Pepperdine University: My Experience (Was It Worth It?) │Masters in Clinical Psychology

[@ShantiPiper.]

Great video! Super helpful. I was starting my application for this same program.

[@keikok5187]

Thank you so much for making this video! I really appreciate you sharing your experience. 🤗

[@jessicapartida6239]

very helpful thanks good luck with grad school queen

[@michaelastankova3585]

Hi, thank you for this great video with a lot of informations! May I also ask, was it hard? I mean the courses, exams, homeworks, ... Was there a lot of studying? xx

[@denaelynn_]

@@michaelastankova3585 there were a couple classes like research or statistics that are somewhat more difficult. But that’s also because those subjects are not really an interest of mine. But most of the other classes are fairly easy (especially if you have a background in psych already) but definitely very time consuming!! Lots of busy work, I probably spent on average 30 hours per week doing school work.

[@michaelastankova3585]

@@denaelynn_ thank you so much!!

[@denaelynn_]

@@michaelastankova3585 in the US they make it particularly difficult for counselors honestly. After graduating you can apply to take the first counseling exam, if you pass that you can apply for an associates licensure. Then you have to work under a supervisor for 3000 hours. After you achieve that you have to apply and pass another exam before you can be independently licensed. Licensure is also different state by state so let’s say you get licensed in the state of California, it doesn’t mean you will automatically have a counseling license in every other US state (at least that’s how it currently stands). So yeah, honestly, it’s quite a long strenuous process. 😖

[@michaelastankova3585]

@@denaelynn_ oh boy! that's crazy. thank you again for very helpful informations!! I really appreciate it

[@denaelynn_]

@@michaelastankova3585 you are so sweet!! Thank you! Good luck on your endeavors!💗

[@anaflores7048]

Thank you for this

[@ShikataGaNai100]

Me: Pepperdine MA, PsyD. Great, albeit expensive, experience for me. Retired after 18 years as a LPC, LMFT, Psychological Assistant, and Psychologist. Never had a problem getting licensed in ANY state. Dr. Elaine Mura was my major advisor...and she was great, but the more I stayed away from Seaver, the happier I was. For example, Dennis Lowe was the worst teacher I have ever had in my several graduate degree programs. I also have an MPA degree. LOL Word to the wise, at Seaver, if you aren't Church of Christ, you will be 2nd class on-campus. Is it worth it? NO! CSPP is a much better option. BTW, my best year shrinking heads in private practice was $85K. The era of private practice is OVER. You will end up working for an agency.

[@savannahhealy4295]

First off, thank you for all the information you have provided in your videos. It has been very helpful. Were there other online programs you considered and if so which ones do you believe would have maybe also been a good fit?

[@denaelynn_]

Thank you! I also considered California Southern Univeristy, Chicago Professional School of Psychology, and Grand Canyon University. I also briefly looked into Northwestern Univeristy, Univeristy of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Walden University. Glad you have found the videos helpful, let me know if you have anymore questions!

[@boriskodjoe8704]

Such an insightful video, thank you! My question is, will your degree specify that you got it through an online program?

[@denaelynn_]

Honestly, I am not sure. I don’t believe so but as I have started interviewing for jobs it never seems to be an issue!

[@Makeup-coffee-bags]

Hi, thank you for the helpful video. I was curious if you were able to transfer over any credits for the foundation courses from your undergrad?

[@denaelynn_]

Yes! 3 of my courses from undergrad transferred so I got those classes waved.

[@Makeup-coffee-bags]

That’s great. I read on the program website that you can only transfer credits from undergrad if it has been within the last 7 years. Was that the case for you? Thanks again and I wish you much success!

[@denaelynn_]

@@Makeup-coffee-bags I am not sure as I went into grad school right after I finished undergrad. Thank you!

[@CayLily]

We’re you able to get a doctorate in psychology?

