For Those Who Are Thinking of Attaining an APA Accredited Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from a Christian University

Here’s Your Lifesaver:

So there I was. A young 30-year old college graduate looking to impact my fields like Tim Minchin, Trey Gowdy, Bat Thumb, and other superheroes. I began calling around to see all my options.

This is the list I use when I am helping Christian college kids learn about the field of psychology. This story is not something a person can just research. It would be impossible almost. I’d say this story is a needle in a haystack, really is a lifesaver for anyone searching for this very specific degree!

First and foremost

Stay classy.

Secondly

Forget researching for a master's program. Even if you have a master’s you will compete against those with work experience during the selection process.

If you have a master’s and experience you will have a better chance merely getting to the interview (these specific programs will not care about your master’s if it is not from their institution, in terms of credits, but it does show your determination in clinical psychology, which is credibility). If you have great interview skills, look good, and have a great public speaking voice, you will nail it. I’ve seen some of the instructors in each of the schools and that is exactly what they were.

In the event you finish one of the following doctoral programs, you will have two master's degrees to pay off because all but one of these programs will give you a master's as you finish — when each program is over $100,000 as is.

However, winning the interview is about selling yourself to a clinical psychology college program board. That could, for you, look like already having a master's and mental health licensure if you do not have a 3.5 GPA. If you have a good GPA in a relevant psychology program and school, then go ahead and apply and fight to be selected.

I have seen it go different ways:

• With no experience, but a master’s degree with a great GPA.
• No master’s, but amazing confidence, a great bachelor GPA, a great reference list (a Christian influencer parent, essentially, because somehow that will help when you stand before God to account for your own life, too), a successful portfolio of .5 jobs, and propriety.
• And the whole therapist package: experience, a license, and a master’s.

All comes down to who you are. They are only banking on you as a person. You have to fit their portfolio.

After the list, I will break down the difference between Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

SCHOOLS

Now, here is a list of the ONLY 6 Christian universities in the United States as of 2019, of which, in their *Clinical Psychology Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and/or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Program(s)* are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Accredited by the world-renown APA instead of solely Christian accreditation may be helpful with internships and future job opportunities outside of Christian private practice.

(All program links are at bottom of the article)

1. Regent University, School of Psychology and Counseling

• Singular Psy.D. program offered.
• Their Psy.D Clinical Psychology program awards a graduate student both a Master's and Doctorate degree during the program.
• It is an average-5 year and full-time program.
• They offer different Ph.D. non-clinical psychological degrees — in which, some are online.
• Virginia Beach, VA.

2. Wheaton College, Department of Psychology

• Singular Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program offered.
• They may have a master's degree awarded with their Clinical Psychology doctorate. I was not able to obtain that information at this time.
• It is, also, an average-5 year, full-time program, depending on how quickly you work.
• Wheaton, IL.

3. George Fox University, Doctor of Psychology program

• Singular Psy.D. Program Offered.
• Their Clinical Psychology program awards a graduate student both a Master and a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology.
• It is an average 6-year and full-time program.
• Newberg, OR.

4. Fuller Theological Seminary, School of Psychology

• *Both, Psy.D. and Ph.D. Clinical Psychology programs are offered.
• After completing 88 selected units of study, students are awarded a Master of Arts in Psychology (wall candy).
• It is an average-5 year and full-time program.
• The difference in their Ph.D. is that it is typically a 6-year program — for other differences, refer to: http://fuller.edu/uploadedFiles/Siteroot/Academics/School_of_Theology(2)/CATS/Competencies_Comparison_Chart_PsyD_PhD_Clinical_Psychology_Fuller_Seminary.pdf
• Pasadena, CA.

5. Biola University, Rosemead School of Psychology

• *Both, Psy.D. and Ph.D. Clinical Psychology programs are offered.
• Their Clinical Psychology programs do award a graduate student both a Master's and a Doctorate degree.
• It is an average 5-year and full-time program.
• La Mirada, CA. is where the main campus is; Rosemead School of Psychology is located in Rosemead, CA.

