<p>I got into a PsyD Clinical Psychology program (won't name the school, but it's well-known and places people in internships/clinical settings about 95-100% of the time during school), but with PsyD programs the funding isn't there like it is with PhD programs where people often receive stipends, etc. </p>
<p>I only received the standard 8,500 unsubsidized loan and 12,500 subsidized loan. </p>
<p>Is it worth it to go $21,000 into debt PER YEAR to finish this 4 year program and become a licensed clinical psychologist? </p>
<p>Will I see a return on investment? When would I? </p>
<p>This will really be the only debt I have, and I think I can make it cover my cost of living, too...but with the economy the way it is right now, is it smart to go $84,000 into debt to get a doctorate degree?</p>
<p>I have a job that pays a decent salary out of college (not related to my Psy undergrad) - but I'm not sure it's what I want to do the rest of my life. I feel like I would LOVE clinical practice, but without any funding, $84,000 in loans scares me. </p>
<p>I've tried researching salaries for clinical psychologists to no avail - I think people will still go to therapy in spite of the economy because they won't neglect their health....so it's not a matter of worrying if their will be a need for psychologists in the clinical setting in the future, it's just wondering if I'd ever be able to pay down the $84,000 in debt and how long it would take?</p>
<p>One of the profs I've spoken to has similar research interests, so it's a very tempting offer. It's just hard to justify going $80000 into debt when I'm making more than half that per year just out of college in an unrelated field...unless the consensus here is that it will pay itself off in the long run and/or short run (which I'd obviously prefer).</p>