[@denaelynn_]

I could if I had wanted to, but that’s definitely not the right path for me. Too much schooling! 😂

[@ThomasFromTN]

Given how expensive Pepperdine is - and that 1770 dollar PER CREDIT cost.. when I saw that I had to double-check to make sure I wasn't reading it incorrectly - I'm honestly not sure how it is that the school is #1 and #3 ranked insofar as ROI or return on investment when compared to other schools (that while other schools especially online schools may not have near as robust placement programs for students and graduates what they do have can be sometimes less than half the cost.) I'm not necessarily relating to whether or not the school is a good school what I'm confining my question to is how the cost for attendance versus projected earnings for the profession squares with such a high ROI ranking. Of course...being a statistics person one thing I know is that rankings or percentages are relative... ranking #1 can carry very different resonance or implication depending on context. Also...so happens I've lived in both Illinois and California in other words the Midwest and the West Coast. I wouldn't necessarily delineate one being better than the other but definitely different. Just my two cents worth. FWIW - if you funded your education through government loans you likely have talked to the school about doing consolidation of your loans undergraduate and graduate combined through an income-based repayment schedule... basically no matter how much loan balance you have, how much you have to pay per month is contingent on what your annual income is after reasonable allowances by the government for expenses. If they haven't talked to you about it you should contact them and have them go over what that procedure for applying for a consolidation loan after graduation would be. (I persistently preach to people - at all costs avoid private loans even if the terms or interest rates seem more favorable than the government loans. Private loans cannot be combined with government loans into an income-based consolidation payment schedule. By the way Graduate Plus Loans which you may or may not have are considered government loans not private loans so long as the loan was obtained through a government recognized Federal Loan servicer - therefore Grad Plus Loans can be grouped with federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans into a single income-based consolidated loan.) Good luck in your future career. I appreciated sharing your experiences and insights. Thoughtful objective honest and earnest... cannot ask for more than that.

[@denaelynn_]

@@ThomasFromTN all very helpful information, thank you!!

[@ThomasFromTN]

@@denaelynn_ by the way I didn't randomly chance upon your video regarding Pepperdine's online program looking for an opportunity to wax philosophically. So happens a friend of mine was just accepted to their online graduate program in psychology where we have been in conversations about the very things you discussed in your video here and elsewhere. I've forwarded to her a link to your video because I thought you covered some very important points in your messaging. I've been pretty careful with her not to insinuate one way or the other where I fell on this question of whether Pepperdine is the right choice, because everyone's got to answer that for themself. But I did feel you covered some very specifically interesting points about a very specific school and almost exactly the same program. And I know she would appreciate your thoughts

[@aashnalinn7089]

Are you doing mft or lpc

[@denaelynn_]

LPC. This program does not qualify for MFT in Illinois.

[@AshCloud603]

Are you going to apply for a PhD in clinical psychology after your masters?

[@denaelynn_]

Personally for me probably not. I have thought about it, but it may be a little too much school for me! 🤣

[@rosekennedy92]

I could sell my house and my car, and it still wouldn’t be enough to pay for that tuition 🙁

[@denaelynn_]

Yepp I’m feeling that burden of my decision even afterwards 😭

[@rosekennedy92]

I wish you well and pray you’ll find a position that you enjoy that also accelerates your ability to pay off debt. 💪🏻 ☀️

[@denaelynn_]

@@rosekennedy92 thank you so much!!

[@chlochlo8207]

Holy hell 120,000 my major is psychology but I’m not going here if it’s that expensive now after aid is $80k

[@denaelynn_]

Yes I agree it’s unreasonably high 😭

[@zaccarrah6159]

Do they associate their classes with religion/church stuff?

[@denaelynn_]

Not really. Some professors will share their beliefs but other than that no.

[@emilygumperz1549]

Hi! I am currently applying. I don't have research/formal clinical experience but I have a good GPA and a psychology degree with work and relevant volunteer experiences. Do you think this is enough for acceptance? Is clinical experience required when I apply?

[@denaelynn_]

I am definitely not an expert on university acceptance! But having a good educational background and then having other experiences (such as volunteering) I think would be very beneficial. Pull what you learned/what you’ll take into this career from those experiences when you write your personal statement!