6. Last, but not least — Azusa Pacific University, Department of Graduate Psychology | School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences

• Singular Psy.D. Program Offered — Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology: Family Psychology.
• A student can apply for a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology when they have completed an equivalent number of units (Not sure of their master requirement).
• It is a 5-year and full-time program
• Azusa, CA.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

It may seem like a given that all which award both the master and the doctorate degree, that the masters is a Clinical Psychology (master of science) degree, based on the name of the program, but that is not the case. Some may have pastoral counseling or depending on which classes you take in the first few years, maybe neuroscience (which would be really cool). #4: Fuller Theological Seminary presents a Master of Arts in Psychology; and so, be careful when you talk to the admissions or read the website (if you are literally concerned about the masters). Or just wait for a year or two years in the program and I’m sure they will tell you. The plan is the doctorate.

These programs are very detailed, and each has its differences — differences being how the classroom smells and what beaches are nearby. Some websites try to say something unique, but really are saying the same thing as the other universities, but with different words. Grammar. Potato, potato; biopsychology, psychobiology; 2+2=3.99, 2+2=4.01 — grenade!

For those who wish to not attend a doctorate and would like to stay with a trusted Christian university, this is not the article to read. I am not aware of any university besides Liberty University and Regent that has a Master of Clinical Psychology outside of a doctoral program package. I know there are, though. For a small fee of $80, I’ll find you one. Let me know. I am sure though, that there are dozens of masters out there in the stars.

The cities and states are listed, yes, but I just wanted to double-tap on one thing. The three universities in California are

• Fuller Theological Seminary: School of Psychology
• Biola University: Rosemead School of Psychology. Rosemead, CA, not to be confused with La Mirada, CA.
• Azusa Pacific University: Department of Graduate Psychology.
• None of these 6 programs were nonresidential.

NOW, for the difference between Ph.D. and Psy.D. Potato, potato; biopsychology, psychobiology; 2+2=3.9999, 2+2=4.000001 — grenade! In basic, a Ph.D. is circled around clinical research, teaching, and practice; as if one would go on to be a professor or director of a multitude of things in the future, while still licensed (part-time therapy, probably for research, and all psychologists at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Swish, Ba-dum-TSH). Psy.D. is circled around hands-on psychological practice for a living — as self-employed or working in mental health departments — okay, I have met one Psy.D. working at the Department of Veteran Affairs (but since this psychology I get to say “there are always outliers”).

They both do quite a bit of work with assessments and diagnoses. There is a statistical significance to where each ends up near retirement in regards to operations or frontline workers — Ph.D. = CEO. It’s based on personality.

That is a general description and it does not mean that neither of the two does conduct a bit of the other — because they sure do — grenade! It depends on the employer, practice insurance, work goals, and the right opportunity. To dig deeper, this is your best, quick, and easy-to-read webpage to give you a clear-cut interpretation of the differences: https://www.psychologydegree411.com/#levels (I love this website, they do a LOT of good work and I use them a lot) & http://www.allpsychologyschools.com/

Other related areas are in alphabetical order:

Yes, the field of psychology is very broad and has many facets; a lot of the field overlaps itself, even if most providers and instructors will not admit it. So be careful in your approach and ask questions! It took me 5 months to get all this information that you read in four minutes.

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
• Neuropsychology (which is neuroscience + psychology)
• Clinical Neuropsychology (most licensed persons attained a clinical psychology degree before obtaining a CERTIFICATION in neuropsychology; but, there are doctoral degrees in neuropsychology)
• Psychoneurology (not APA accredited)
• Neurobiology, a branch of neuroscience
• Biopsychology (biology + psychology) (also known as psychobiology)
• Pathophysiology
• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Behavioral Psychology
• Political Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Early Childhood Development
• Business Psychology
• Industrial Psychology
• School Psychology
• Criminal Psychology
• Sports Psychology (sports psychologist like working at a school or college)
• Health Psychology
• Comparative Psychology
• Divinity
• Psychoneurobiology (psychology + neuroscience + biology which studies a 3-dimension view of a human — mind, body, emotions. I am sure there is a lot plant studies involved to earn the biology part)
• MFT — Marriage and Family Therapist
• Counseling Psychology
• Neuropharmacology (clinical neuropharmacology) — studying the effects of drugs on the nervous system
• Clinical Psychopharmacology — studying psychotic medications in therapy.
• Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology — at this point they are just making stuff up. It’s actually the study of the neural mechanisms that drugs act upon to influence behavior. Combining the science of Clinical Psychopharmacology with actually wanting to know why (Neuropharmacology). Whereas, Neuropharmacology is the why without the science. No, literally!

