Baylor University Psy.D. Psychology Review

Baylor University’s Psy.D. program first earned APA accreditation in the late 1970s, and since then, the program has remained one of the most highly regarded Psy.D. programs in the nation. What are the biggest benefits and drawbacks for prospective students interested in earning their Doctor of Psychology degree from Baylor, the largest Baptist university in the world?

Learn more about what sets the program apart and other information learners should know before deciding where to apply.

About the Program

Check out the vital statistics about Baylor University’s Psy.D. program before diving into what’s great (and not-so-great) about getting a degree here.

Basics

• Institution type: Private, not-for-profit
• Main campus: Waco, Texas
• Accreditation: APA
• First year of program: 1976

Tuition and fees

• Full-time, in-state tuition: $47,304
• Full-time, out-of-state tuition: $47,304
• Per credit-hour tuition for part-time students: NA
• Institution fees: $5,068

Student outcomes

• Median years to completion: 5 (2009-2019)
• Percentage completing in <5 years: 0% (2018-19)
• Percentage completing in 7+ years: 0% (2018-19)
• Degrees conferred, 2010-2020: 53
• Percentage of students obtaining internships: 100%
• Percentage of graduates earning professional licensure: 100%

Degrees & requirements

• Psy.D. degrees offered: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
• Non-Psy.D. degrees offered: D. in Psychology
• Program length: Five years total

Admissions

• Application method: Online
• Application fee: $50
• Admission requirements: Transcripts from all schools attended, even dual-credit high school courses; three letters of reference; GRE score within the past five years; 12 hours of psychology coursework; GPA of at least 2.7 and 3.0 within major; on-campus interview

Biggest Pros

What are the most effective selling points about Baylor’s Psy.D. program that students should consider before making a decision about where to pursue their education?

Small cohort

A deliberately small program allows students to receive one-on-one interaction and supervision from Baylor’s world-class faculty, as well as to develop deep professional connections with their classmates, who will someday become colleagues. Only about 30 students are enrolled in the program at any given time, and only about six new learners are admitted each year.

Tuition remission

If you’re one of the lucky half-dozen or so to enroll in the program, the university provides full tuition remission, as well as a stipend ranging from $11,000 to $18,000, depending on student achievement. Fourth-year Baylor Psy.D. students will participate in clinical research labs while they complete their dissertations, and those in good standing will earn a stipend of $19,000.

Research involvement

In addition to fourth-year students’ work in a clinical lab setting, from the first day they begin their training, students will become intimately involved in research work with one of the many research programs at Baylor, learning how to design new studies, conduct research and read results.

Biggest Cons

Let’s take a look at the aspects of Baylor’s Psy.D. program that make the university less-than-ideal for many students.

Competition

With only six or seven slots available during a given year, the competition is intense. While the result, small class sizes, is good, few students who apply will even get a chance for an interview, let alone be accepted to the program. That level of competition means Baylor is incredibly selective, and most students won’t make the cut.

Rigid structure

As a five-year program that includes three intense years of coursework, followed by a year of clinical research and then a year for an APA-accredited internship, students must keep up with a huge amount of work in order to remain in good standing and on track with their classmates. This means that personal matters, including jobs and, maybe, families, may be pushed to the back-burner.

Limited degree options

There’s no doubt that for the students who get the chance, earning a Psy.D. from Baylor signifies an incredibly achievement in the study of clinical psychology, but the institution offers only that area of concentration for Psy.D., providing a very general education. For many students, the vast array of Psy.D. focus options at other institutions will be a better fit.

The Bottom Line

No two students are the same, and everybody’s situation is unique. So how do you know if Baylor’s Psy.D. program is right for you? This chart might help.

Conclusion

As one of the most selective Doctor of Psychology programs in the country, Baylor will likely be top of mind for many overachieving students. A Baylor Psy.D. is a tough get, but for the lucky few who are able to make the cut, there’s no doubt the training they’ll receive will prepare them exceptionally well for clinical psychology work.

This Psy.D program made our Editors’ Choice Best Accredited Psy.D. Programs for 2020.

Additional Resources

• Online Application Home
• Student Outcomes and Other Data
• Psy.D. Program FAQs
• Degree Requirements
• Admissions