Ashford University Psy.D. Psychology Review
Ashford University’s new Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program is unusual among other Psy.D. programs across the country in one huge way — the degree can be completed entirely online. While this program may not be ideal for some students, it’s exactly perfect for others.
Let’s take a look at what prospective students need to know about Ashford’s online Psy.D. Please note that because this degree started in 2018, no cohort has completed the program yet.
About the Program
Let’s take a look at the vital statistics about the Ashford Psy.D.:
Basics
- Institution type: Private, for-profit
- Main campus: San Diego, California
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Tuition and fees
- Total expected tuition cost: $76,404
Degrees & requirements
- Psy.D. degrees offered: PsyD in Clinical Psychology
- Number of credit hours required: 62
- In-residence workshops required: 3 (non-credit)
- Dissertation required? Yes, unless student chooses to substitute applied doctoral project
Admissions
- Application method: Online
- Admission requirements: Master’s degree with GPA of at least 3.0 or another doctoral degree, English-proficiency test results for international students,
Biggest Pros
What factors make Ashford University’s Psy.D. an attractive option for students?
Diverse specializations
While it’s a new program, as we mentioned, we know that the Ashford Psy.D. will allow students to choose from one of the broadest range of specializations among all Psy.D. programs. At Ashford, Psy.D. specializations are available in the following areas:
- Criminology and justice studies
- Educational leadership
- Health and wellness
- Industrial-organizational
- Mediation and conflict resolution
- Sports
Online format
With the exception of three non-credit workshops students must complete in person, all coursework for the Ashford Psy.D. is done online, which opens the degree up to students who live outside the San Diego area. Support is available around the clock, which allows students to complete coursework at convenient times outside of class periods.
Optional dissertation
Students who choose can complete a dissertation project instead of the standard applied doctoral capstone project, which allows them to conduct in-depth research and scholarship into an area they have interest in.
Biggest Cons
What aspects of Ashford’s Psy.D. program are less-than-appealing for most students?
Accreditation
Ashford’s Psy.D. is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which means it meets rigorous academic standards. But without accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA), students who are hoping to pursue a professional psychologist license after they complete their doctorate may encounter roadblocks.
Lack of internship
Similar to the absence of APA accreditation, the lack of an internship could be a big issue for students who plan to become licensed psychologists after earning their Psy.D. In every state, applicants for licensure must complete at least about 1,500 hours of supervised professional experience, and in many states, some professional experience must come during a doctoral program. So prospective students planning to earn licensure should be sure to find out what’s required in their state.
The Bottom Line
So how can you decide if this program is right for you? While every learner’s needs and journey are unique, here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide whether the Ashford University Psy.D. is right for you.
| Is the Ashford University Psy.D. Program Right For Me? | ||
| Need | Yes | No |
| I need to take my classes online | x | |
| I’m interested in clinical psychology | x | |
| I want to focus on a particular population group | x | |
| I’m interested in applied psychology | x | |
| I’m interested in school psychology | x | |
| I’m interested in industrial-organizational psychology | x | |
| I have a very limited budget for a Psy.D. program | x | |
| A well-established program is important to me | x | |
| I want to work in a real-world mental health clinic | x | |
| I want to contribute to cutting-edge research projects | x | |
| I don’t want to take the GRE | x | |
| * Students with legal, medical or Ph.D. degrees don’t need to submit a GRE score | ||
Conclusion
The unusual format of Ashford’s new Psy.D. program, in addition to the wide range of specializations, should make it an attractive option for students as they become more aware of the program. But students who wish to seek professional psychologist licensure would be well-advised to do their homework before applying so that they can be sure this degree will satisfy requirements in the states where they plan to practice.