It is rewarding to be an agent of restoration of hope to those who are on the verge of losing it. So, seeing your mission accomplished leaves within you a sense of accomplishment. That is why we have painstakingly put this article on the Best Accredited PsyD Programs to ease your decision-making process.
Knowing that many things could contribute to why someone is led into depression, the job of being a psychologist calls for more zeal. Therefore, to be a part of this seeming rescue mission, I encourage you to read through this with every attention it requires.
Kindly go through the table of contents to have an overview.
Table of contents
- What Is A PsyD Program?
- What Are The Admission Requirements For A PsyD Program in Colorado?
- How Long Does It Take For The Completion Of A PsyD Program?
- PsyD Programs vs. Psychology PhD Programs
- Which Schools In Colorado Offer PsyD Programs?
- FAQ On Best Accredited PsyD Programs In Colorado
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
What Is A PsyD Program?
PsyD is an acronym that stands for Doctor of Psychology. It prepares you to accomplish the educational requirements for state licensure; when you obtain your license, you can be officially entitled to use the title ‘psychologist.’
This degree program was introduced for those whose interests are not in conducting research but rather in providing psychological remedies to the public.
What Are The Admission Requirements For A PsyD Program in Colorado?
The admission requirements for a PsyD program in Colorado may include the following:
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college
- A Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a mental health field from an accredited university – although sometimes an undergraduate degree may serve, a master’s degree might not be needed.
- GPA scores (differs)
- GRE scores (differs)
- Letters of recommendation
- Interviews, statement of purpose
- Fulfilled course prerequisites if applicable
How Long Does It Take For The Completion Of A PsyD Program?
The number of years required to complete a PsyD program in Colorado ranges from 4 to 6 years. Also, this PsyD program typically requires a one-year internship as part of the doctoral program and a dissertation based on clinical research.
There are different PsyD categories to suit your area of expertise, and you can do yourself a favor by going through them to find one which suits you.
- Applied Behavior Analysis Programs: This branch of psychology studies the science of human behavior; it also learns how to implement mediation as a potential intervention for individuals with autism;
- Clinical Psychology Programs: If you are interested in clinical psychology programs, you are most likely to study psychopathology, mental health issues, and diagnostic interventions
- Cognitive Psychology Programs: Here, you will study the mind, memory, attention, perception, reasoning, and language;
- Community Psychology Programs: Deals with how individuals relate to their communities and the cultural, economic, social, political, environmental, and international influences on behavior;
- Developmental Psychology Programs: This category of psychology studies the science of how humans develop and learn from childhood through their lifespan;
- Forensic Psychology Programs: This psychology program studies how legal theory, procedures, and law intersect with a clinical psychiatric diagnosis, clinical issues, practice, and ethics;
- Holistic Psychology Programs: Study psychology from an integrative perspective (mind/body/spirit);
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology Programs: Study human behavior in the workplace, career development, and human performance;
- Social and Personality Psychology Programs: Study human nature and what makes individuals different from one another;
- Sports Psychology Programs: Study sport-specific psychological assessment, optimal performance, and counseling techniques for athletes.
PsyD Programs vs. Psychology PhD Programs
Both the PsyD and the Ph.D. in psychology degrees function on the same level and have about the same status, but to possibly counsel clients and practice in a clinical setting, the PsyD program is ideal for you. However, it is solely your decision whether to obtain hands-on experience or thoroughly conduct research.
Students in both programs are tutored in the practical application of psychology teachings with patients. Still, they also receive in-depth education on research methods and statistics to produce new awareness. Ph.D. students almost need to produce and defend a thesis to prove their research ability, which isn’t always the case in PsyD programs.
Irrespective of which program chosen, you’ll be prepared to get your license and work in many of the same roles with someone who obtained a Ph.D.
Therefore, as a means to guide you, the best schools that offer Ph.D. degrees in psychology will also be listed below.
Read this: IS PSYCHOLOGY B.A. or B.S.?
Which Schools In Colorado Offer PsyD Programs?
The biggest academic feat for those who would practice professionally as a clinical, school, counseling, forensic, organizational, or any other type of psychologist you have to earn a doctoral degree; there are two types of doctoral degrees that will fit.
Nonetheless, you will be led into the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and Doctor of Philosophy in psychology (Ph.D.).