There may be a neurophysiology degree or other neuroscience degrees that you may be led to instead of psychological sciences. A good rule is if you do not know what something is — and you are Christian — God will not lead you to it 99% of the time. For example, if David had never used a shepherd’s sling or if he did and missed the lion and bear both times, God would not have chosen him to use a shepherd’s sling to kill a really large Kryptonian, simple. Have you ever heard of a missionary getting a plane ticket to a country he has never heard of? How did he buy a plane ticket to a country he did not know?

You are Holy Spirit-led humans, not Jesus. You were not with God when He said “Let’s make man in our image”. If I weren’t there, you weren’t either.

Mental Health Professionals

• PP — not to be confused with — you know. Is Para Professional. This is the basic level of mental health.
• AP — Associate Professional. High school diploma or GED and experience working with children and/or families. A bachelor's degree in human services (or related field) with less than two years of clinical experience working with children and/or families. Or a Bachelor's degree in a non-human services or psychological field with less than four years of clinical experience working with children and/or families.
• QP means — Qualified Professional. A QP is obtained with 4 years of experience, a degree and 2 years experience, or a masters degree and 1-year experience

Social Work:

• BSW — Bachelor of Social Work
• MSW — Master of Social Work
• LMSW — Licensed Master of Social Work (or if you are in Pennsylvania and want to be an individual, LSW — you think you’re cool with your romantic White Hallmark Christmases?)
• LCSW — Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• DSW — given (Doctor of Social Work)

Email Colby Neukum, MSW at [email protected] with any questions. He will probably just tell you to check out the NASW (National Association of Social Workers), not to be confused with NASA (you know, the people who slowly float in space, but train by spinning in circles at high speeds).

Additional Info (if you are still reading):

• Each program listed is over $110,000 and is more expensive than the average non-Christian university’s Clinical Psychology program due to the biblical integration and the additional year. One of those listed above is $140,000. You’ll probably start off with a $50,000 salary; it’ll just take a couple of years to pay it off. If I remember correctly the median pay is $70,000 for clinical psychology graduates.
• Each has one additional year than secular universities due to Christian integration. To keep that APA Accreditation, it is extended to that year. This is why many Christian universities are not accredited in their Clinical Psychology because they have less psychological education in their programs than the APA requires or they just do not see a need for APA accreditation. It is all about where you are led in life, as to whether you need the accreditation or not. So, overall, you will have more academic time than most other graduates you run across — definitely if you get a master’s before you go (ha-ha).
• One is, but maybe two, Ph.D. programs on our list is an average six-year program.
• Do not just watch the videos and look at the pictures of these programs, you can create a preference, thus a bias from comparing visual appearances and lovely speeches (essentially comparing their marketing teams, not their reputations, and professors), and may cloud what you are researching for — just apply to all of them (which is my advice to individuals I assist. Also, Appalachian State University has a semi-new and free — or was — clinical psychology program. You could complete that, then obtain a Pastoral Counseling degree and you will be at the same place you are aiming for).

Each program is successful and awesome, or they would not be accredited by the American Psychological Association, and a few have accreditation from one or two other associations (hope you enjoy boards every year). But each does, however, have its own personality, or fingerprint. Some have better APA ratings based solely on some of the graduates hitting the secular-world psychological association jackpot and all their connections. There are many factors that come into play on who is the best, so listen to your astrology or God and you will be a psychological-world juggernaut.

Be strong.

Do not quit.

But, also be relevant

If you do not get accepted the first time, try again. Always apply to all six again, after you have worked on what they said to fix.

One of my references was the man who wrote the Wheaton College Department of Psychology, Psy.D webpage — forgot his name.

Share this with any friend who, or school that, may benefit from it. Or may not benefit, just click share and follow the instructions.

Joshua J. Lyon, CNP, QP

• Liberty University Alumnus | Wall Street Journal Young Professional | mental health QP| Military Professional (psychological consultation, academic advising, family matters, professional development, region demographic research, and advocacy)

References:

http://fuller.edu/clinicalpsyc/

https://www.georgefox.edu/psyd/index.html

https://www.apu.edu/bas/programs/psyd/

https://www.wheaton.edu/graduate-school/degrees/psyd-in-clinical-psychology/

https://www.biola.edu/academics/grad-education/rosemead

https://www.regent.edu/programs/#programs-doctoral — hit on “psychology & Counseling”

American Psychological Association Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation 750 First Street NE Washington, DC 20002–4242 (202) 336–5979