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1. WAS THE PROGRAM NAME OFFICIALLY CHANGED FROM PGSP-STANFORD TO PAU-STANFORD?
Yes! In 2009, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology (PGSP) was re-incorporated as Palo Alto University (PAU). At that time, we chose to retain the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium at Palo Alto University name. However, after fifteen years, we determined that a change was needed to better reflect the two institutional partners in the Consortium – PAU and Stanford – and to streamline communication. Beginning in the 2024-25 academic year, the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium was renamed the PAU- Stanford PsyD Consortium. Importantly, this name change has not impacted any other aspect of the Consortium, including financial support, leadership, or faculty. There have been no contractual changes to the Consortial Agreement. This change is solely a rebranding effort to ensure a clear and consistent identity for PAU across all of its programs.
2. HOW DO CONSORTIUM STUDENTS IDENTIFY THEMSELVES, GIVEN THE CONSORTIAL NATURE OF THE PROGRAM?
Consortium students are full-time, registered PAU students who engage in a program that is 50% Stanford-affiliated. Within both the community and the field of psychology, students typically identify as PAU-Stanford PsyD students.
3. HOW DOES THE PAU-STANFORD PSYD DIPLOMA APPEAR? The degree is conferred by Palo Alto University. At the top of the diploma, the title "PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium" is arched. Below this, the phrase reads, "The Board of Trustees of Palo Alto University, on the nomination of the faculty, has conferred upon [graduate name] the degree of Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology." Beneath this is the degree date, the PAU seal, and the signatures of two Consortium Oversight Committee members: the PAU President and the Stanford Psychiatry Department Chairperson.
4. WHEN WILL I GET MY ADVISOR ASSIGNMENT?
The DCT will send out an advisor preference survey in August. This survey will ask you to rank order a list of available advisors. You will find out who you are paired with at Orientation.
5. WHEN DO I GET MY STUDENT ID?
Student IDs for both schools will be distributed at Orientation. You will receive information via email about forms to complete.
6. WHEN DO I GET MY STANFORD EMAIL?
SUNet IDs will be issued and sponsored beginning September 1 ("full" sponsorship - for description of available services, see link). Emails will be sent to you in early September with instructions on how to create an SUNet ID. If you had a previous SUNet ID please let us know.
https://itservices.stanford.edu/service/accounts/sunetids
7. WHERE DO I GET HOUSING INFORMATION?
Unfortunately, there are no housing benefits available from either school at this time. PAU does not have on-campus housing. Many PAU students live in towns that are near to the main campus (Palo Alto) or the PAU Clinics (Mountain View). These towns include Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View, Redwood City, Burlingame, San Mateo, San Carlos, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale. Some students live in San Francisco, which is a 45-60 minute drive away. If you are a new student is looking for a roommate, the Admissions Office will email you a roommate questionnaire and database for incoming (or current students) once you have paid your deposit to confirm your attendance. Contact admissions@paloaltou.edu for more information. More information can be found on the Student Success Webpage.
8. HOW CAN I GET AN ASSISTANTSHIP?
Teaching Assistantships: Consortium students can apply to serve as a Teaching Assistant for any class that they have taken in the Consortium. TAs are paid hourly, starting at $20 per hour. There are also TA positions available for Consortium students in the PAU psychology undergraduate and masters programs. Learn more.
Clinical Research Assistantships: Consortium students can serve as research assistants at PAU, Stanford, and the Palo Alto VA. These may be paid or unpaid positions. 1st years will receive a list of available opportunities once they the program. For incoming students, a list of open opportunities will be emailed to you from our Practicum Coordinators soon after Orientation.
Other Assistantships: Consortium students can apply for other paid assistantship positions such as Library Assistants, DCT assistants,
Gronowski Clinic Managers, etc. For open positions, see job board or inquire with department directly.
9. DO I PAY FOR PARKING ON CAMPUS?
Parking is free at the PAU Main Calvin Campus, PAU Mountain View Campus, and Stanford 1070 Arastradero Campus.
There is no free parking at Stanford Quarry Campus. Students will be required to pay for daily parking or may purchase a permit. More information will be provided at Orientation.
10. WHICH LIBRARIES CAN I USE?
Consortium students have access to two physical libraries: the PAU library and Stanford Lane Medical Library. Consortium students also receive a SUNet ID—a unique 3- to 8-character Stanford University account name that identifies them as members of the Stanford community. This ID grants access to the Stanford University electronic library services.
11. DO I NEED TO ATTEND BOTH ORIENTATION DAYS?
Yes. Both days will provide information that is important prior to matriculating. We will answer your burning questions such as, how soon will we find out about supplemental practicum opportunities? Also, it's a fun way to bond with your new classmates!
12. WHEN AND HOW DO I REGISTER FOR CLASSES?
Registration for new students open over the summer. All registration is done through the PAU Portal(MYPAU). Please see the course registration tab for more details.
13. I MOVED, HOW DO I CHANGE MY ADDRESS?
If you relocated to the Bay Area, have changed your personal e-mail address (i.e. finished school elsewhere and now your prior school email is deactivated), or have moved since applying to PAU, please update your address. You may do this by logging into MYPAU and going into "personal
information."
14. WHAT KIND OF STUDENT INSURANCE DO YOU OFFER?
PAU does not currently offer a student health insurance plan, however, TimelyCare is offered to all students. More information on Student Success Page. Students who want to purchase coverage are encouraged to explore options in their state. For questions about accessing health insurance resources, please reach out to the Student Affairs team.
15. WHEN DO I GET FINANCIAL AID DISBURSEMENT?
Refund checks from financial aid are always distributed on the first day of classes. You will receive the credit in the form of a check or a direct deposit (if you have it set up). For more information, please contact the financial aid office at financialaid@paloaltou.edu.
16.. WHAT IS CANVAS?
Canvas is our learning management system at PAU. Canvas is used by all courses to access assignments, syllabus, and class discussion boards.
To access your Canvas courses, you can login through OneLogin at https://paloaltou.onelogin.com/login and then click the Canvas app icon. Or you can simply go to https://paloaltou.instructure.com and it will bring up the OneLogin screen to log in.
If you are having trouble logging into Canvas, please contact PAU support at support@paloaltou.edu
Canvas Overview Video
https://community.canvaslms.com/videos/1124
Accessing Grades
https://community.canvaslms.com/videos/1131
Calendar
https://community.canvaslms.com/videos/1123
More student videos
https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-3891#jive_content_id_Students
More information about Canvas may be located here:
https://www.paloaltou.edu/about/departments-and-offices/library/canvas-lms
If there are any questions that are not answered on this FAQ, please feel free to contact psydoffice@paloaltou.edu.
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