The ranking factors for these schools are accreditation and average cost of graduate attendance.
For an institution to be recognized, it must have earned accreditation from a nationally recognized body. Those who have achieved regional accreditation are given more significant consideration than those without any type of accreditation,
When choosing a graduate school, it is expedient to consider the average cost of attendance. Although some schools may have a more affordable tuition rate, the quality of education may not be equal to those that charge slightly more for the same PsyD program.
Therefore, the following schools have programs available for a PsyD:
#1 University of Denver (UD)
The University of Denver is one of Colorado’s first major higher institutions to offer PsyD programs. It kicked off in 1976. the university’s graduate school offers an array of specializations.
UD also offers a range of Ph.D. degrees in psychology, including developmental, school, and counseling psychology.
The annual cost of tuition for the PsyD program in this institution of higher learning is $43,164, and the programs are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
#2 Colorado State University
Located in Fort Collins at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains north of Denver, Colorado State University is considered among the nation’s leading public research institutions.
This Ph.D. program is fashioned to produce students capable of promoting psychology as a science and executing various counseling procedures for mediation.
Students in the Ph.D. programs (Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology, Ph.D. in Applied Social and Health Psychology, Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience, Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology) receive a broad knowledge of a solid theoretical basis in topics such as human development, learning, personality, assessment, physiology, social psychology, statistics, and neuropsychology.
Also, the annual tuition cost for in-state students is $4,958, while that of out-of-state students is $12,155. The following bodies also accredit its programs.
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Commission on Accreditation (COA)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
#3 University of Colorado at Boulder (UCB)
As the only university in the Rocky Mountain region to join the elite Association of American Universities, UCB is currently ranked as the 86th best college and 36th top public school in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report.
The Ph.D. programs offered by this school in Colorado are strongly based on proficiency versus psychopathology across the lifespan.
Designed to produce psychologists who seamlessly integrate theoretical, clinical, and resource information to improve quality of life, the Ph.D. programs involve rigorous coursework, research practicum, clinical practicum, dissertation hours, and a culminating full-time internship.
The following bodies are those responsible for accrediting these Ph.D. programs.
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Also, read this: 15 Best Colleges For Psychology Undergraduate Programs In 2024
#4 University of Colorado At Colorado Springs (UCCS)
This institution is an accessible, high-quality, and efficient university with much to offer. Currently enrolled are 8,893 undergraduate students, a record high enrollment for UCCS, and 1,721 graduate students.
#5 University of Northern Colorado Ph.D. In Counselling Psychology
Accredited by the APA since 1981, the University of Northern Colorado offers one of Colorado’s few Ph.D. in Psychology degrees. Nearly 65 students have obtained their degrees, and their licensure rate in school psychology is 98%.
The annual cost of tuition for this program is $25,270 for in-state students and $47,804 for out-of-state students.
#6 North Central University (NCU)
Founded in 1996, NCU offers a Ph.D. in General Psychology, emphasizing research. This program equips you to work in various places where you can improve in theoretical, research, and applied psychology.
Furthermore, this specialization was instituted to allow the best course adaptability.
This school is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
#7 Capella University
The Ph.D. and PsyD programs in Colorado are offered with more areas of specialization. This is to enable you to choose your area of calling wisely.
Furthermore, the cost of tuition for each of the programs varies. Additionally, it would help to ask what it will cost you before applying for it.
The Higher Learning Commission accredits Capella University.
FAQ On Best Accredited PsyD Programs In Colorado
The average annual salary ranges from $62,405 to $97,073.
As much as a PsyD degree program has more slots for entry than a Ph.D., it still doesn’t mean it is effortless to get into.
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college
A Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a mental health field from an accredited university – although sometimes an undergraduate degree may serve, a master’s degree might not be needed.GPA scores (differs)
GRE scores (differs)
Letters of recommendation
Interviews, statement of purpose
Fulfilled course prerequisites if applicable
Conclusion
This article has your satisfaction at heart and has been broadened to the Ph.D. programs. This is to enable you to channel your focus rightly.
References
Recommendations
- How To Get A Ph.D. In Educational Psychology Online
- 10 Best Forensic Psychology Schools in the World
- 10 Best Online Degrees in Educational Psychology
- How can I get a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology?
- Best Accredited PSYD Programs in California
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