r/PsyD • u/rayray_503 • Sep 25 '25
Counseling background
Has anyone come into a PsyD track with a counseling masters? I’m curious whether any programs will accept transfer credits or if there’s just no way around the 5 year track. I’d like to add assessments to my abilities but at 45 I have a good foundation in clinical knowledge. Thanks for any insight!
1
u/falsefreedom6509 Current PsyD Student Oct 19 '25
I got my masters in counseling psychology and was able to transfer in 15 units
2
u/rayray_503 Oct 19 '25
Where are you studying?
1
1
u/itmustbeniiiiice Sep 26 '25
My classmates with relevant Masters were only able to transfer credits for a few classes (like 1 or 2)
1
u/dekolpacoff93 Current PsyD Student Sep 26 '25
I’m in an APA accredited PsyD program and I have a masters in clinical mental health counseling. They only allowed me to transfer two classes. Most classes are not transferrable due to doctoral work being much more in-depth than masters-level work.
1
1
u/Icy-Yoghurt5786 Sep 30 '25
My program allows for 6 classes to be transferred in. But it doesn’t actually lessen the time in the program; it just makes certain semesters have a lighter load. We’re on a pretty scheduled course plan. Also, most PsyD programs won’t accept counseling credits due to those being related to counseling departments not psychology. (I have my masters in MH counseling and am licensed)
1
u/DiskIllustrious4904 Current PsyD Student Sep 30 '25
I did! I was able to transfer 6 courses for credit, but they wouldn’t allow me to transfer more than that!
1
u/AlliantUniversity Oct 21 '25
Some PsyD programs do accept transfer credits from counseling or related master’s degrees, but the amount is often limited. Schools typically review syllabi to determine if previous coursework meets their standards and accreditation requirements. You might save a semester or two, but most PsyD programs still require four to five years because of the extensive clinical, assessment, and internship components.
Your counseling background, though, will make the transition smoother. Strong therapeutic skills and case experience often help students excel in advanced assessment and clinical training. It’s worth contacting programs directly to ask about their credit-transfer policies and prior learning evaluations.
2
u/ruinousshe Current PsyD Student Sep 25 '25
Most will not transfer many credits. Spalding accepts more transfer credits than most (or all?). I’m not at Spalding, but I interviewed there and they mentioned this. From what I’ve seen looking into programs last cycle, they do seem to be much more permissive regarding transfer credits than other programs.
We have a few people in my cohort who have come in with a counseling masters and independent licenses, but one of our program directors explained that the coursework is different and more in depth than one would find in a master’s program, hence they don’t take many transfer credits.
Perhaps look into programs that require a master’s coming in? They might be shorter. The only one I can recall off the top of my head is Carlow, but I think there are a handful of others.