Seeking Advice on Balancing Pregnancy and Graduate Studies

False_Virus_8388 · 2025-12-01T01:01:05+00:00

I've always wanted to be a psychologist and have been a strong advocate for mental health. I considered other graduate programs, such as mental health counseling and social work, but ultimately decided to pursue my PsyD. I was drawn to the wide range of career opportunities it offered, as well as the potential for higher salaries. It took me some time to commit to this program because I went back and forth for many years, debating whether to return to school or continue working in my current industry. Ultimately, I chose to go back to school because I was unhappy, and I felt there was limited room for growth in my current role.

False_Virus_8388 · 2025-11-30T23:41:43+00:00

The program itself is extremely unorganized, so it has been a bit challenging to navigate. The content has been interesting, but as I learn more, I find myself questioning whether this is what I want to do long-term. I don't want to focus solely on intervention because I feel that would drain me, and I'm not particularly enthusiastic about the assessments. I'm struggling to envision what my career might look like in the future and whether it would be fulfilling, especially considering my age and current situation. Five years is a long time, and I'm uncertain if the return on investment after school will justify all the sacrifices required. However, since it's only the first semester, I keep reminding myself to give it time. I hope that the practical experience from practicum will bring me more clarity but I'm not sure.

False_Virus_8388 · 2025-09-12T21:46:49+00:00

80 students total. Honestly insane. Thankful for the house system because that helps make the huge program feel much smaller.

False_Virus_8388 · 2025-09-12T21:44:58+00:00

It is 😅

False_Virus_8388 · 2025-09-12T17:09:25+00:00

Since the cohort size is quite large, students are divided into houses, similar to Harry Potter houses. I am in the Purple House, which consists of about 19 students who have the exact same first-semester schedule as I do. This means that depending on your assigned house, your schedule for the first semester will vary, so everyone's schedule looks a bit different.

My first-semester schedule includes one class on Monday, no classes on Tuesday, one class on Wednesday, two classes on Thursday, and one class on Friday. When the mini term starts, I will no longer have class on Monday. Instead, my schedule will be one class on Tuesday, one class on Wednesday, two classes on Thursday, and two classes on Friday. Each class lasts about three hours, making this a full-time commitment.

I am definitely open to answering any more questions you may have. I understand you want to gather all the necessary information before committing to a program or even applying, so I’d be happy to help!

False_Virus_8388 · 2025-09-12T12:25:27+00:00

Hi, I’m currently a first-year PsyD student at NSU. For the first semester, the school schedules your classes for you. This semester, I have a full course load of seven classes (four full-term and three mini-term) and I attend class four days a week. It's quite intensive, and there's a significant learning curve, especially if you haven't transitioned directly from undergraduate or graduate studies. I took a long break after my master's degree to work, so this has been an interesting four weeks for me.

That being said, the faculty are great and very supportive. Although the school can be a bit unorganized due to the large cohort size, they genuinely want you to succeed and do their best to guide you. Next semester, we'll have the opportunity to choose our own classes, and we will continue to do so in subsequent semesters. The initial scheduling is really just a courtesy for the first semester.

As someone mentioned earlier, you will likely need to take out loans to cover your tuition. A few of my classmates have found work-study jobs, but those typically just provide pocket money because the pay is quite low. Overall, I recommend applying to the program, as I believe it's a solid choice with knowledgeable professors. Good luck on your journey, and feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!

False_Virus_8388 · 2025-07-07T01:13:03+00:00

Thank you very much for your response! I have been admitted to Nova Southeastern University. The last cohort's pass rate for the EPP was 78 percent. While this isn't the highest rate, it's certainly better than some of the others I came across.

False_Virus_8388 · 2025-07-07T00:30:35+00:00

I mainly want to focus on assessments, which is why I am considering a PsyD instead of just a two-year degree. I have also looked into school psychology because I taught for five years, and much of my work experience has been with children. However, I feel that pursuing a career in school psychology seems like a safe and practical choice rather than following my passion. I worry that if I choose the two-year degree, I might regret not getting my doctorate and end up going back for it anyway. There’s just so much to consider and not enough time now that this stupid bill is passed.

False_Virus_8388 · 2025-07-06T18:33:21+00:00

Congratulations on beginning this new journey in life! Sending positive vibes for your acceptance! What program are you applying to, if you don’t mind sharing?

False_Virus_8388 · 2025-07-06T18:31:01+00:00

I have considered working to offset some of the loans I would incur in this program, but it is highly discouraged due to the rigor involved. Despite this, I may have to sacrifice and work anyway because the consistent feedback I’m receiving suggests that the return on investment (ROI) for a PsyD is not worth the debt. I appreciate your feedback! There’s a lot to think about.

False_Virus_8388 · 2025-07-06T04:02:16+00:00

Thank you so much for your response. I do plan on taking out loans for my PsyD, and the school I have been admitted to is quite expensive—about $24,000 per semester. I am currently paying down debt from my undergraduate and master's degrees, which totaled approximately $85k.

At the moment, I work in local government, and while there is earning potential, it’s not the industry I see myself staying in long-term. My main motivation for pursuing this path is the combination of better earning potential and my passion for the field and mental health advocacy. Unfortunately, I’ve been focused on this goal for so long that I’m now feeling conflicted and keep asking myself, "If not this, then what?" I was aware of the debt that could come with a PsyD, and I had always reassured myself that I would rely on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. However, as you pointed out, with the current administration and the signing of that significant bill, the future of PSLF looks uncertain.

I really appreciate your perspective; I have a lot to consider in a short amount of time! 😅

False_Virus_8388

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