Why Saybrook Doesn't Offer a PsyD Degree:
Commitment to a Humanistic Tradition
As an institution that values the whole person – mind, body, spirit – and whose entire history and pedagogy is grounded in the humanistic tradition, we firmly believe that we cannot achieve APA accreditation successfully and hold fast to our core concepts. To attempt to do so would severely compromise our integrity as a humanistic institution. If you share our commitment to humanism, we believe that you will be happier with our other PhD and MA/MFT-PCC clinical career alternatives - alternatives that do not require you to compromise your ideals in pursuit of a degree.
Over the past several years, based on thorough research, due diligence, and conversations with APA leaders, accreditors, expert APA consultants, and chairs of PsyD programs at other institutions, it became increasingly apparent that it would not be possible for Saybrook's PsyD program to meet the increasingly rigid curricular and pedagogical requirements mandated for APA accreditation. Given that conclusion, on February 16, 2012, Saybrook reluctantly determined that it could no longer offer the PsyD program in good conscience. While we no longer accept applications for a PsyD degree, we urge you to explore other degree programs in the School of Clinical Psychology that lead to licensure.
History of the PsyD program at Saybrook
In 2008 Saybrook began recruiting its first PsyD class for the fall 2009 semester. As part of that process we announced our intention to seek accreditation for the program by the American Psychological Association (APA) when we believed we had achieved all of the requirements necessary for a successful application. We subsequently recruited and enrolled three additional PsyD classes with the continued intent to seek APA accreditation. We cited as a distinctive feature of our program an integrative humanistic approach, grounded in the traditions of humanistic, existential, and transpersonal psychology, in contemporary thought and scientific research.
At this point, we are "teaching out" these PsyD classes or permitting PsyD students to transfer their credits to our other clinical programs. Almost all of our PsyD students accepted one of these alternatives.
Better Alternatives
We encourage you to consider these programs as well. The curriculum and pedagogy of our clinical programs remain aligned with our principles and values as an institution. Our PhD in Clinical Psychology and MA/MFT-PCC hybrid programs will prepare you for licensure, as will the residential MA in Counseling in Seattle.
If you need additional information or have questions about which degree to seek instead of PsyD, please contact Shawn Rubin, Chair of the School of Clinical Psychology, srubin@saybrook.edu, 415.323.5690.
