George Fox University Psy.D. Psychology Review
George Fox University, a Christian college in Oregon, is one of only a handful of Christian colleges and universities to have earned accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) for its Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program.
Let’s take a look at what students in Oregon and around the country need to know to decide if the program might be an option for their educational pursuits.
About the Program
Here’s a look at some basic facts and figures about George Fox University and its Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology:
Basics
- Institution type: Private, not-for-profit
- Main campus: Newberg, Oregon
- Accreditation: APA
- First year of program: 1998
Tuition and fees
- Full-time, in-state tuition: $29,440
- Full-time, out-of-state tuition: $29,440
- Per credit-hour tuition for part-time students: $984
- Institution fees: $400
Student outcomes
- Median years to completion: 5 (2018-19)
- Percentage completing in <5 years: 0% (2009-2019)
- Percentage completing in 7+ years: 1% (2009-2019)
- Degrees conferred, 2009-2019: 202
- Percentage of students obtaining internships: 100% (2018-19)
- Percentage of graduates earning professional licensure: 92% (2009-2019)
Degrees & requirements
- Psy.D. degrees offered: PsyD in Clinical Psychology
- Non-Psy.D. degrees offered: None
- Number of credit hours required: 125
Admissions
- Application method: Online
- Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree with at least 3.0 GPA, at least 18 semester hours in psychology, GRE score (minimum unpublished)
- Admissions office address: 414 N. Meridian St. #V104, Newberg, OR 97132
Biggest Pros
What are the biggest points that work in the favor of students considering this program?
Specialization options
The George Fox Psy.D. includes three possible specialization areas — primary care, child and adolescent, and psychological and neuropsychological assessment — that allow students to focus on exciting and emerging areas of study in the field.
APA accreditation
George Fox’s Psy.D. program has been accredited by the APA since 1998, meaning that it will meet the educational requirements for professional licensure in the states. Particularly for students who intend to become professional psychologists, APA accreditation may well be a deal-breaker.
Faith integration
For Christian students, George Fox University’s Psy.D. is just one of a handful of Christian Psy.D. programs accredited by the APA, allowing them to center their faith tradition while still obtaining an APA-approved degree.
Cost
Psy.D. programs are notoriously expensive, and to be sure, the George Fox Psy.D. isn’t exactly cheap. But the annual cost is definitely on the lower end of the scale when compared to other Psy.D. programs across the country.
Biggest Cons
What issues may lead students to knock some points off the George Fox Psy.D. program when they’re making their decisions?
Few population focus options
While it’s good that the program does have some specialty areas, there’s only one population group with a special focus, children and adolescents. Many other programs include more diverse potential population groups students can focus their attention on.
No online coursework
The program can only be completed full time and in person at the Oregon campus, which means it’s a non-starter for students who can’t relocate to the area or don’t already live there.
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 George Fox University Psy.D. program is right for you.
| Is the George Fox 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 | |
Conclusion
George Fox University’s Psy.D. earning APA accreditation makes it quite unusual among Psy.D. degrees offered at Christian institutions, and the robust focus on research and clinical training may be appropriate even for non-Christian students.