mean compromising on internship quality, e.g., taking a non-APA accredited internship, which can negatively impact your long-term career prospects.

-You're not too old to make the switch, and depending on what you want to do, your JD/MBA could serve you well. But see above and, again, tread carefully.

I'm the PP career switcher from law to PsyD, and I'd agree to be careful about mediocre PsyD programs. When I applied to grad school I stuck with PhD programs with a less research oriented focus and a few highly ranked PsyD programs. If my only choice had been Argosy I'm not sure if I'd have made the investment. Again, check the internship match statistics carefully. PP also makes a good point about geographic limitations making internship match more difficult. This was a problem for me, although I was in an area that had enough APA accredited internships to afford me at least a dozen good options. I did end up at an internship site and postdoc the following year that necessitated 90 minute commutes from my home; this was a pain in the butt but you do what you gotta do. Again, just do your homework and at least consider if the LCSW would serve you just as well as the PsyD.

A few thoughts, as a psychologist (PhD):

-Think carefully about what you want to do with the degree, and whether an MSW would suffice. They're considerably cheaper than a PsyD and equally if not more respected.

-Think VERY carefully about getting a PsyD from a local program. The only option is really GW, and that one is mediocre at best. Stay the hell away from Argosy or other for-profit institutions. That the APA accredits these programs is shameful.

-You say you're not mobile: consider that part of the program is not only coursework and externships but a year long internship. Local internship sites are extremely competitive, and most applicants don't limit themselves geographically. If you do, that might mean compromising on internship quality, e.g., taking a non-APA accredited internship, which can negatively impact your long-term career prospects.

-You're not too old to make the switch, and depending on what you want to do, your JD/MBA could serve you well. But see above and, again, tread carefully.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Going back to school when you're older and have children sucks. You'll never get out of that degree what you put into it.

This sounds like nonsense. Putting a few years into a degree to then be gainfully employed until 60 isn't getting enough out? People change career paths all the time.

+1 made a similar decision in my late 40's and still working part-time in my 60's. Mid-30's = young!

It makes sense if you'll earn significantly more. Going from an MBA and JD to a Psy-d seems like a waste of time. My gainfully employed Psy-d friends earn $60k per year.

You can make more than that. In the DC area it isn't hard to make $90-120k. Not on par with many lawyers but not chump change either.

OP, I think you need to talk to me.

I'm a PsyD working in DC after changing careers from law to psychology in my 40's. I love what I do and have no regrets whatsoever. Let me give you some things to consider before you decide if this is for you.

How do you feel about five more years of school? This on average is how long it will take you to complete most PsyD programs. I believe GW can be done in 4 years including internship, however I think there's some summer classes involved with that. I took six years start to finish, including internship and dissertation (I attended another PsyD program in a different state and moved to DC after I graduated).

Can you handle this financially? Most PsyD programs aren't funded the way PhD programs often are. You'll need enough money to get you through at least the first couple of years until you can work part-time. Also, with kids you may find it hard to juggle much paid work and pursuing your doctorate. Do you have a spouse who can be available to help out with family responsibilities? I did and that was crucial to making it work for us. Without a very flexible partner I'd say only do this if you can afford to hire childcare help. You'll need it.

Since you're geographically limited to the DC area, are you okay with applying to available programs and having a backup plan if you don't get in? You may wish to also consider an MSW or MA in counseling as an alternate route to being a therapist, if this is what you're interested in. It's a more flexible, shorter and cheaper path, although I really felt the PsyD was a better degree for me.

Check out as many websites as you can to learn more about PsyD programs and career paths for psychologists. There are many good ones. Check out the APA website for example. Pay attention to PsyD programs' statistics on internship placement. The gold standard is a high match rate of students in full time APA accredited internships. Also look at the school's EPPP passage rates. Most of this information can be found on the program's website.

To answer your question about age, I'd say you're certainly not too old for the career change. Having a JD will be an asset in that you can already think and write well. You will have valuable life experience that will enhance your training as a psychologist. Just make sure you can handle the financial and time logistics for you and your family. Also be sure that you want to be a clinical psychologist, and realize most of us in the field don't make as much as lawyers do. I'm fine with that but I do miss the money I earned as a lawyer occasionally. I personally love what I do and find the work interesting and very fulfilling. I do okay financially.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck!

I left my career in another field and did a Masters in Clinical Psychology. I really enjoyed it.

When I finished my Masters, I looked into the PhD and PsyD as next steps. The problem became money.

I was already in debt from my Masters degree. The PhD programs would have required me to move outside the DMV area to attend their programs. The PhD programs here are very competitive and keep in mind that in a PhD program you are often given a stipend of like $14k per year to live on - that goes no where in this area.

I looked into the PsyD programs as an alternative but they are SO expensive and I was just not willing to rack up any more debt. You also don't really make a ton of money in the psych field - so consider that when you're racking up school debt.

I ended up going through all of that and had to go back into my former career. I loved what I learned in my grad program and in the research jobs I had during that time, I'm sad that I can't really use that knowledge now.

Become a psych np. It's faster. You can prescribe. You'll make more money.

As someone in a former psy-d program with a for-profit school, it was my life's biggest mistake. I got a MA out of the program and it's completely useless to me. I started off with job offers at entry level coming out with a MA.

I left the Psy-D program because it was costing me too much to finance. Now I am over 250k in student loan debt and I don't suggest that to anyone regardless how wealthy you are to afford it. Interest sucks.

Anonymous wrote:If you like what you do, and excel at it, there is no reason to quit, then you are quitting because? You explanation sounds a lot like, "I had messed up things happen in my life, and am going to help people deal with the messed up things that happened in theirs." Which may not be the best reason in the world to wade into counseling as a career. Also, don't counselors and lawyers have pretty opposing skill sets?

If you really feel this this is an amazing idea though, PPs who say to do an MSW are spot on.

+1
your justification for such a drastic move does not make any sense. why don't you take a course or two and become a life-coach? sure doesn't sound very respectable perhaps but you are supposedly looking into this field for other reasons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Going back to school when you're older and have children sucks. You'll never get out of that degree what you put into it.

This sounds like nonsense. Putting a few years into a degree to then be gainfully employed until 60 isn't getting enough out? People change career paths all the time.

+1 made a similar decision in my late 40's and still working part-time in my 60's. Mid-30's = young!

It makes sense if you'll earn significantly more. Going from an MBA and JD to a Psy-d seems like a waste of time. My gainfully employed Psy-d friends earn $60k per year.