[@dhaviationfanatic99]

I’m thinking about getting my masters in clinical psychology. I prefer to do it online and are there live meetings? Or you’re just on your own pace? I also want to become a therapist once I finish

[@denaelynn_]

It depends on the program whether or not you will have live sessions. My program does have 2 hour live sessions once a week per class. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions and good luck on your journey!

[@dhaviationfanatic99]

@@denaelynn_ thanks for the tip! And thank you for wishing me luck. Another question, how long does it take to get your masters? I heard you take a lot less classes than when you get your bachelor’s?

[@denaelynn_]

@@dhaviationfanatic99 again it depends on the program. I am on a slightly accelerated program so for me it’s taking 27 months. But I think for most people it takes between 2-3 years if you are taking full time classes.

[@lisa.marie.parker]

Thank you so much for this valuable information. I’m curious what your second and third choice for schools would be now that you know what you know?

[@dhaviationfanatic99]

@@lisa.marie.parker ASU does online MA In Psychology. I’m still doing more research

[@AshCloud603]

What type of job can you get with a masters in psychology?

[@denaelynn_]

A masters in psychology is different from a masters in clinical psychology. I am not quite sure what job you would get with a masters in psychology because I have not looked into it. But a masters in clinical psychology offers a practicum or internship opportunity which leads to getting licensed as a counselor or therapist. Hope this helps!

[@Lulu4love]

So what schools with the same benefits would you recommend?

[@denaelynn_]

To be honest, I am not really sure because I haven’t had experiences at any other schools. But when applying I also considered California Southern Univeristy, Chicago Professional School of Psychology, and Grand Canyon University.

[@shilohtheghostgod320]

@@denaelynn_was it hard to narrow it down to those? Seems hard to find anything regarding LMFT online programs online . Almost all the websites require to give personal information just to get any information.

[@denaelynn_]

@@shilohtheghostgod320 yeah it was hard for me as well. there are very few online programs. Those are the major ones I would recommend from the information I have

[@shilohtheghostgod320]

@@denaelynn_ thanks a lot. I did end up doing research on the schools based off your recommendation alone. However, they either seemed too expensive (over 100k) or had a negative stigma attached to them in the field. Often referred to as diploma mills. Pepperdine has a great rep, however, is definitely out of my budget at the moment. I might end up Switching to MSW. Though I dislike that every semester requires in person practicum work :/

[@denaelynn_]

@@shilohtheghostgod320 yeah I totally get that. It’s depends on the state you live in, but I will say it is hard to find any site that will let you do practicum 100% virtually, so that would most likely be a problem you ran into in MFT/LPC programs as well

[@labartsmedia4403]

Im in Chicago considering the same program at Pepperdine. Did you relocate? Why or why not? If not, would you?

[@denaelynn_]

No I’m still in Chicago! I have things that hold me to this area for the time being such as my family and my boyfriends job. I would maybe consider moving in the future but it would be dependent on a lot of things.

[@itsme_leila]

I’m not sure if you touched on it and if you did, I’m sorry. Were your classes synchronous?

[@denaelynn_]

We do have synchronous classes once per week per class but parts of the class work is asynchronous

[@paola22729]

Is Pepperdine considered a degree mill school ?

[@denaelynn_]

Tbh I’m not sure what that means? 😂

[@maC2much459]

It is not considered a “degree mill.”

[@arturof9875]

I’m glad she realized it’s not worth it. For anyone reading this comment who is considering a master’s in counseling but can’t afford “prestige” universities, remember that the most important factors are CACREP accreditation and state licensure approval. PEPPERDINE is not CACREP accredited, which is a significant drawback given its high cost. Make sure your program is accredited and has a strong placement team for finding you a practicum. The license you get from an accredited program is what truly matters, not the name of the school.

[@denaelynn_]

Pepperdine or at least the program I did was CACREP accredited. I don’t know the status now, but it was at the time I was enrolled. Other than that, agree with your comment 💯

[@arturof9875]

@@denaelynn_ Thank you for sharing!From my research and current information, it appears that Pepperdine’s Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program is not currently CACREP accredited. I forgot Accreditation status can change, so it’s always a good idea for prospective students to verify the current status with the university directly.

[@denaelynn_]

@@arturof9875 yes agreed!!